Have you ever wondered what it’s like to market a professional sports team? Or what it takes to make the grass at Sports Authority Field at Mile High look so great? Or what goes into producing press releases about Denver Broncos players?
If you’re curious about any of those things – or any of the many other aspects that go into running a professional sports franchise – it might be worth looking into becoming a part of the Denver Broncos Sports Management Institute at Colorado State University. The institute is part of CSU’s ever-expanding exclusive partnership with the Broncos, one of the world’s premier sports franchises.
Program launch Tuesday
CSU is hosting an event to officially launch the Institute at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, at Bob Davis Hall on the south concourse of Moby Arena. Students are encouraged to attend to learn how they can participate in the undergraduate sports administration minor program.
Representatives from the Broncos and CSU will speak at the free event. The first group of student participants in the program, which debuted last spring, will be recognized.
“This will be a remarkable experience for students to hear the thoughts and insights of an outstanding leader in the professional sports industry,” said Albert Bimper, who plays a lead role in connecting students to the program. “The Denver Broncos Sports Management Institute represents an opportunity for students to gain a greater understanding of an intriguing matrix of topics and challenges that face modern industries of sport as well as the potential to gain hands-on experiences that will prepare them for impactful careers in sport.”
Bimper, a former CSU football standout and NFL player, is an assistant professor of ethnic studies and senior associate athletic director responsible for managing and facilitating all diversity and inclusion programs in CSU’s athletic department.
Four colleges represented in program
The program currently offers a variety of courses that count toward a minor in sports management in the Department of Management in the College of Business. Students will have the opportunity for hands-on learning in marketing, video production, public relations, hospitality management, event and conference planning, facilities construction and management, and turf management.
Four colleges – Business, Liberal Arts, Health and Human Sciences, and Agriculture – participate in the program, making it a unique collaborative effort that will benefit students from across the university.
“The program has been met with tremendous support and interest from the CSU community,” Bimper said. “Our ability to establish an interdisciplinary curriculum, the selection of our talented and enthusiastic first cohort of students, and the placement of several students in various internship experiences highlight just a few of the many early successes we been able realize as we continue to build this program.
“We hope for this institute to expand learning to engaging opportunities even beyond the classroom. Students at CSU should definitely be excited for what the future holds for this program.”
Mac Freeman, senior vice president for professional development, and Darren O’Donnell, vice president for business development, will represent the Broncos at the event. Brett Anderson, vice president for University Advancement, and Tom Milligan, vice president for external relations, will join Bimper in representing CSU.
Find information about the Denver Broncos Sports Management Institute at CSU online.
