CEHD News

The College of Education and Human Development’s Sport Administration Program is proud to announce its participation with the PGA of America for the 37th Ryder Cup.

Approximately 50 Sport Administration (SPAD) students and faculty supervisors will be working hand-in-hand with the PGA of America Corporate Hospitality staff throughout the Ryder Cup, Sept. 16-21, 2008 .

Corporate Hospitality at the Ryder Cup is one of the largest hospitality ventures integrated into a major sporting event. More than 250 corporations will be hosting thousands of clients in their private chalets, Captains Clubs and open-air viewing suites.

The week’s activities will provide SPAD students an opportunity to gain “real world” experience of a major international sporting event. Students will be guest services liaisons for all corporate hospitality areas and will work closely with PGA staff to ensure corporate clients, their guests, and event spectators have a remarkable experience while attending the Ryder Cup.

Additionally, the SPAD program has developed an event management course to coincide with the Ryder Cup. The class focuses on marketing, management and customer service of major sporting events with an emphasis on hospitality, sport tourism and economic impact and measurement. Students in the Event Management class will be able to simultaneously study and experience the growth and development of sport tourism as an economic engine and the emergence of corporate hospitality as an integral component of a major sporting event.

The 37th Ryder Cup will take place at the Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville. Practice rounds for the event are scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 16 - Sept. 18. Match play is Friday, Sept. 19 - Sept. 21.