OSU Spears School of Business launches institute for sports and entrepreneurship management

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

(December 16, 2009  Stillwater, Okla.) – The Spears School of Business at Oklahoma State University has launched the Sports and Entrepreneurship Management Institute, a research and development unit designed to support students, research, internships, guest speakers and the sports management program.

“SEMI will strive to reach its objectives through four primary areas: research, conferences and symposiums, education, and visibility initiatives,” said Bryan Finch, the director of the SEMI and a visiting professor of management.

In addition, Finch said SEMI will offer opportunities for student growth and development.

“We are also working to support research projects and student sports management internships,” Finch said. “We also presented a sports panel with three great guest speakers from the professional sports world.”

SEMI, in cooperation with Spears School Career Services, recently presented a program titled “The Sports Industry in a Slow Economy: Business Strategies and Career Options.” The program featured Ken Blum, director of logistics for the Kansas City Chiefs; Tommy Smith, director of team business development for the National Basketball Association and Bill Sutton, associate director and professor at DeVos Sport Business Management Program at the University of Central Florida.

For more information about SEMI, contact Finch at bryan.finch@okstate.edu or 405-744-8608.