Student climbing at Wellness Center.

Be Great. Sport and Recreation Leaders Start Here.

Sport and recreation management professionals are needed to meet recreation demands resulting from expanding populations, increased leisure time, greater mobility and changing social attitudes. The curriculum in sport and recreation management is designed to prepare students for professional positions in sport, recreation, parks and outdoor recreation programming and administration. Students interested in sport and recreation management can find a variety of career opportunities including community recreation, federal, state and municipal governmental agencies, private outdoor and tourism enterprises as well as intercollegiate athletic departments and minor and major league sport teams. Students interested in municipal and county recreation agencies, YMCA/YWCAs, Boys and Girls Clubs, college/professional sports, fitness/facility management organizations and therapeutic recreation in clinical as well as community settings, can focus their interests using additional recreation, marketing, accounting, economics, social media, management, entrepreneur and leadership elective courses. This major is based on interdisciplinary approach providing a broad, comprehensive background for leadership and administrative roles in sport and recreation industries. It also provides students a foundation for advanced academic pursuits of a graduate degree in sport or recreation administration or related degree programs. 

Is it for you?
This program will be a good fit if you:
  • Lead an active and healthy lifestyle.
  • Work well with people of all ages.
  • Enjoy the outdoors.
  • Like to play sports.
  • Are organized and a leader.
Career Opportunities
Explore possible career opportunities with this degree:
  • Recreation and activities director
  • Park manager
  • Sport/recreation facility management
  • Sport event management
  • College athletic department or campus recreation (graduate school required)
Recent Employers
Graduates have gone on to work at employers such as:
  • Parks, Recreation and Forestry - City of Brookings
  • LifeScape
  • Parks and Recreation Sioux Falls
  • South Dakota Game Fish and Parks
Internship Opportunities
We have provided the following internship opportunities:
  • Municipal park and recreation programs
  • SDSU Athletic Department
  • SDSU Miller Wellness Center
  • State of South Dakota, Game Fish and Parks
Clubs & Organizations
We offer the following extracurricular clubs to participate in:
  • Sport Recreation and Park Management Club
  • HEROH (Helping Everyone Reach Optimal Health)
Ready to take the next step?
Contact Our Department