The program is closely related to a degree in business, giving students a strong foundation to transfer to a 4 year college or university to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management.
Students gain practical experiences in planning, organizing, leading and evaluating events as they related to sporting events held at Northeastern Junior College.
Students in this program will have hands on learning experiences with Northeastern Athletic events and earn valuable skills to use in other athletic settings. Students interested in this field of study are encouraged to apply for a Game Management position to gain valuable hands on experience. Some work study positions are available in this area.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of coaches and scouts is projected to grow 20 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 39,900 openings for coaches and scouts are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
High school enrollment is projected to increase over the next decade, resulting in a rise in the number of student athletes. As schools offer more athletic programs and as more students participate in sports, the demand for coaches may increase.
Participation in college sports also is projected to increase over the next decade, particularly at smaller colleges and in women’s sports. Many small, Division III colleges are expanding their sports programs and adding new teams as a way to help promote the school and recruit potential students. However, new rules allowing an increase in scholarship payments to student athletes may result in funding cuts to smaller collegiate sports programs and the accompanying coaching staffs.
The growing interest in college and professional sports also will increase demand for scouts. Colleges must attract the best athletes to remain competitive. Successful teams help colleges enhance their reputation, recruit future students, and raise donations from alumni. Colleges, therefore, will increasingly rely on scouts to recruit the best possible high school athletes. In addition, as college tuition increases and scholarships become more competitive, high school athletes will hire scouts directly, in an effort to increase the athletes’ chances of receiving a college scholarship.
However, funding for athletic programs at schools often is cut first when budgets become tight. For example, some high schools within the same school district may combine their sports programs in an effort to cut costs. Still, the popularity of team sports often enables shortfalls to be offset with help from fundraisers, booster clubs, and parents.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the median annual wage for coaches and scouts was $38,970 in May 2021.
Business Program Student Learning Outcomes
