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College of Applied Human Sciences School of Sport Sciences

Sport Leadership, BA

Flexible and customizable, the Bachelor of Arts in Sport Leadership allows you to pursue your specific area of interest in the world of sports on your terms.

This unique program covers all traditional aspects of the sport industry for potential careers in the high school, collegiate, and professional ranks, but also opens the door to opportunities in youth and club sports, community recreation, and other emerging areas in a $70.3 billion industry.

You’ll shape your academic path based on your interests in the administrative, psychological, social, or educational sides of sport. Along the way, you’ll build leadership and management skills while exploring real-world challenges in the sport industry. You’ll graduate with a leadership philosophy and professional portfolio that reflects your goals and growth.

Your Degree Plan

Person wearing a WV Football sweatshirt carries a football.
The Sport Leadership program introduces you to the core elements of the wide-ranging sport industry, then gives you the flexibility to focus on the areas that match your interests and career goals.

This program allows you to customize your learning experience based on your interests and career goals, offering a flexible path to a range of opportunities in the sport industry.

You’ll build a foundation in leadership theory and apply that knowledge across key areas of sport, including administration, psychology, education, and the social dynamics of teams and organizations. Through this approach, you’ll develop the skills to think critically, lead ethically, and navigate complex professional challenges.

You’ll then choose classes that align with your interests, allowing you to dive deeper into topics like governance, coaching, marketing, facility operations, or athlete development. This flexibility ensures your coursework reflects your goals and prepares you for the specific career path you want to pursue in the sport industry.

You’ll gain real-world experience through a required internship in a sport leadership setting of your choice. This hands-on opportunity lets you apply what you’ve learned while building your leadership skills, confidence, and professional network.

Take advantage of special options related to this major:

Honors

Expand your curiosity and enhance your curriculum through the WVU Honors College. Two programs are offered: Honors Foundations and Honors in Action.

Learn by Doing

Get involved outside the classroom.

As a Sport Leadership student, you’ll:

  • Engage in critical reflection of your leadership strengths and areas for growth through the development of a leadership portfolio.
  • Complete 2 semesters of professional development courses to explore sport industry careers that interest you most.
  • Complete a relevant internship, of your choice and anywhere in the world, for course credit as you prepare for your workforce future.
  • Choose where to spend your time by creating a major that merges the parts of the sport industry that matter to you most.
The Sport Leadership, BA will prepare you for your career with these skills:
  • Leadership skills needed to make a significant and positive impact within the organizations with which you will work.
  • Interpersonal skills that will allow you to build meaningful relationships and communicate your most important ideas.
  • Problem-solving skills to handle life’s toughest challenges and decisions.
  • The ability to navigate the shifting challenges in a rapidly evolving sport industry landscape.

Careers and Outcomes

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

General and Operations Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manage through subordinate supervisors. Excludes First-Line Supervisors.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $102,920

Possible Job Titles: General Manager (GM), Operations Director, Operations Manager, Store Manager

Explore Career

Fitness and Wellness Coordinators

Manage or coordinate fitness and wellness programs and services. Manage and train staff of wellness specialists, health educators, or fitness instructors.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $61,340

Possible Job Titles: Fitness and Wellness Coordinator, Fitness and Wellness Director, Fitness Coordinator, Fitness Director

Explore Career

Coaches and Scouts

Instruct or coach groups or individuals in the fundamentals of sports for the primary purpose of competition. Demonstrate techniques and methods of participation. May evaluate athletes’ strengths and weaknesses as possible recruits or to improve the athletes’ technique to prepare them for competition. Those required to hold teaching certifications should be reported in the appropriate teaching category.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $45,920

Possible Job Titles: Basketball Coach, Coach, Football Coach, Track and Field Coach

Explore Career

Recreation Workers

Conduct recreation activities with groups in public, private, or volunteer agencies or recreation facilities. Organize and promote activities, such as arts and crafts, sports, games, music, dramatics, social recreation, camping, and hobbies, taking into account the needs and interests of individual members.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $35,380

Possible Job Titles: Activities Assistant, Activities Director, Recreation Coordinator, Recreation Supervisor

Explore Career

Further your education

Keep going right here at WVU. Consider these graduate programs:

Meet Your Community

The Sport Leadership family will inspire you.

Gonzalo Bravo

Portrait of Gonzalo Bravo

Professional Highlights

  • Visiting Scholar, Center for Latin American Studies, University of Pittsburgh, 2014-2017
  • Visiting Scholar, Research Center for Sport, Leisure, and Society, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, Brazil, 2016
  • Leadership Institute Fellow, American Kinesiology Association (AKA), 2020
  • Board of Directors, American Kinesiology Association (AKA), 2022-2025
  • Outstanding Long-Form Scholarship, WVU Office of the Provost, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023

Sean Bulger

Portrait of Sean Bulger

Professional Highlights

  • Received the 2016 Ray O. Duncan Award from the state HPERD association for outstanding service and leadership.
  • Co-authored more than 70 books, chapters, and journal articles on physical activity promotion and best teaching practices.
  • Collaborated on over $6 million in external funding to support physical activity in school, community, and family settings.
  • Delivered over 130 presentations at state, regional, and national conferences/conventions.

Ashley Coker-Cranney

Portrait of Ashley Coker-Cranney

Professional Highlights

  • Certified Mental Performance Consultant, Association for Applied Sport Psychology
  • Licensed Professional Counselor, West Virginia Board of Examiners for Counseling

Patrick O. Hairston

Portrait of Patrick O. Hairston

Professional Highlights

  • East Jefferson YMCA, Metairie, LA: Board of Governors Member – Board Chair
  • NCAA Accelerating Academic Success Program (AASP) Selection Committee Member
  • Williamson (WV) High School Athletic Hall of Fame Member

Gary J. Lhotsky

Portrait of Gary J. Lhotsky

Professional Highlights

  • 11 years of professional experience in collegiate athletic facility and event management at Florida State University, Florida International University, and the University of Miami.
  • Extensive experience planning and hosting NCAA, ACC, Big East, TAAC, and FHSA championships.

Peter McGahey

Portrait of Peter McGahey

Professional Highlights

  • Former NCAA Division I and II Women’s Head Coach
  • United States Soccer Federation A Licensed Coach
  • United States Center for Coaching Excellence (USCCE) – Nominating Committee

Dana Voelker

Portrait of Dana Voelker

Professional Highlights

  • Certified Mental Performance Consultant, Association for Applied Sport Psychology
  • Steelcase Education Active Learning Center Grant, 2019
  • WVU Foundation Award for Outstanding Teachers, 2018
  • Association for Applied Sport Psychology Dorothy V. Harris Memorial Award, 2018

James Wyant

Portrait of James Wyant

Professional Highlights

  • WVU Teacher of the Year Award, and CPASS award for excellence in teaching for the 2018-2019 academic year.
  • WV Department of Education Teacher Credentials: Physical Education PreK-Adult, Health Education grades 5-12.
  • Coordinator of the physical education teacher education student teaching capstone experience.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the Sport Leadership major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Tuition and Aid

How much does Sport Leadership at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.

Scholarships

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

Ways to Save

Beyond scholarships, here are other ways to reduce your cost of attending WVU.

Financial Aid

The most important step toward funding your future with financial aid for the Sport Leadership, BA is submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

How to Complete the FAFSA

Start at Another WVU Campus

You can start your career with WVU at another campus and transfer to WVU Morgantown.

Explore WVU System

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

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