Sport Management – Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education & Human Development

APSM Student Reflects on STEM Pilot Project for Youth Sports

Posted on September 7, 2022Updated: September 12, 2022

This summer, I had the opportunity to be an intern for Clinical Assistant Professor Sarah Brown in her West Dallas pilot program, Pony Connect. Pony Connect is a research initiative that involves using STEM concepts in youth sports. The aim is to engage SMU students with the community. It was a mutually beneficial program because as much as the students are looked up to I have always wanted to get involved with the Dallas community and Pony Connect was the perfect opportunity for me. I was also learning so much from them. They taught me the importance of friendship, trust, and how the smallest details can make the biggest difference. It was incredible to form relationships with these students and watch their personalities shine. I loved seeing their excitement when different activities and projects were introduced.

We would give the students a test before the lesson was taught and then give them the exact same test at the end of the unit. Watching the students’ academic success improve was so rewarding. The fact that we were able to incorporate math or engineering lessons into fun activities and sports drills, showed them that learning can be fun and enjoyable. Overall, I am extremely grateful for the opportunity and so proud of the work Dr. Brown has accomplished. I am excited to watch the program grow!

Essay by Elizabeth Klevana, Sport Performance Leadership major

Pictured below (left) is Iyasu Shaka, who writes his acceptance speech for winning the top prize at the camp, and Isaac Shaka (right), who presents a basketball shoe he made from cardboard, bubble wrap, and foam.

Niche.com Gives SMU High Rating and Highlights Sport Management Program

Posted on September 15, 2020

Niche.com, a ranking site for schools and neighborhoods, places SMU high on its list as one of the top colleges in Texas.

SMU comes in at fourth, and is cited for being one of the Best Colleges for Sports Management (No. 3 of 413). Read more about the sport management program here.

Other ratings include Best Christian Colleges in America (No. 6 of 362), and Best Colleges for Accounting and Finance (No. 10 of 789).

To determine rankings, the site relies on U.S. Department of Education data coupled with reviews from current students, alumni, and parents to judge American colleges on 12 factors, including academics, campus, dorm life, and professors. Niche.com helps parents and students choose colleges and K-12 schools.

Simmons and Cox Develop ESports Business Management Certificate

Posted on September 9, 2020

DALLAS (SMU) – SMU is proud of its history of developing courses that address student interest in emerging markets. In keeping with this tradition, The Cox School of Business and The Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development have worked together to create a new certificate to teach the business management side of the growing esports industry.

The fully online Esports Business Management Certificate, delivered by SMU Professional and Online (SMU PRO), was developed with some of the most accomplished names in the world of esports, including Danny Martin, CEO/Founder of Esposure; John Davidson, Director of Business Development for Esports Trade Association; Daniel Herz, Chief Revenue Officer at Mission Control; and David Chen, board member of the esports North American Collegiate League and partner at Faze Clan. Students will learn from some of the best and brightest entrepreneurs and business owners around the country involved in just about every aspect of esports, including team building, the business of esports (management, finance and risks), fan engagement, streaming strategies, sponsorship and tournament design.

The Cox School of Business is partnering with the Simmons School of Education and Human Development sport management program to offer this pioneering program. “It is only appropriate that we launch this program in Dallas, the birthplace of esports,” said faculty co-director Simon Mak, executive director of SMU Cox’s Caruth Institute for Entrepreneurship and professor of practice. “The industry has developed into a multi-faceted multi-billion-dollar global movement, requiring a new cadre of business people and strategies.”

The certificate program expands upon the existing partnership between the Cox and Simmons schools to deliver the MS degree in Sport Management. SMU is also home to The Guildhall, the premier graduate-level video game development education program in the United States. Mak said the new certificate represents another step forward in SMU’s path to becoming the leading provider of video game development and esports education in the world.

The Esports Business Management Certificate consists of six courses, each lasting six class hours, and combines a mix of self-paced work with weekly live, online meetings with instructors. SMU PRO is currently accepting students for the program starting in Spring 2021 and prospective students can register here. Classes include Esports Ecosystem and Business Models, Fan Engagement and Sponsorship Activation, and Business Development and Revenue Strategies. The certificate can potentially be completed from anywhere in the world in as few as six months.

“The certificate program Esports Business Management provides an opportunity for individuals to be leaders in this nascent global industry. This program demonstrates SMU’s commitment to evolve with the dynamics of the sport industry and provide cutting-edge education,” said faculty co-director Sarah M. Brown, clinical assistant professor of sport management in the Simmons School.

Susan Holland Honored by Students as a Peruna Prof

Posted on December 1, 2014Updated: December 8, 2014

Professor of Practice Susan Holland, who teaches for Simmons’ sport management program in Applied Physiology and Wellness, was honored by SMU students for being an inspiring and outstanding teacher. She received a surprise visit from Peruna, SMU’s mascot, and a delegation of students. See video of the Peruna Profs here. Congratulations!