Bridging Learning and Experience: BGSU Athletics Announces Transformative Athletic Director's Learning Lab

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - Bowling Green State University Athletics has announced the Athletic Director's Learning Lab in partnership with the University, positioning Bowling Green as an immersive learning experience in the world of sports and entertainment.

The program will further the experience of the more than 400 students annually that work or participate in the athletic experience in a variety of roles within athletics, including operations, marketing, finance, communications, athletic training, graphic design, media production, compliance, academic support, retail, equipment, and game-day management.

This new opportunity will leverage the resources, expertise and real-world environment of Division I athletics into a distinctive experiential learning model that bridges classroom education with industry practice. The new program will enhance the student-experience and career readiness through four primary objectives: creating a structured year-round learning experience; expanding career exploration and professional development; supporting recruitment and enrollment growth; building industry connections.

"The sport and entertainment industry is a multi-billion dollar global industry that continues to grow and change," said Vice President for Athletics Strategy Derek van der Merwe. "BGSU is looking to fully leverage its Division I-FBS athletics program and its coaches, staff, and alum to support the educational experience of students who want to learn more about how to best prepare for career opportunities in this fast-growing industry. BGSU will continue to innovate on how to best leverage its resources to support the academic mission of the university while building successful athletic programs."

This program will allow Bowling Green State University to leverage athletics into a learning environment to elevate the priorities of the university, including enrollment, experiential learning, workforce development, and academic collaboration. By harnessing the multi-billion-dollar industry of sports, the Learning Lab will combine practical applications with real world experience.

The Learning Lab is designed for students across multiple disciplines whose career aspirations intersect with the sports and entertainment industry and will embrace learning by participating in real-world operations under the guidance of experienced professionals.

The BGSU AD Learning Lab will consist of two pathways designed to align with career interests, including a Sports Administration Lab and a Coaching Development Lab. Each lab will have designated areas of focus and involvement to gain experience and learn within a professional environment and will operate as a 10-month program, with recruiting beginning in August and programming starting in September.

Both pathways will host monthly workshops as a main component of the learning experience. The workshops will be led by athletic department administrators, university staff, alumni working in sports and entertainment, professional and collegiate sports leaders or industry experts and guest speakers. These sessions will emphasize insights into career pathways, industry trends, leadership principles, and professional development opportunities.

Students interested in learning more about the program can fill out the online application to receive more information regarding the AD Learning Lab.

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