ECU Sport Management and ECU Athletics Launch Partnership to Strengthen Recruitment and Co-Curricular Collaboration
GREENVILLE, N.C. — East Carolina University’s Department of Recreation Sciences and Sport Management and the ECU Department of Athletics have announced a new partnership designed to enhance the recruitment and professional development of graduate students, student-athletes, and future faculty and athletics staff.
This collaboration will formalize shared efforts in dual recruitment, experiential learning, and co-curricular engagement, creating stronger connections between academic and athletic units on campus.
“This partnership reflects ECU’s commitment to preparing the next generation of sport professionals through meaningful collaboration between academics and athletics,” said Stacy Warner, Graduate Director of Recreation Sciences and Sport Management. “By integrating classroom learning with real-world athletic operations, we’re giving students an unparalleled opportunity to gain experience and build networks within the industry.”
Under the agreement, ECU Sport Management faculty will actively support Athletics through shared recruitment, classroom integration, and communication of experiential opportunities. Faculty will post Athletics’ internship and part-time job openings on Sport Management platforms and highlight them in classes. Athletics staff will, in turn, promote ECU’s Sport Management academic offerings through its official channels, including ECU Athletics’ website and social media, and participate in classroom and event collaborations.
Among the initiatives outlined in the agreement:
This collaboration will formalize shared efforts in dual recruitment, experiential learning, and co-curricular engagement, creating stronger connections between academic and athletic units on campus.
“This partnership reflects ECU’s commitment to preparing the next generation of sport professionals through meaningful collaboration between academics and athletics,” said Stacy Warner, Graduate Director of Recreation Sciences and Sport Management. “By integrating classroom learning with real-world athletic operations, we’re giving students an unparalleled opportunity to gain experience and build networks within the industry.”
Under the agreement, ECU Sport Management faculty will actively support Athletics through shared recruitment, classroom integration, and communication of experiential opportunities. Faculty will post Athletics’ internship and part-time job openings on Sport Management platforms and highlight them in classes. Athletics staff will, in turn, promote ECU’s Sport Management academic offerings through its official channels, including ECU Athletics’ website and social media, and participate in classroom and event collaborations.
Among the initiatives outlined in the agreement:
- Collaborative recruitment: Joint engagement of prospective graduate students, student-athletes, and Athletics staff seeking advanced study in Sport Management.
- Integrated learning experiences: Opportunities for Sport Management students to assist with Athletics events, marketing campaigns, and operational projects.
- Cross-promotion and co-branding: Shared visibility through official ECU Athletics and ECU Sport Management communication channels ( @ecuscdl ), including a dedicated partnership link on ecupirates.com and co-branded ECU Sport Management promotional materials.
“This is a win-win partnership,” said Jon Gilbert, Director of Athletics, ECU Athletics. “We’re excited to work alongside Sport Management faculty and students to build hands-on learning experiences that benefit both our programs and the broader Pirate community.”
The partnership will run for a four-year term, from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029, with the shared goal of expanding opportunities that bridge academic learning and high-level sport industry practice.
For more information about the ECU Sport Management Graduate Program, visit https://hhp.ecu.edu/rssm/msrs_sport/ .
The partnership will run for a four-year term, from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029, with the shared goal of expanding opportunities that bridge academic learning and high-level sport industry practice.
For more information about the ECU Sport Management Graduate Program, visit https://hhp.ecu.edu/rssm/msrs_sport/ .
About East Carolina University’s Sport Management Program
The ECU Sport Management Graduate Program, housed in the College of Health and Human Performance, prepares students for leadership roles in intercollegiate athletics, professional sport, recreation, and event management. The program combines academic rigor with practical experience, fostering the next generation of sport industry professionals.
About ECU Athletics
ECU Athletics supports 18 varsity sports and more than 450 student-athletes competing at the NCAA Division I level. With a strong tradition of excellence and community engagement, ECU Athletics exemplifies the Pirate spirit of teamwork, integrity, and determination.
