Earn a sport management degree that comes with a proven network
In sports, a star player is nothing without a solid team. In sport management, a strong network can be the key to your career trajectory. The sport industry is a uniquely tight-knit community where genuine connections open doors to new opportunities. From securing internships to landing your dream job, the relationships you build are often just as important as the skills you gain.
Whether you’re an established professional looking to advance or a recent graduate preparing to enter the field, joining the KU online master’s in sport management* program connects you with the people and resources that matter. Here, networking isn’t an afterthought—it’s built into the fabric of your academic and professional journey.
*This program is a Master of Science in Education (M.S.E.) degree in health, sport management, and exercise science with an emphasis in sport management.
Where KU sport management alumni compete
Our alumni network spans major sports organizations nationwide. Students have worked across franchises, including:
An expansive network, a lasting advantage
As part of KU’s sport management program, you’ll join an expansive team of graduates who are shaping the industry at every level. From professional franchises and global sport agencies to nonprofit organizations and collegiate athletics, Jayhawk alumni are making an impact. This powerful network extends across the country—and around the world—giving you relationships that last well beyond graduation.
Student Mentorship Program: Guiding Jayhawks to success
As part of KU’s commitment to student success, the sport management program offers a unique and invaluable student mentorship program that enhances the student experience and builds valuable connections with industry experts, fostering confidence and creating opportunities.
How the mentorship program works
At the start of the KU Sport Management master's program, each student is paired with an alumni mentor who can provide valuable assistance in various areas:
- Resume review: Your mentor will help review your resume, ensuring your skills and experiences are highlighted effectively
- Networking tips: Gain valuable networking tips and guidance from your mentor, who can share insights on how to navigate the industry
- Introductions to potential employers: Your mentor can make introductions to potential employers, opening doors to exciting career opportunities
- Support and Guidance: Throughout your time at KU, your alumni mentor will offer support and guidance, helping you navigate challenges and make informed decisions to help you reach your mentorship program goals and objectives
How the internship ties it all together
A required course in the curriculum, HSES 880 Internship in Sport Management, provides supervised, directed experience in selected sport management settings. This flexible component can be scheduled in any semester, on its own or alongside another course, so it aligns with your timeline. This built-in, real-world component is the thread you’ll see echoed across many alumni experiences and offers an opportunity to pursue your interests in sport management and apply what you’re learning in class directly to real-world, professional experiences.
Jayhawk alumni profiles
Cori Brungardt, M.S.E. ’23
Team Experience: NBA, Miami HEAT
Position: Associate Manager, Global Partnerships
“Network, network, network… In sports, it’s about who you know just as much as what you know.” - Cori Brungardt, M.S.E. ‘23
Career highlights:
- Completed Corporate Partnerships internship with the Miami HEAT
- Made a key connection to the NBA while giving a KU campus tour
Strengths in action:
Strategic networking, partnership marketing/activation, cross-functional collaboration, relationship-driven communication
Taylor Ashford, M.S.E. ’21
Team Experience: Houston Texans, Atlanta Hawks, Kansas City Royals
Position: Community Impact
“I think the mentorship program has impacted my career by pushing me to go for things I may have looked over before and to look at every single opportunity in the sport industry as a chance to learn, grow, and network—no matter how big or small the role.” - Taylor Ashford, M.S.E. in Sport Management ‘21
Career highlights:
- Completed dual internships with MOKAN Basketball and Kansas City Royals Urban Youth Academy
- Transitioned into pro sports with an offer from the Denver Nuggets; later advanced in corporate social responsibility with the Hawks organization
Strengths in action: Relationship building,youth/community programming, event operations, team leadership
Ty Kelly Martin, M.S.E. ’25
Team: KU Athletics
Position: Graduate Assistant, Student-Athlete Development
“[The sport management degree] was basically everything that I was looking for in MBA, but related to sport.” - Ty Kelly Martin, M.S.E. in Sport Management ‘25
Career highlights:
- Guided student-athletes through leadership retreats and career trips (e.g., adidas headquarters)
- Contributes to initiatives that strengthen athlete well-being and culture, improve leadership pipelines, and demonstrate measurable impact to KU athletics
Strengths in action: Program design, mentoring, facilitation, stakeholder collaboration
Santiago Arias, M.S.E. ’24
Teams: Special Olympics Georgia, Cincinnati Open, Sporting Kansas City
Position: Vice President of Sports and Training
“I don’t go to work thinking, ‘I have to go to work another day.’ It’s fun. I look forward to waking up and going to work.” - Santiago Arias, M.S.E. in Sport Management ‘24
Career highlights:
- Leads a team delivering statewide programming and athlete recruitment
- Supports young sport professionals with internships and mentoring to pay forward his own opportunities
Strengths in action: Operations under pressure, people leadership, mission-driven partnership building
Your KU support team
When you join the Jayhawks, you're joining a powerful network of industry professionals. Our comprehensive career support includes:
Career advising
Utilize the expertise of KU’s career advisors who are ready to assist in finding you opportunities to apply your skills and make valuable connections. Explore career courses, have your resume reviewed, prepare for interviews and salary negotiations, and more.
Jayhawk Career Network
Gain access to career resources, jobs, events, programming, and connections at every stage of your career. The Jayhawk Career Network provides various resources including: career webinars, KU Mentoring+, an alumni job board, and HireJayhawks.com.
Kick off your dream career in sport management
Through interactive learning, collaborative projects, one-on-one mentorship, and career programming, the University of Kansas master’s in sport management* will help you build relationships with classmates, expert faculty, and an alumni network that spans pro teams, collegiate athletics, agencies, and sport nonprofits.
Join us to experience:
- North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM) aligned curriculum
- Industry simulations and projects via Jayhawkville’s real-world scenarios
- A required, customizable internship
- One-on-one alumni mentorship and connections
*This program is a Master of Science in Education (M.S.E.) degree in health, sport management, and exercise science with an emphasis in sport management.
Take the Next Step
Master the Business of Sports
Ready to transform your passion for sports into a rewarding career? Join the ranks of successful KU sport management alumni making their mark across the sports industry.