The full version of this article was published in the June 15th edition of Sports Business Journal and can be found here.
As professors, we’re paid to read the tea leaves, and few days go by when the NCAA isn’t the topic of discussion (usually critical) along with cynical blogs, click-bait blasts and stinging lawsuits. For lack of a better phrase, this association of nearly 1,300 colleges and universities is equal parts enigma and polarizing lightning rod.
But while we’ve seen a lot of negative flak fired at the 109-year-old NCAA about financial windfalls, educational purview and debates on athlete compensation, there’s been little written about the coin’s other side.
So we wanted to ask, Has the objectivity pendulum swung too far? Is it possible to turn the blowtorch down for one day and emphasize the NCAA’s attributes? Can we write about holistic good (namely, that the organization helps more than 450,000 student athletes receive some form of financial assistance to attend institutions of higher learning) without appearing soft?
Maybe.
So, in honor of David Letterman’s retirement, we decided to present a top 10 list that shades the NCAA in a slightly different light:
To read the full article and see Dr. O'Reilly's full top ten list, please click here.
Why Choose Ohio University Sports Administration?
1. The Curriculum: The MBA/MSA combination
The two-year MBA/MSA program prepares students for leadership positions by combining the business teaching of the Ohio University MBA program with sport-specific knowledge during the MSA program. This degree combination recognizes the growing complexity of the sports, facility and entertainment industries, and reinforces Ohio University's commitment to preparing students for the leadership challenges of the future. SportBusiness International recently ranked the program the #1 Postgraduate Sports Course in the World.
The MBA phase of the program uses a problem-based learning style, immersing students in collaborative projects and working situations that are commonplace in the business world. Students learn basic business concepts in a real-life context, and develop skills in communication, collaboration and teamwork that are essential for success, while developing their ability to be creative, take initiative, and accept personal responsibility for their actions.
The MSA program combines classroom and practical experience to prepare individuals for leadership positions in the sport industry. An interdisciplinary approach gives students the freedom to choose courses of personal interest and build a foundation of knowledge in their desired career fields.
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