FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 6, 2006

MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY – Department of Kinesiology (Sports Administration)

Contact: Dr. Robert Zullo (662) 325-9281 or zullo@colled.msstate.edu

MSU Student Organization in Sports Management host inaugural "Graduate School Night"

STARKVILLE, MS.

Should I pursue the MS or the MBA?  In-state or out-of-state?  How do I pay for it?  Should I get involved with the school's athletic department or focus on academics?  Should I pursue a minor?  Do I need an internship?  Are my grades high enough?  GMAT or GRE?  How do I chose the best program?  What if I don't get in?  What does NASSM-approved mean?  What are the secrets of picking the right graduate school for a degree in sports administration/sports management? 

Undergraduate students learned the answers to these questions and more in visiting with a panel of graduate students from Mississippi State University.  The event was hosted by S.P.O.R.T.S. and the panel consisted of Tony Schmidt, April Berry, Sean McGlothlin and Chad Thomas.  The four graduate students serve as the leaders of the student organization in Sports Management.  Each brought  a wide range of answers to the table to help the confused undergraduate student find direction in pursuing the right program.  

 "We identified a need on the part of undergraduate students who are trying to decide whether the next chapter of their academic career involves graduate work," noted Dr. Robert Zullo, faculty advisor to S.P.O.R.T.S. and a professor in the Sports Administration graduate program.

Zullo added that, "hopefully this first Graduate School Night provided some answers to the undergraduates and enabled them to realize that many students face similar questions when making decisions about graduate school.  In theory, we hope that students make informed decisions that can help lead to a low cost, high quality educational experience that best prepares them for their pursuit of a career in the sports business industry.  Our four panelist are to be commended for volunteering their personal time to share their experiences."

A similar event is expected to be held again in the spring in conjunction with many other career informative events that will be hosted by S.P.O.R.T.S.  Students interested in learning more about S.P.O.R.T.S. can visit the organization's website at http://www.msstate.edu/org/sports/

For more information contact Dr. Robert Zullo at 662-325-9281 or log on to the sports administration program website at http://www.kinesiology.msstate.edu