Karen Boleska, associate teaching professor and director of the sports management program, has worked hard to give University of Missouri–St. Louis students hands-on experiences in the sport industry. (Photo by Derik Holtmann)

Karen Boleska not only launched the University of Missouri–St. Louis’ bachelor’s program in sport management in 2020 but has also guided its dynamic growth over the past five years. The program is built on experiential learning, and students have thrived while volunteering at high-profile athletics events and networking with industry professionals. Alumni can already be found on the sidelines and in front offices across the country.

Why have you emphasized hands-on experiences, and what do students get out of them?

Sports is an industry where hands-on experience isn’t optional – it’s essential. That’s why we prioritize real-world learning in everything we do. Whether it’s ticket sales, operations, marketing or event planning, our students are actively doing the work, not just learning about it in theory. These experiences help them build confidence, gain professional clarity and stand out in a competitive job market. Our students graduate with resumes full of high-impact opportunities. Through our internship program, service-learning hours and partnerships with major events and organizations, they’ve worked everywhere from Arch Madness and the Final Four to the Super Bowl, World Cup and Olympics Trials. To be able to take students to these iconic events and watch them thrive is incredibly powerful for them, for me and for our university

What was it like to build the sport management program from the ground up?

This has been one of the most rewarding and energizing experiences of my career. It gave me the opportunity to shape every part of the curriculum, partnerships and student engagement with intention and purpose. From day one, the focus was on making sure our students graduate with not just knowledge but the tools, skills and connections they need to succeed in the sports industry.

What’s in store for the program?

The future is bright. Our partnership with St. Louis CITY SC continues to expand, giving our students hands-on roles with one of the most innovative MLS organizations in the country. We’re also proud to be nationally ranked in ticket sales at the National Collegiate Sports Sales Championship, where we placed fifth overall and third in speed selling last year. That kind of national recognition helps open doors for our students on a broader level. We’re preparing to launch a master’s program and deepen our partnerships across the industry. We’ve also added a second faculty member. Our mission remains the same: to give students every opportunity to succeed in sports and to help them find their place in it.

This story was originally published in the fall 2025 issue of UMSL Magazine. If you have a story idea for UMSL Magazine, email magazine@umsl.edu.