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OBU—Oklahoma Baptist University

Sports and Recreation, Sports and Recreation Management Emphasis

A well-managed sports program is important to the success of any organized athletic discipline. With a sports and recreation management emphasis degree, you will gain a strong foundation related to the management of exercise and sports.

You will learn to develop safe and relevant programs while learning to strengthen your communication and interpersonal skills. Our faculty will introduce you to topics such as organization and administration, ethics, promotion of sports programs, managing events, research, sports governance, regulations and more.

Ryan Fisher

Class of 2020

“I am serving as a leader, making decisions, training others, engaging with our church and serving families and youth in the community. OBU set the stage for that.”

Read Ryan’s Story

Benefits of OBU Exercise Science, Sports Management Program

Impact of Exceptional Faculty

As a Sports and Recreation, Sports Management student, you will have personal interaction with professors who have leadership experience in a variety of sports professions. They share their knowledge and expertise with you in a small classroom setting allowing you to enjoy interpersonal relationships. They serve as both professors and mentors, investing in you as you continue to grow and develop in sports and recreation management.

Articulation Agreements with Graduate Level Programs

The Exercise Science, Sports and Recreation program continually seeks partnerships with universities offering admission for advanced degrees. The agreements are designed to align with programs of interest to our students. Currently, OBU has a guaranteed admissions program with Oklahoma State University’s Center for Health Sciences (CHS). The program guarantees two top graduates from OBU’s ESSR program, who apply and meet specified criteria, will be guaranteed admission to the OSU-CHS Master of Athletic Training program pending an interview and selection.

Articulation Agreement Information

Incredible Education, Affordable Cost.

OBU provides a minimum $10,000 per year scholarship to every incoming first-time freshman and $8,000 to every incoming transfer student. And you could qualify for even more financial aid! Many of our students also receive money through federal Pell grants and OBU Bison Grants.

To get an estimate of what your cost to attend OBU might be, please check out our Net Price Calculator. We think you’ll be pleasantly surprised with how affordable an OBU education really is. Especially considering the incredible academic quality, personal mentor relationships with faculty and staff, and strong Christian commitment you will experience at OBU. You won’t find an experience like this anywhere else!

Program Information

Professional Networking Opportunities

Our sports and recreation programs enjoy collaborations and connections with professional sports organizations such as the National Football League (NFL), National Basketball Association (NBA), National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Uncommon Sports Group, Athletic Business Conference, REACHgathering Sports Ministry Conference, and other Christian sports associations.

You will have opportunities for field trips, internships, and association with professionals from these areas of industry to expand your knowledge and scope of the multi-faceted sports industry.

Opportunities for Internship

You can gain valuable experience in the realm of sports, through OBU’s sports and recreation internship opportunities with various organizations such as Oklahoma City Thunder professional basketball organization, collegiate and high school athletics, municipal recreation centers, churches and non-profit agencies and programs. Many of our graduates gain full-time employment with these organizations as a result of their internship.

Integration of Faith

All Exercise Science, Sports and Recreation program courses are taught from a Christian worldview with professors who serve as personal mentors, supporting both your intellectual and spiritual development. Through a small class setting of 15-25 students, our faculty instill a solid foundation of faith and biblical perspective through their instruction and personal lives. Our mission is to invest in you as a future sports and recreation professional who will exemplify Christian principles, and practices with utmost respect for those you serve.

Job Opportunities and Outcomes

Graduates of the OBU Exercise Science, Sports and Recreation program may find satisfying jobs with professional sports organizations, church ministry, youth and sports camps, intercollegiate athletic administration, recreational community youth sports, high performance sports leagues or other related areas of work.

Recent Sports and Recreation Management graduates are now working at:

  • Oklahoma City Parks and Recreation
  • Oklahoma City Dodgers baseball team
  • Oklahoma City Thunder basketball team
  • Edmond Racquet Club
  • Chicken N Pickle
  • Shawnee Country Club

Program Options

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

World-Class Faculty

OBU faculty are experts in their fields and will be with you every step of the way.

Dr. Chad Payn

Dr. Chad Payn

Chair, Division of Exercise Science, Sports and Recreation
Associate Professor of Exercise Science, Sports and Recreation
Faculty Athletics Representative

Dr. Meredith Bailey

Dr. Meredith Bailey

Assistant Professor of Exercise Science, Sports and Recreation

Dr. Jeffrey Hogan

Dr. Jeffrey Hogan

Assistant Professor of Exercise Science, Sports and Recreation

Division of Exercise Science, Sports and Recreation