Next fall, Syracuse University will offer a new Master of Science program in sport venue and event management. The 36-credit hour degree will be a part of the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, but it will interact with three other colleges on campus as well.

Those involved with the program will have the opportunity to work with faculty in the School of Information Studies, the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and the Martin J. Whitman School of Management.

Michael Veley, director and chair of the department of sport management, said a few years ago, industry professionals indicated they were looking for more qualified professionals from graduate programs in sport venue and event management.

‘We decided to take the strengths of Syracuse, being the iSchool, Whitman and Newhouse, and combine it with a career field that is looking for students to be the next leaders in the sport industry when it comes to facility management,’ Veley said.

SU first established its undergraduate studies program in sport management in 2005, according to a Jan. 24 SU News release. Those involved in the program were interested in building it further and chose to do so by creating a Master of Science program in sport venue and event management due to indications of growth in the field from industry professionals, Veley said.

The program will be one of only three graduate programs in facility management in the United States, Veley said.

Students in the program will complete nine hours of practicum experience. This practicum will be completed through work with local opportunities in sport venues and event management, according to the release.

Students pursuing the degree will get firsthand experience in the field at SU by working in the Carrier Dome. This is a rare opportunity, given that the Dome is the only collegiate multipurpose domed sports facility, according to the release.

Veley said students involved in the program will experience how the multipurpose Dome functions, rapidly transforming itself for the various events it holds, from basketball games one day to lacrosse games the next.

‘It really will be a living laboratory where these students will get formalized training, and it will also allow them to tap into an established network of partnerships with industry leaders,’ Veley said.

He said strong relationships have already been established with companies in the industry, such as AEG Worldwide and Comcast-Spectacor, from which students will benefit.

‘To be able to tap into those resources and provide our graduate students with a rigorous and unique academic platform is something that we’re very excited about,’ Veley said.

Students in the graduate program will participate in the AEG Worldwide Facilities Leadership Development Program and will be in one of only three universities to do so, according to the release.

Graduate students will gain experience in the Dome in the production and programming of events, marketing, planning, contract negations and coordinating with promoters, among other things, Veley said.

The program encompasses both sports venues and event management because, Veley stressed, there is significant crossover with sports and entertainment. For example, he said, with large sporting events, there must be significant planning of other activities around the main event.

cffabris@syr.edu 

Published on February 7, 2012 at 12:00 pm

Contact Casey: cffabris@syr.edu | @caseyfabris