NORMAL—NIU got the go-ahead for a Specialization in Sport Management in the physical education program last week by the Board of Regents.

The specialized courses cover managing sports enterprises, facilities planning and use, accounting, finance and marketing.

The physical education department will run the program with its existing money.

The specialization will supplement the Adapted Physical Education and Exercise Physiology/Fitness Leadership programs.

The core courses for the degree, required of all student majors, total between 12 and 13 hours.

Students taking the specialization also must complete 12 hours of specialized work in physical education and business and nine hours in elective courses.

The specialization stems from NIU’s response to the changing “student career interests and patterns of student course choice(s),” the Regents staff report states.

The program will be offered next fall.