BUFFALO, NY – The Richard J. Wehle School of Business at Canisius University is adding three new programs to its academic offerings beginning in fall 2022. Canisius is recognized for having the premiere business school in Western New York, a distinction achieved by the combination of innovating student learning in the classroom and leadership development experiences and opportunities offered to students outside the classroom. The new academic programs being offered by the Wehle School of Business are: sport management (bachelor’s degree), sport administration (master’s degree) and sport product development (master’s degree).
The college’s undergraduate program in sport management combines sports marketing, ethics, psychology and law with the business and economics know-how that professional sport agencies crave in young candidates. Students in the program will graduate with the education and real-world experience needed to become players in intercollegiate athletics, amateur and professional sports, sports marketing and management, and recreation and non-profit community organizations.
Students who earn a bachelor’s degree in sport management can further their education in the industry by pursuing one of two new master’s degree programs now offered by the Wehle School of Business:
The master’s degree in sport administration is an online program that offers a flexible, hands-on curriculum and emphasizes emerging sport industry trends, contemporary communication skills and cutting-edge technologies used in sport administration. Coursework coupled with internships, travel abroad opportunities and industry events provide students with a broad education in business and leadership, all essential in the global sports industry.
Students can also choose to pursue a master’s degree in sport product development. Taught in an entirely online format, this program emphasizes product and market strategy across six focused segments within the sporting goods industry: competitive team sports, extreme sports, fitness, individual sports, indoor games and outdoor recreation sports. Core classes focus on understanding the athlete and consumer insights that drive global markets. Coursework also emphasizes the tactical process of creating sport products, such as innovation, design, development, merchandising, commercialization, cost and manufacturing.
Originally housed in the college’s School of Education and Human Services, all three academic programs consistently rank among the best in the nation and produce graduates who secure successful careers at the intercollegiate, amateur and professional sports levels, as well as in facility and event management.
“We are excited to welcome new colleagues and the excellent programs they have built into the Wehle School of Business,” said Dean Denise M. Rotondo, PhD. “There was already an existing connection between the business and sport programs, as we share many alumni, as well as a steadfast commitment to helping students launch rewarding careers. But by moving the sport programs into the Business School, we now have a unique opportunity to partner on new and emerging fields in the sports business industry.”
The Richard J. Wehle School of Business develops career-ready business leaders who are prepared to make ethnical business decisions that reflect that interests of multiple stakeholders. With its partners in the Western New York business community, the school’s academic programs emphasize immersive, experienced-based learning activities that reflect the interconnected and global nature of business.
One of 27 Jesuit universities in the nation, Canisius is the premier private university in Western New York. Canisius prepares leaders – intelligent, caring, faithful individuals – able to pursue and promote excellence in their professions, their communities and their service to humanity.
