NYU is home to talented students throughout all of its schools. The university is well known for the acting program in the Tisch School of the Arts and the finance program in the Stern School of Business — just to name a few — but one major that is often left out of the equation is the sports management program in the School of Continuing and Professional Studies.
New York City houses 15 professional sports teams, which may contribute to the allure of the sports management program. What better way to pursue a career in sports than immersing oneself in a city that is filled with sports teams? Since the inception of the Preston Robert Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism and Sports Management in 1995, enrollment has skyrocketed. There are roughly 500 students in the Tisch Center — 200 of those students are enrolled in the sports management program.
Within the sports management undergraduate program there are four concentrations students may choose from, including event management, organizational management, sports law and sports media.
“I wanted to do something I love as a career,” said Richy Cruz, a sophomore in the sports management program who is concentrating in sports law. “And I love sports and wanted to be a lawyer, so it was the perfect way to get involved with both.”
Cruz, a second-year wrestler, came from a competitive academic background like most of his peers. But his passion for sports is unique to the rest of the students majoring in sports management.
After sitting down with Robert Boland, NYU’s academic chair of Sports Management and co-professor of sports law at the NYU School of Law, it is clear that an intense dedication to sports is something common among students and faculty alike. Boland is also a sports lawyer as well as being the co-founder of Global Athletic Management Enterprises, and has worked at major sporting events. He wanted to share his passion with students and began teaching at NYU, where he has been pleased with the programs the university offers.
“The best part of the Tisch Center program is that there aren’t trade-offs,” Boland said.
Sam Friedfield, a junior in the sports management program who is concentrating in sports law, aspires to work at a sports agency after college or attend law school.
“I feel like I’m preparing myself for what I want to do,” Friedfield said. “I’m currently reading an old NFL case, and I’m reading it as if it were my own case.”
“What NYU does best is that we’re the academic institution that brings the real world to the academy,” Boland explained.
What makes this program one of a kind is how students have countless opportunities for success. With varied and numerous internship opportunities and a career-based curriculum founded by experienced faculty, students will be well prepared to join the world of sports.
A version of this article appeared in the Tuesday, Sept. 24 print edition. Sean Billings and Alex Diaks are contributing writers. Email them at [email protected].
