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The Liberty University Department of Hospitality & Sport Management works diligently to provide Hospitality & Sport Management students with a unique educational experience not found in other academic programs.

You will have opportunities to attend sports-related conferences, industry trips, and learn from guest speakers in class.

SMGT 497 Course

Conferences

Sport, Event, and Venues of Tomorrow (SEVT) Conference

Students spend three days in Columbia, South Carolina attending this conference. The conference includes various speakers in the sport and entertainment industry, networking opportunities, as well as a career fair. Students are offered an opportunity to participate in an undergraduate case study competition as well.

Applied Sport Management Association (ASMA) Conference

During this conference, students participate in research sessions, key note presentations, and networking activities. The emphasis is for students to leave the conference with a better understanding of the importance of research to the sport industry.

Industry Trips (SMGT 497)

Each semester, our experienced faculty and staff are able to share their industry connections with students during industry trips. Our professors host a group of students outside of Lynchburg to network in other cities with various sports teams and organizations.

These trips are a great opportunity to not only network with professionals in the industry, but also to connect with other sport management students. Below are some descriptions of the different trips you can partake in.

Florida – Students spend a week in and around central Florida meeting with a variety of different professionals. The sport organizations include: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Disney’s Wide World of Sport, Daytona International Speedway, Tampa Bay Vipers, and the Florida Panthers.

Washington D.C. – Students spend four days touring Washington D.C. while visiting the St. James sport complex, NFLPA, Monumental Sports, and the Washington Redskins.

Atlanta – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, Atlanta United, Georgia Teach University, University of West Georgia, College Football Hall of Fame, and the Atlanta Braves.

Guest Speakers

From your first sport management class, you will meet and hear from various professionals in the sports industry. Guest speakers share their experiences and expertise on a wide range of topics from hospitality to an athletic directors’ duties.

Guest speakers share advice on numerous topics, giving you the opportunity to ask questions about their careers. This is a great opportunity to network with Lynchburg’s local sport management industry!

“One of my fondest memories was winning the Case Study competition at the SEVT conference and beating three-time champion Ohio University. Also, I loved how the department required every student to partake in an internship. This allowed us to obtain real-world experience before we even graduated. I loved being a part of this department and am blessed by all the connections I have made not only in the industry but with other students and professors as well.”

“This department has built into the program real industry experiences and connections that you don’t find at many other Universities. Because of it, I have already established relationships with professionals in the NFL, NBA, throughout college athletics, and even worked at the NFL Players Association. They laid out a clear vision of what is required to pursue my passions moving forward, and it has led to blessings of success for me.”

Questions?

Call (434) 592-7321 or email SchoolofBusiness@liberty.edu.