Prominent sport management researcher will give lecture

LAWRENCE - The University of Kansas Department of Health, Sport, and Exercise Sciences has announced Andy Gillentine, a prominent sport management researcher, as keynote speaker at the inaugural Mawson Scholar Speaker Series.  

“The Future of the Sport Industry: Following the Yellow Brick Road” will be presented at 7 p.m. Oct. 13 in 3139 Wescoe Hall. The event is free and open to the public.

Gillentine has conducted research projects for numerous sport organizations that have resulted in more than 50 publications, four books and over 100 national and international presentations. 

“We are thrilled to launch the [Marlene] Mawson Scholar Speaker Series as Dr. Mawson has provided a tremendous opportunity to bring leading scholars in sport management to KU,” said Jordan Bass, associate chair of the health, sport and exercise sciences department. “Dr. Andy Gillentine is an incredibly dynamic presenter, and we are excited to have him speak to KU’s students, faculty, staff and greater community.”

Gillentine currently serves as a professor and associate dean for the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management at the University of South Carolina. He also served the university as chair of the sport and entertainment degree program, among other roles for various institutions.

In 2012, Gillentine was named Distinguished Sport Management Educator by the North American Society of Sport Management, becoming only the fifth person ever to receive this honor. In 2009, he received the Sport Management Outstanding Achievement Award from the National Association of Sport and Physical Education. Additionally, he served as athletic director and coach for more than 15 years and is nationally recognized for his expertise in sport management curriculum and program development. Previously, he was selected as a founding commissioner of the Council of Sport Management Accreditation. 

The Mawson Scholar Speaker Series was established in summer 2016 and designed to bring a prominent sport management scholar and presenter to KU each fall.

“The scholar speaker series for sport management at the University of Kansas promises to be a significant series for the enhancement of students and faculty in the discipline,” said Marlene Mawson, former sport management faculty member. “As a professor emeritus and past president of the North American Society for Sport Management, I am pleased to provide funding for this inaugural event and its annual continuation.”

For more information on the Mawson Scholar Speaker Series, can be found here. 

The Department of Health, Sport, & Exercise Sciences is housed in the School of Education, a nationally ranked school preparing educators and health/sport/exercise professionals as leaders.