Sport, Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Management
What is the study of Sport, Outdoor Recreation, and Tourism Management?
The professional disciplines that comprise Sport, Outdoor Recreation, and Tourism Management (SORT) prepare students for management and leadership positions in commercial, private, and non-profit settings. It recognizes the intersection of sport, recreation, and tourism and is designed to inform students how to architect, promote, and execute experimental services and products in a variety of contexts. Students will supplement a core curriculum, consisting of a broad educational foundation, with elective courses that support their professional interests. Such flexibility enables students to cater their education to a specific career path, whether it be sport, outdoor recreation, or tourism-focused.
Why SORT at UTC?
UTC's sport, outdoor recreation, and tourism management program offers a unique opportunity to capitalize on Chattanooga's emergent tourism destination status. Voted twice as America's "Best Outdoor City", Chattanooga provides a world-class platform to study sport and outdoor-related tourism concepts. Benefiting from regional growth, the SORT program has developed relationships with local and regional organizations to provide applied learning experiences for students, including both on and off-campus events. By engaging in community-based projects, undergraduate research, field experience hours, and internships, students will graduate with tangible skills and qualifications that will prepare them to work in the following fields:
- local state and national parks and recreation agencies
- professional sport organizations
- destination marketing organizations
- non-profit entities
- youth/interscholastic sport
- collegiate sport
- recreational camps
- event and facilities management
Students gain exposure to diverse sport and recreation settings including but not limited to professional soccer, endurance sport, minor league baseball, collegiate athletics as well as some of the country's most renowned adventure sport events. In recent years, Chattanooga has been the host to premier rock climbing competitions, Regattas, World Champion triathlons, US cycling championships, and NCAA championships.
Graduates of the program will also experience curriculum intended to demonstrate land management and sustainability practices while at UTC. The conscientious planning and conservation of parks, wilderness areas, and public lands ensures that visitation of natural and managed areas are protetced for future generations. Each of these academic offerings present ways students can discover their unique passion for sport, outdoor recreation, and tourism management.
Testimonials
The SORT program has been instrumental to my career, developing as a leader and challenging me to be the best version of myself. From the classes I took to the incredible support of the faculty, and the program gave me the education, resources, and hands-on experiences I need t be successful as I begin my career in Minor League Baseball.
Annaka Hall - Chattanooga Lookout
I am a very hands-on learner and if not if every one of my classes, then the majority of my classes allowed me to do that. Every time anyone asks me about my time at UTC, I always mention how my SORT classes and professors broke me out of my shell, and helped me to succeed where I am now.
Paige Odom - Reflection of Riding Arboretum & Nature Center
The SORT management program is a wonderful community of students. The professors truly care about leadership, guidance and pushing you to set and meet goals. My experience with the SORT program has been invaluable in setting me up for success in my field of facilities management.
Tyler Fly- Finley Stadium