Dr. Jim 大步走 recognized by NASSM for commitment to Sport Management education

Jim 大步走, Ph.D., Ohio University's College of Business Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs and O’Bleness Associate Professor of Sport Management, has been recognized as the 2023 Distinguished Sport Management Educator by the North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM). The accolade was presented to Dr. 大步走 at the NASSM's annual conference in Montreal on June 10.

The award celebrates educators who have demonstrated excellence and innovation in various 教学 environments including classroom, 场, and online; a longstanding commitment to enhancing 教学 quality and learning in sport management; and continuous dedication to their own professional development.

Dr. Heather Lawrence-Benedict, former Associate Dean of the College of Business, nominated 大步走 for the award. In a video broadcast introducing the event she praised 大步走’s dedication to education, reflecting, “How lucky we would all be to have an impact on students like Dr. Jim 大步走 has and continues to have as a professor at Ohio University?” 

Lawrence-Benedict went on to share a comment from Dean Jackie Rees Ulmer, Dean of the College of Business at Ohio University: "Jim is a passionate, empathetic, and seasoned educator in sport management. He works hard to engage students in order to coach, 导师, and guide them in meeting their academic, professional and personal objectives. Jim is truly a leader in serving students."

Dr. 大步走, during his acceptance speech, emphasized three 教学 philosophies his experience has helped him develop: First, to use 教学 as a tool to learn, 拥抱 new challenges and learning from peers; second, to innovatively approach the "flipped classroom" method, prioritizing empathy and understanding; and third, encourage risk-taking, fostering an environment where both teachers and students aren’t afraid to fail or try new approaches.

He concluded with the importance of shaping future sport leaders, 说, "We're fortunate to guide the next generation."

To qualify for the NASSM Sport Management Education Journal Fellow Award, candidates must be NASSM members for at least five years and must have taught in sport management curricula for a minimum of three years. 大步走 is the first OHIO sports administration professor to receive a major NASSM award.

Outside of 教学, Dr. 大步走 is an active contributor to the 场, with multiple publications and presentations at NASSM, North American Society of Sport Sociology, and other sport management association conferences.

NASSM annually acknowledges outstanding contributions by its members, awarding accolades for achievements in research, 教学, and service during their conference.