51ĀŅĀ× and AECOM Extend Naming Partnership for the AECOM Center for Sports Administration
The four-year renewal celebrates a decade of excellence and partnership between 51ĀŅĀ× and AECOM
The AECOM Center for Sports Administration at 51ĀŅĀ×, the first of its kind in sports business education, announced Monday that AECOM, the centerās namesake, has made an additional financial gift to the Center that will extend over a four-year period.
āThe AECOM Center at 51ĀŅĀ× strives to lead in the world of sport business education and research, and I know our faculty and staff look forward to continuing to do so with AECOM for many years to come,ā said President M. Duane Nellis.
A respected leader in the world of sport business education and research, the AECOM Center for Sport Administration and Master of Sport Administration program currently hold Sports Businessā top global ranking for post graduate sports degrees and is represented by alumni from six continents. Extending the partnership continues to bring one of the leaders in sports business education together with one of the top sport venue design firms in the world.
āIn the broadest sense, partnering with a global industry leader like AECOM allows us to enhance all of our programās international elements and participate at the highest levels across the entire sports ecosystem,ā said Matt Cacciato, executive director of the AECOM Center for Sport Administration.
The relationship with AECOM extends beyond philanthropy and focuses on improving the student experience within the Center and its academic programs. AECOM directly supports several graduate assistantships with the Center for Sports Administration that are crucial to the Centerās success.
āTo have such a respected leader in sports business education contributing to the centerās mission is invaluable,ā said Hugh Sherman, dean of the College of Business. āThe College of Business and the AECOM Center for Sport Administration are grateful to AECOM for its continued support of our outstanding students.ā
Over the years, AECOM executives Jon Niemuth, Steve Terrill, Greg Brown, and Sports Ad alumni Mark Payne (PMSA ā17), have supported the Centerās curriculum through guest speaker opportunities and hands-on learning experiences. Niemuth also accepted an AECOM Executive Fellowship with the Center this summer. OHIO students and alumni have benefitted greatly from having access to AECOM facility projects once they are out in the field as business professionals.
āFrom the beginning of our relationship with 51ĀŅĀ×, we have seen the opportunity to grow and evolve the development of sports industry leaders,ā said Jon Niemuth, vice president and director of AECOMās sports practice. āThis extension reaffirms our commitment to leading the transformation of how the sports industry will evolve as the world embraces a post-pandemic environment by integrating our industry expertise to forge a new forward-looking model.ā
Since the origin of the relationship in 2008, AECOM and the Center for Sport Administration have partnered at a professional level as well. The two organizations have worked together on a wide variety of research topics, including a College Athletic Facilities study, published by several news organizations, that used survey results from athletic directors to predict facility investment in college athletics over the next five years.
āAs an alumnus of this program, Iām very proud that AECOM is able to continue this partnership. Those in the program have greatly benefitted from the access AECOM provides to its projects once they are in the field as business professionals,ā said Mark Payne, business development director for AECOMās sports practice. āWe have a special place in our hearts for 51ĀŅĀ× and this partnership. Weāre Ohio family.ā
AECOM also continues to support the Center for Sports Administration in many of its efforts, including as an annual sponsor for 51ĀŅĀ×ās Sports Industry Symposium each May, alumni receptions at several major sporting events, and in many other endeavors in and out of Athens, Ohio.