imeline for the Field of Sports Management (Kinesiology)

  • Early Beginnings

    he first intercollegiate sporting event, a rowing competition between Harvard and Yale, marks the beginning of organized college sports management in the U.S. (Harvard College, 1852).
  • Early Beginnings

    Introduction of kinesiology as an academic discipline in the U.S. through Dr. Dudley Sargent’s pioneering work at Harvard, where he emphasized the need for structured physical education (McKenzie, 1970).
  • Early Beginnings

    Formation of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), which laid the groundwork for kinesiology and movement science fields and contributed to early development in sports medicine (APTA, 2024).
  • Significant Developments

    Establishment of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA), which helped standardize practices in sports medicine and kinesiology (NATA, 2024).
  • Significant Developments

    American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) develops certification programs, professionalizing exercise physiology and sports training as integral to sports management (ACSM, 2024).
  • Events

    The Journal of Sport Management, one of the first major journals dedicated to sports management, is established, contributing significantly to sports science literature and education (Human Kinetics, 2024).
  • Events

    The Olympic Games in Atlanta incorporate new technology for real-time athlete performance monitoring, an event that propelled the use of tech in sports management and kinesiology (International Olympic Committee, 1996).
  • Significant Associations/Organizations/Journals

    Founding of the North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM), which became a leading organization dedicated to research and practice in the field (NASSM, 2024).
  • Significant Associations/Organizations/Journals

    International Society of Biomechanics in Sports (ISBS) publishes extensive research on sports-related biomechanics, influencing kinesiology curriculum in sports management (ISBS, 2024).
  • Changes in Technology and Education/Certification Requirements

    Introduction of wearable fitness technology like Fitbits and smartwatches significantly influences kinesiology practices, providing new data for sports management (Pope et al., 2019).
  • Changes in Technology and Education/Certification Requirements

    COVID-19 accelerates the shift to virtual learning for kinesiology and sports management students, and online certifications become more common in athletic training and sports management (Zhu & Liu, 2020).
  • Changes in Technology and Education/Certification Requirements

    ACSM updates certification requirements to include knowledge of advanced analytics and sports tech, ensuring sports managers are well-versed in using data for performance improvement (ACSM, 2023).
  • Changes in Technology and Education/Certification Requirements

    Kinesiology and sports management fields experience an increased emphasis on eSports management, reflecting the growing importance of digital athletic events (NASSM, 2024).