UA Lecture Series in Sport Management Covers NASCAR to Sports Ethics

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The 2006 University of Alabama Distinguished Lecture in Sport Management series offers the University and West Alabama communities a range of speakers covering NASCAR to sports ethics.

The UA lecture series is a collaborative effort of the College of Human Environmental Sciences and the College of Education.

Each lecture is designed to discuss various aspects of sports administration and management. The lectures are free and open to the public.

All fall lectures will be held in the Child Development Research Center on campus.

The schedule includes:

“Issues in the Sports Industry – NASCAR,” Friday, Oct. 6, 11:30 a.m., room 0033 B&C, presented by Whitney Shaw, president of Street & Smith’s Sports Group.

Street & Smith’s is the country’s largest publisher of NASCAR-focused magazines and newspapers. One of the fastest growing niches within Street & Smith’s is its sports business group, which publishes the weekly magazine, Sports Business Journal, and the Sports Business Daily, an executive news briefing.

“Utilization of Electronic Media for Communication versus Revenue Source,” Friday, Oct. 13, 11:30 a.m., room 0033A, presented by Butch Henry of Crimson Tide Sports Marketing.

Henry is considered an expert analyst in marketing, broadcasting and promotion of intercollegiate sports. Henry has performed a number of roles in his career, including stints at Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Iowa State, Louisiana Tech, Oklahoma State, Southern Illinois, the Big Eight Conference office, and serving as director of athletics at Florida International University.

“Myth and Mirth in the NCAA Infractions Process,” Friday, Oct. 27, noon, room 0033 B&C, presented by Professor Gene Marsh, James M. Kidd Sr. professor of Law at UA.

Marsh is a member of the NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions (1999-present) and chair (2004-06). At the UA Law School, he teaches contracts, commercial transactions, consumer protection and business organizations; in the UA College of Commerce, he teaches a graduate course for accounting majors and a course in the Executive MBA program.

“Role of Ethics in Business & the Sports Industry,” Friday, Nov. 17, 11:30 a.m., room 0033 B&C, presented by Robert Thurber, vice president of merchandising for Sysco Corp. in Houston.

Thurber is directly responsible for more than $20 billion in purchases that include all protein, dry groceries, produce, global procurement, frozen, bakery, convenience and all non-foods such as paper, chemical, supplies and equipment. He is a board member of the Houston Council on Alcohol & Drug Addiction and the Produce Marketing Association, and on the board of directors of the Bo Jackson Foundation.

For more information about the lecture series, contact Dr. John Vincent, jvincent@bamaed.ua.edu, Dr. Ken Wright, kwright@bama.ua.edu, or go to www.sportmanagement.ua.edu.