New sport program will draw athletes

Posted on 03. Mar, 2010 by juanantonio in Biz/Tech

JANE SPONAGLE
BIZ/TECH REPORTER

Humber’s new sport management program, which starts at the college next fall, will be great for attracting and retaining athletes, said athletic director Doug Fox.
“Just from athletes in our programs who want to transfer into it, it’s one of those things people have wanted for a long time here,” Fox said.
“I think we’re going to see a retention thing with this as well. Athletes are going to want to stick around.”
Athletes are not the only ones who are interested in the program.
First-year exercise science and lifestyle management student Ritesh Nayak is among those considering the program.

Jackson Christian, left, and Ritesh Nayak work out in the gym. (Jane Sponagle)

“I want to open a sport facility, so this course will be helpful for me to get that goal,” he said.
The sport management program will complement the recreation and leisure program and give students the chance to delve into the business of sports, said Rick Simone, recreation and leisure program co-ordinator and future sport management program co-ordinator.
“It’s really understanding the business behind the sport industry,” he said.
The three-year advanced diploma program prepares students to work in different areas of the industry like professional or amateur sport organizations, sport governing bodies, sport facilities and intra-collegiate athletics, Simone said.
Graduates could find themselves working at places like Tennis Canada, Ontario Hockey, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, the Olympics or the Pan-Am games.
Simone said he wasn’t worried about filling the 50 spots expected for the first class.
“Relative to other programs, the number of applications is fairly strong.”
He said it is a great time to start this program at Humber because “even with the economic downturn, the sports scene is quite healthy.”