UC Irvine Extension Offers Sports Industry In Society Course

IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- This fall, University of California, Irvine Extension will offer a new online course, "Sports Industry in Society," designed specifically for individuals looking to gain a complete understanding of how integrated the sports industry is within today's society. As the first course in the upcoming Sports Management Specialized Studies Program, the course will address multiple disciplines, such as business and psychology, and their applications to sports management.  Whether participants are interested in managing an athlete, team or enterprise, currently working in the field or actively holding positions as coaches or players, this course will provide essential knowledge, expertise and insights to the inner workings of the sports field. The online course will run from Nov. 4 to Dec. 15.

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"The sports industry is complex and constantly expanding, requiring professionals with an in-depth knowledge of how this field has and will continue to evolve over time," said Melanie Mitchell, director of management, marketing and business programs at UC Irvine Extension. "At the culmination of this course, participants will be equipped with the necessary skills to successfully plan for a sports career in various capacities."

The course will take a holistic approach to the study of the industry across all of its disciplines, functions, economics, leaders, and organizations. The role of sports in the modern corporate, social, economic and recreation worlds will be examined against race, gender and class in the context of contemporary times. Topics will also cover the roles played by athletes, coaches, administrators and fans in the sports industry.

Course instructor Dr. Robert Olszewski is the Managing Principal of the Emerson Management & Consulting Group, Inc. and has an extensive background in sports marketing, most recently serving as the Director of Business Development for the LPGA Tour's Ginn OPEN.  He has also negotiated numerous contracts and agreements with past clients that include corporate brands, professional athletes, events and multi-media partners. Other industry involvement includes volunteering as the national spokesperson and media relations chair for the Butkus Award® presented by the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando, Inc. and serving as a sports agent for two different sports management agencies representing professional athletes and properties.

For more information on the new online course or to register, please visit http://unex.uci.edu/courses/sectiondetail.aspx?year=2013&term=FALL&sid=00435 or call (949) 824-5414.

About UC Irvine Extension: University of California, Irvine Extension is the continuing education arm of UC Irvine. Through thousands of courses and programs offered on campus, online and on-site, UC Irvine Extension helps adult learners reach their career advancement and personal enrichment goals —and recently celebrated 50 years of providing universally accessible, university-level learning to local, regional and global communities. Learn more at www.extension.uci.edu, or join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/uciextension.

About the University of California, Irvine: Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a top-ranked university dedicated to research, scholarship and community service. Led by Chancellor Michael Drake since 2005, UC Irvine is among the most dynamic campuses in the University of California system, with nearly 28,000 undergraduate and graduate students, 1,100 faculty and 9,000 staff. Orange County's largest employer, UC Irvine contributes an annual economic impact of $4.2 billion. For more UC Irvine news, visit www.today.uci.edu. 

CONTACT: Justine Mrsich
714-573-0899 x 238
[email protected]

SOURCE University of California, Irvine Extension