Creating a highly academic, graduate-level business program for athletic administrators.
The Sports Management Institute was founded by Mike McGee, former Athletic Director at the University of Southern California and the University of South Carolina. McGee’s concept was developed in 1989 as a joint venture of the athletic departments and business administration schools of the founding universities — Southern California, Notre Dame and North Carolina. The goal was to create a highly academic, graduate-level business program for athletic administrators.
Over the past three decades, the Sports Management Institute has evolved. Beginning with the 1997-98 class, the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) joined SMI as a participating sponsor of the program. In 2000, the Institute added two sponsoring institutions — The University of Michigan and The University of Texas. In 2006, the University of Georgia became a sponsoring institution of SMI.
Upcoming Sessions
2024-25 Program
June 16 – 21, 2024 – University of Michigan
January 23 – 25, 2025 - University of Texas
2025-26 Program
June 15 – 20, 2025 – University of Notre Dame
January 22 – 24, 2026 - University of Georgia
2026-27
June 2026 – University of North Carolina
January 2027 – University of Southern California
Testimonials
Nicki W. Moore, Ph.D.
Vice President and Director of Athletics, Colgate University
Many of us are not formally trained in the complexities of professionally managing an athletics department, and SMI helped to fill that gap. To go through this intensive learning experience with a set of diverse colleagues was challenging, rewarding and fun. Keeping up with the great things my classmates are doing in the profession has underscored the impact SMI has had on all of us.
Bubba Cunningham
Director of Athletics, University of North Carolina
Attending the Sports Management Institute was a very rewarding experience, with many relationships I formed with my classmates remaining strong today and have been beneficial throughout my career.
Jim Ross
Vice President, Business Development, New York Yankees
The Sports Management Institute was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that everyone interested in a career in sports should take advantage of. One of the most beneficial aspects was the opportunity to interact both formally and informally with other class members. I learned a great deal about my own area of professional responsibility as well as the duties of my colleagues. I would most certainly recommend SMI to my peers in professional sports.
Questions?
Use the form below to contact us with any questions you may have about the Sports Management Institute Executive Program.