UWindsor’s Master of Sport Management and Leadership has once again been named the best graduate program in sports business in all of Canada.

The recently released yearly ranking by SportBusiness, a global consulting and analysis firm which puts out a leading trade publication in the field, says the UWindsor program is not only the best in Canada, but among the best in the world.

“We are proud of these results and continuing to be recognized with the elite company of programs around the world,” said Terry Eddy, the faculty’s graduate admissions co-ordinator and an associate professor in the program.

“Our program offers internship opportunities and independent research projects that provide a gateway to the industry by balancing theory and practice,” Dr. Eddy said. “This international recognition validates our approach to giving students a career-focused education in sport management and leadership.”

For the ratings, SportBusiness surveys graduates and course leaders. Rankings are based on such factors as the quality of teaching, quality of curriculum, return on investment, industry networks, and extracurricular initiatives. It also looks at the employability of graduates.

“This is a quality program, and the fact we rank well in this global survey year after year attests to that,” said Linda Rohr, dean of the Faculty of Human Kinetics. “Our low student-to-faculty ratio and small class sizes allow for one-on-one guidance and mentorship from our outstanding faculty members, and, as this survey shows, it pays dividends for our graduates.”

Alumnus Keifer Bell, senior customer success manager for digital sports marketing firm Rover, was part of the 2020 graduating class SportBusiness surveyed for this year’s ranking.

Born and raised in Moncton, NB, Bell chose the UWindsor program for the internship opportunities that set it apart. During his Master’s studies, Bell interned with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, an experience he says launched his career.

“I landed a job with the Toronto Blue Jays right after graduation,” Bell said. “Having that internship on my resumé is so valuable. It makes it easier to get your foot in the door.”

Bell exudes enthusiasm as he talks about his current job with Rover. Working remotely from his home in Halifax, Bell directs mobile app marketing campaigns to the fans of more than two dozen professional football, hockey, and basketball teams.

He says he has his UWindsor degree to thank: “The program’s industry connections set me up for this.”

SportBusiness has been publishing its analysis of graduate programs since 2012. The University of Windsor routinely ranks No. 1 in Canada.

The annual ranking is geared toward students weighing which program to choose.

Read SportBusiness's ranking edition here. 

—Sarah Sacheli