No abstract

When analysing the current practices in peer-reviewed research and scholarly publications in sports and recreation management, one is required to consider the purpose and audience of the research. The author of the present study suggests that there is a significant gap between the research community of scholars and the practitioners in sports and recreation management. The relationship that currently exists between the author of peer-reviewed works and the reader of the scholarly publications must be redefined. The review of the research and publication process will establish that the research and publication of scholarly manuscripts must be relevant to the daily practices and operations in the professions of sports and recreation management.

Sport Management as an academic field has experienced a significant expansion and transformation over the last four decades. With an increased influence of modernization such as new learning technologies and virtual learning, educators in the field have been forced to adapt instructional design, course delivery, and realign sport management curriculum with the demands of the present-day sport industry. This paradigm shift has fostered significant growth in sport management degree programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Leaders of these programs aim to meet the evolving needs of students in the areas of academic preparation and career readiness. However, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) that serve marginalized populations have experienced challenges as they strive to maintain robust academic sport management programming, foster student engagement, and prepare students for careers in the sports industry. These challenges are heightened in part due to various institutional disparities experienced by HBCUs. The purpose of this theoretical paper is to examine the impact that the paradigm shift has had on HBCU sport management programs and to discuss the outlook of these programs in lieu of modernization within sport management as both a profession and academic field.