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Maryville University has announced a new academic concentration will be offered in Sport Entrepreneurship through the Rawlings Sport Business Management program, beginning in January 2016. The concentration will feature internships and practical experience in partnership with Stadia Ventures, a St. Louis-based incubator and investment firm for local sports startup companies. Maryville is an investor in Stadia Ventures.

“Maryville University not only teaches entrepreneurship and innovation, we believe in it and invest in it for our students and the community,” said President Mark Lombardi, PhD.

Stadia Ventures works with entrepreneurs, industry partners, and investors in the sports industry. Maryville courses will be taught by company co-founder Art Chou, who previously served as senior vice president of product for Rawlings, head of golf club research and development at Titleist, and technical editor for Golf Digest. Chou helped launch Maryville’s Rawlings Sport Business Management program.

“The sport entrepreneurship concentration is valuable and unique because the courses are tied to a company engaged with innovative sports businesses,” said Jason Williams, director of the Rawlings Sport Business Management program. “This gives students excellent access to the industry, and a front row seat to new product development. Students will learn alongside professionals who work on a daily basis with sports company start-ups.”

The Sport Entrepreneurship concentration is yet another example of partnerships created by the Rawlings Sport Business Management program that provide students with hands-on experience in real-world projects, and allow them to hone market-ready skills prior to graduation. Students experience differing work environments and develop a network of industry contacts through these partnerships, giving them a competitive edge in the job market.

For more information, please contact Jason Williams, EdD: 314.529.6847; jwilliams4@maryville.edu