From youth sporting leagues to international events such as the Olympic Games, sporting events draw millions of visitors and billions of dollars each year locally, regionally, and globally. In fact, Street and Smith’s Sportsbusiness Journal reports that in the United States alone sports is a $213 billion industry.

Sports and Tourism Studies, an associate in science (A.S.) degree program, will initiate the preparation students will need to tap into this expanding, profitable industry. Graduates will be prepared to transfer to four-year institutions in pursuit of baccalaureate degrees in sports management or sports marketing or tourism-related areas. Finger Lakes Community College is one of the only community colleges in the State to offer this unique program.

The A.S. Sports and Tourism Studies program initiates the preparation needed for transfer to bachelor’s degree programs in sports management or marketing or tourism-related areas. Students select an advisement area on which to focus their studies, choosing from:

  --> sport studies
  --> tourism studies

FLCC students will learn through classroom instruction, integrated case studies, and visits to venues and destinations. Conferences and special opportunities to learn from high profile sports professionals play a key role in our commitment to providing a field-based education.

In recent years, students have traveled to attend Management in Sports and Events Conferences held in Chicago and Salt Lake City, attending sessions presented by notable sports professionals such as Bob Costas of NBC, famed sports agent Scott Boras, and Vice President of Marketing for Anheuser-Busch Tony Ponturo. Additionally, students have attended the Travel Industry of America Marketing Outlook Forum (TIA) and the New York State Governor’s Conference.

For many students, these experiences bring “life” to the program, connecting the case studies and theories learned in the classroom to real-life examples. This experience can often help a student confirm his or her choice of advisement area, while at the same time developing a broader view of these exciting and diverse career fields.

In addition, students in this program may enroll in our Honors courses, open to all qualified students, which provide enhanced educational experiences for students with outstanding ability. Successful completion of Honors courses or an Honors Certificate may increase student transfer options to four-year institutions.

Four-year institutions that offer bachelor’s degrees in these areas include SUNY Brockport, SUNY Cortland, Niagara University, St. John Fisher College, Ithaca College, Clemson University, Medaille College, University of Massachusetts, St. John's University, and others.

According to sportscareers.com, career opportunities in the industry are diverse. Salary levels range from $25,000 to more than $150,000 per year and vary greatly depending on segments of the industry, geographical location, education levels, management experience, and promotional and public relations skills.

According to Street and Smith’s Sportsbusiness Journal, sports is the sixth largest industry in the nation. Students who select the sport studies advisement area will be exposed to sports as a worldwide phenomenon.

Graduates who earn bachelor’s degrees in sports management or marketing will be prepared for positions such as sports marketing account manager, event planning and conference manager, facility manager, ticket operations director, sporting goods marketing and sales manager, and sponsorship sales manager. Annual starting salaries for bachelor’s degree holders will range from $28,000 to $35,000.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employment opportunities in the field are expected to grow as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2010. Employment will grow as public participation in sports continues to increase as a form of entertainment, recreation, and physical conditioning.

Job growth will also be driven in part by the growing number of “baby boomers” approaching retirement who are expected to become more active participants of leisure time activities in the growing areas of sports and experienced-based tourism.

The tourism industry is one of America’s largest employers with 19 million total jobs. According to the New York Department of Labor Division of Research and Statistics, there are 57,000 tourism-related businesses in the State, employing 779,000 workers and generating $18 billion in wages. Additionally in the year 2000, domestic and international visitors to New York State spent $36.3 billion on tourism related services, ranking the state third behind California and Florida.

With the merging of tourism, sports, and entertainment, the continued growth of this industry and career opportunities are assured. Growth has occurred in the areas of destination planning/management; event management; and adventure and experience-based visitor experiences.

Having evolved from a travel agent stereotype, tourism is a profession that increasingly requires preparation at the bachelor’s degree level in the areas of management, marketing, planning, and finance. Graduates who earn bachelor’s degrees can expect starting salaries ranging from $25,000 to $35,000 in positions such as convention sales manager, casino and theme park marketing manager, director of tourism, event and conference manager, meeting planner, director of conference services, and urban tourism planner.