Join fellow athletes, sports fans, and promoters as you explore how to turn your passion for sports into a viable career off-the-field. Star athletes don’t gain fame and fortune accidentally and big-time sporting events don’t just happen. It’s extremely hard work, and you’ll see why as you get an insider’s view of the twists and turns of the sports world at the National Student Leadership Conference on Sports Management.
College Credit is Available for This Program
The National Student Leadership Conference has a unique partnership with American University to offer college credit for our high school summer programs. The American University is distinguished as a premier global university and known for turning “ideas into action and action into service.” As a result of this NSLC/AU alliance, students attending the NSLC’s summer programs for high school students have the opportunity to take college credit classes taught by American University faculty at all NSLC locations. This credit option enhances your education within the framework of your program experience, without interrupting NSLC activities.
Read more about earning college credit through your NSLC program.
Program Highlights
Client management simulation
Guide your client through career pitfalls and successes during an interactive client management simulation
Visit Major Sports Venues
You'll go behind-the-scenes at some of the nation's biggest sports venues, includng Yankee Stadium, Madison Square Garden, and Soldier Field.
The Business of Sports
Discover the business side of sports as you explore the interaction among entrepreneurs, major corporations, and your favorite teams.
Dates & Locations
Fordham University
Northwestern University
Chicago, IL
- June 28 – July 6
- July 10 – July 18
Manage the Career of a Star Athlete
Hands-on Simulations
The NSLC on Sports Management high school program uses an interactive approach to learning that gives you an opportunity to immerse yourself in the challenging complexities of the sports world. You and your team will experience the ups and downs of managing the career of a star athlete during a realistic client management simulation. You will control your client’s fortunes as you negotiate contracts, land sponsorship deals, and manage public opinion.
Our college-level lecture series will give you a foundation of knowledge on sports management, including:
- Introduction to the Business of Sports
- Sports Research and Broadcasting
- Sports Law
- Event Management
- Sponsorships and Corporate Development
- Marketing and Public Relations
Meet Sports Industry Leaders
While at the NSLC, you will meet with and learn from leaders in the world of sports and entertainment management. In past years, NSLC students have heard from special guest speakers including top executives and managers from the International Olympic Committee, D.C. United and the Staten Island Yankees.
Jessica Berman
Vice President, National Hockey League
Aaron Cohen
Emmy Award-Winning Sports Writer and Producer, HBO, ESPN
Marc Raiken
Senior Director of Athlete Marketing & Sales, Wasserman Media Group
Carla Varialle Esq.
Partner, HRRV
Nathaniel Walsh
Senior Director, ESP Properties
Rick Resnick
VP for Sports Marketing, Univision
See behind-the-scenes at major stadiums
Behind-the-Scenes Tours
An important part of the NSLC is seeing the sites around some of our nation’s greatest cities. These trips are designed as both sight-seeing tours and exclusive educational trips specifically tailored to the area of Sports Management:
- MetLife Stadium
- Madison Square Garden
- MLB Studios
- New York Yankees or Mets Game
- Radio City Music Hall
- Rockefeller Center
- Times Square
- Stadium Visit (NRG Stadium, Minute Maid Park, or Toyota Center)
- Houston Astros Game
- Space Center Houston
- Kemah Boardwalk
Leadership Training
At the heart of the NSLC is a leadership curriculum designed to build concrete leadership skills that will help you succeed. From the beginning of your program you will learn to work as a team during an exciting Ropes Challenge Course. Interactive lectures and small-group workshops will give you an opportunity to build upon your strengths and minimize your weaknesses.
Leadership topics tailored to the Sports Management program include:
- Personality Styles and Group Dynamics
- Conflict Resolution
- Negotiation
- Public Speaking
- Intrapersonal Communication
Your NSLC tuition is all-inclusive. Your tuition covers course materials, housing, on-campus meals, social events and transportation throughout your program.
We offer a comprehensive scholarship program to assist qualified students with the cost of NSLC tuition, based on financial need, academic merit and extracurriculars.
Fundraising is a great way to raise funds to contribute toward your NSLC program tuition while also forging relationships with leaders in your community.