This capstone course focuses on the leadership principles for directing programs and facilities in sport management. This course is an analysis of effective management strategies and the body of knowledge associated with pursing career in sport management. The course will introduce students to sport management career opportunities in the sport industry, and it encourages students to see sport principles as they apply to management, leadership style, communication, and motivation.
Meeting Times, Location, & Course Delivery Details
Course Format: Face-to-Face
This course is taught in face-to-face. You will attend class in the physical classroom during the regularly scheduled day/time. You will be expected to attend class, participate in in-class activities, and independently complete homework outside of class by assigned due dates.
Contact Information
Upon successful completion of this course…
1. The student will be able to explain the use of needs assessment, feasibility, and impact studies in the
facility planning process.
2. The student will be able to explain the concept of risk management and the significance of legal issues
event and facility management.
3. The student will be able to identify and understand conventional and innovative methods used to finance
sport events and facilities.
4. The student will be able to discuss key principles associated with managing a sport facility and event.
5. The student will be able to explain managerial issues (recruitment, selection, compensation, negotiation,
volunteers, hospitality, employee diversity) which are specific to sport facility and event management.
6. The student will be able to demonstrate knowledge of how to schedule, promote, and maintain sport
facilities and events.
Required Text:
Managing Sport Facilities, 5th Edition (2025) by Gil Fried (Author), Matthew Kastel (Author) ISBN: 9781718223806
Course Description:
Provides the requisite knowledge to become an event and facility manager. Preparation for becoming an effective manager of the unique environment specific to the athletic arena. Students will also be required to perform field experience in event management.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Students will explore principles and practices of planning, funding, and managing sport events and venues, including those for professional, amateur, and collegiate sport events, commercial, recreational, and club sports. Upon completion of this course, students will:
1) Understand the use of needs assessment, feasibility, and impact studies in the facility planning process.
2) Understand the concept of risk management and the significance of legal issues event and facility management.
3) Identify and understand conventional and innovative methods used to finance sport events and facilities.
4) Understand key principles associated with managing a sport facility and event.
5) Understand managerial issues (recruitment, selection, compensation, negotiation, volunteers, hospitality, employee diversity) which are specific to sport facility and event management.
6) Demonstrate knowledge of how to schedule, promote, and maintain sport facilities and events.
SM 430, Section 1: Sport Facility and Event Management
Tentative Course Schedule *Note Schedule is subject to change. Always check Blackboard for updates!
| Week | Module Title/Topics | Assignments | Assignments Due |
| Week 1 8/25-8/27 | Week 1—Introduction/Facility History |
| Posted on Blackboard Due by Sunday 11:59pm *Late Assignments will Not be accepted! |
Week 2 9/1-9/3 | Week 2—Facility Management |
| Posted on Blackboard Due by Sunday 11:59pm *Late Assignments will Not be accepted! |
Week 3 9/8-9/10 | Week 3—Employee Management Hermann Madness Groups Assigned |
| Posted on Blackboard Due by Sunday 11:59pm *Late Assignments will Not be accepted! |
Week 4 9/15-9/17 | Week 4—Facility Planning Hermann Madness Groups |
| Posted on Blackboard Due by Sunday 11:59pm *Late Assignments will Not be accepted! |
Week 5 9/22-9/24 | Week 5—Facility Site/Design Hermann Madness Groups |
| Posted on Blackboard Due by Sunday 11:59pm *Late Assignments will Not be accepted! |
| Week 6 9/29-10/1 | Week 6—Facility Construction Hermann Madness Groups |
| Posted on Blackboard Due by Sunday 11:59pm *Late Assignments will Not be accepted! |
Week 7 10/6-10/8 | Week 7—Facility Systems Hermann Madness Groups |
| Posted on Blackboard Due by Sunday 11:59pm *Late Assignments will Not be accepted! |
| Week 8 10/13 NO CLASS-10/15 | Week 8—Facility Technology Hermann Madness Groups |
| Posted on Blackboard Due by Sunday 11:59pm *Late Assignments will Not be accepted! |
| Week 9 10/20-10/22 | Week 9—Marketing Hermann Madness Groups |
| Posted on Blackboard Due by Sunday 11:59pm *Late Assignments will Not be accepted! |
| Week 10 10/27-10/29 | Week 10—Finance and Budgeting Hermann Madness Walkthrough |
| Posted on Blackboard Due by Sunday 11:59pm *Late Assignments will Not be accepted! |
| Week 11 10/28-10/30 | Week 11—Legal Responsibilities Hermann Madness Event |
| Posted on Blackboard Due by Sunday 11:59pm *Late Assignments will Not be accepted! |
| Week 12 11/3-11/5 | Week 12—Developing and Implementing a Security Plan |
| Posted on Blackboard Due by Sunday 11:59pm *Late Assignments will Not be accepted! |
| Week 13 11/10-11/12 | Week 13—Facility Preparation for an Event |
| Posted on Blackboard Due by Sunday 11:59pm *Late Assignments will Not be accepted! |
| Week 14 11/17-11/19 | Week 14—Mid event and Post event Facility Management |
| Posted on Blackboard Due by Sunday 11:59pm *Late Assignments will Not be accepted! |
| Week 15 | Final Project due | Final project due |
*Course syllabus subject to change.
Assignments and Evaluations:
Assignments are to be typed (12pt font; Times New Roman, 1” margins on all sides) and submitted to the instructor at the beginning of class on the assigned day (unless otherwise noted below). Due Dates: All assignments for each week are due by Sunday at 11:59 p.m. Late submissions are not accepted, and no excuses are allowed for late submissions. Make up exams may be arranged with the instructor in advance of the scheduled exam date. Assignments will not be accepted via email unless specified by the instructor.
1. Discussion Posts
Students will complete a number of assignments based on class discussions, readings, and other instructional resources, such as a scheduling resolution project.
2. Facility Analysis
Students will research a sport facility and describe its history, aims, financial resources, organizational structure, facilities and services, accessibility, marketing and promotions, security, and future directions. Written reports and oral presentations are required.
3. Informational Interview
Interview with one person in a position you would like to attain or in an organization/area of interest. This will give you an opportunity to present yourself in a professional setting, interact with a professional in the field, and develop questions for the interview. This interview should be done in person. All interviews must be approved by the instructor before they are conducted. This assignment will be submitted to the instructor through BLACKBOARD.
4. Assignments and Case Studies
This assignment requires each student to answer the corresponding questions at the end of the chapter. This assignment will be submitted to the instructor through BLACKBOARD.
5. Volunteerism
Students will be expected to volunteer at a sport organization that the professor will provide. Students will have multiple options as to which day(s) he/she would like to participate (may include night and weekend).
6. Facility Risk Audit
Students will contact a sport facility with which they can speak with a facility manager with regard to risk management strategies at his/her facility as well as conduct an inspection of the facility. Once permission to conduct the audit has been received from the facility supervisor, students will complete the contract and return a copy to the professor. Students will contact the facility supervisor to arrange a time and date for the interview and inspection. Students will then create a power point presentation summarizing their findings and present it to the class.
7. Examinations
A mid-term and final exam will be offered throughout the semester. The exams may consist of matching, multiple-choice, true-false, and/or essay questions. The final exam will be cumulative, although emphasis will be placed on the topics covered since the previous exam.
8. Group Assignment – Hermann Madness
In small groups, students will develop an event management plan for a sport or corporate event. Students will plan, implement, and evaluate an event. As part of the planning process, students will conduct a needs assessment, feasibility study, devise an event organizational structure, and develop event marketing, risk management, and evaluation plans. Groups will prepare and present an event management plan addressing four major areas: (a) Event description, (b) marketing, (c) risk management, and (d) evaluation.
The grading scale will be as follows:
Assignment Points (100%) Due on or before
- Discussion Posts 15% Weekly
- Facility Analysis Presentation 15% TBA
- Homework Assignments/ Case Studies 20% TBA
- Volunteerism 10% Weekly
- Examinations
- Mid-Term 20% TBA
- Final
- Hermann Madness 20% TBA
The final grade in percentage terms will be converted to a letter grade per the following scale:
100-93% A 76.99-73% C
92.99-90% A- 72.99-70% C-
89.99-87% B+ 69.99-67% D+
86.99-83% B 66.99-60% D
82.99-80% B- Below 60% F
79.99-77% C+
Instructor Course Policies
Attendance Policy
The College accepts these four categories of excused absences:
- Activities in which the student serves as an official representative of the College (e.g., musical performances, athletic contests, field trips).
- Personal illness, with documentation by the College nurse or a physician, if possible. In relation to students experiencing COVID19 related symptoms or illness, students should be provided an excused absence and should not be penalized for electing not to attend physical classes in these instances.
- Family or personal emergencies.
- When severe weather makes travel to campus dangerous.
Wilmington College recognizes that reasonable attendance requirements will vary somewhat between disciplines, professors and even an individual's courses. The purpose of this policy is to ensure all concerned are clear about expectations in a given course. Faculty members are expected to accept the College's basic definition of excused absences in their individual policies and monitor attendance, but faculty members may also choose to accept other absences as excused (entirely at the discretion of each faculty member). Students are expected to be responsible for informing faculty members about excused absences (including documentation, if required) and for arranging to make up all work missed because of absences. An excused absence in no way removes this responsibility or obligates the professor to provide a student with special assignments or opportunities.
Good communication between students and faculty members is essential in cases of excused absences. Students are responsible for initiating this communication and in a timely manner as possible. Students who will have to miss class to represent the College should provide schedules of these absences to the faculty member as soon as they are known. In all cases, it is the student’s responsibility to discuss excused absences with affected faculty members and to provide documentation of the excused nature of the absence, if the faculty member requires it.
Students should notify the Office for Academic Affairs (ext. 240) if they are unable to attend classes for one week or more (e.g., due to surgery, extended illness, etc.). Extended absences (up to two weeks without notification to the Office of Academic Affairs) can result in immediate administrative withdrawal from the College. In addition, during any term, a pattern of non-engagement or four or more academic alert notices in multiple classes can also result in immediate administrative withdrawal or suspension. Non-engagement is defined as missing classes, refusal to adhere to College policies, non-attendance, non-responsiveness to attempts to communicate, or a combination of these factors.
Students in this course will be rewarded for missing no more than 2 unexcused absences. Students will be penalized for any unexcused absences after their second occurrence. This deduction will equate to 5 points per excessive absence from student’s Class Preparedness score.
Note: Use of cellphone, improper use of laptop, and “excessive” bathroom breaks qualify as an unexcused absence.
Late Assignments Policy
Late assignments will NOT be accepted and will be given a 0. Students are responsible for completing all course requirements and for keeping up with all activities of the course whether they are present in class or not. Students are responsible for keeping a copy of their work, on their computer or hard copy, until they have received a grade for all written assignments.
Classroom Behavior
Students and faculty share responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning environment in the classroom. Civility and respect create a safe and productive atmosphere in which students can achieve.
The definition of disruptive behavior is at the reasonable discretion of the faculty member teaching the class, and determination of whether a specific behavior is disruptive resides within the authority of the faculty member. Examples of disruptive behavior include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Showing disrespect for and displaying poor manners toward any faculty member or other students.
- Disruptive or inappropriate use of technology and electronic devices in the classroom, such as Cell Phones, Headphones, and Computers.
- Persistent speaking without being recognized or interrupting other speakers.
- Persistently entering class late or leaving early without an excuse or the faculty member’s permission.
- Threats, harassment, or personal insults of any kind directed toward any faculty member and other students.
A faculty member has the discretion to impose sanctions for disruptive behavior in their classrooms. Some of the sanctions may include: a formal apology, dismissal from the class in which the disruptive behavior occurs, and/or referral to Student Affairs for resolution of the situation.
Dismissal from class due to poor student behavior will result in an unexcused absence.
Academic Integrity Policy
Students are reminded that presenting the work, ideas, writing, or concepts of others as one’s own constitutes a serious violation of academic integrity and fundamental academic trust. Such behavior is unacceptable at Wilmington College. Any instance of academic dishonesty may result in a failing grade on the assignment and may, at the instructor’s discretion, result in failure of the course. The instructor will enforce Wilmington College’s policies regarding academic misconduct, including applicable penalties and guidelines related to the use of artificial intelligence (AI). All students are expected to adhere to the College’s Academic Honesty Policy as outlined in the Undergraduate Catalog and the current Student Handbook. These policies address examinations, plagiarism, classroom behavior, and the procedures for handling allegations of academic misconduct.
Accessibility And Disability Services
ADA statement that reads, Americans with Disabilities Act: If you have a documented disability that requires accommodations, contact Spencer Izor, the Associate VP for Compliance: spencer.izor@wilmington.edu, 937-481-2365, or visit her office in College Hall, Room 306.
Institutional and Program-Level Policies
All exams will follow the Final Exam Schedule. Students scheduled to take three or more final examinations on one day may request to arrange their examination schedule, so no more than two exams occur on one day.
Requests for early or late exams are considered only under extreme circumstances. Prior to the exam period, the student must file a written request on the Early/Late Exam Form available in the Student One Stop Center, Academic Records, and on the WC portal. The form must be signed by the Instructor and the Academic Dean, approving the alternate exam time. This process must be completed prior to the scheduled exam period.
Undergraduate: FA26 Final Exam Schedule
Out-of-class Work Expectation A minimum of 2 hours of out-of-class student work is expected for each hour of in-class time for traditional face-to-face courses. For online and hybrid courses, the combination of face-to-face time and out-of-class work should be equal to 3 hours per credit hour per week. |
Instructional Course Delivery Definition of Courses |
Academic Integrity Policy The use of generative AI is prohibited except where expressly allowed in assignment instructions. Academic Integrity Policy |
Class Attendance Policy Institutional Class Attendance Policy |