The four-year renewal celebrates a decade of excellence and partnership between Ohio University and AECOM

ATHENS, Ohio (Dec. 14, 2020) – The Center for Sports Administration at Ohio University, the first of its kind in sports business education, announced [Monday] that AECOM, the world’s premier infrastructure consulting firm, has made an additional financial gift to the Center, continuing the naming rights partnership at the AECOM Center for Sports Administration over a four-year period.

A respected leader in the world of sport business education and research, the AECOM Center for Sports Administration and Master of Sport Administration program currently hold Sports Business’ top global ranking for post graduate sports degrees and is represented by alumni from six continents. Extending the partnership continues to bring one of the leaders in sports business education together with one of the world’s top sports venue design firms.

“In the broadest sense, partnering with a global industry leader like AECOM allows us to enhance all of our program’s international elements and participate at the highest levels across the entire sports ecosystem,” said Matt Cacciato, executive director of the AECOM Center for Sports Administration.

The relationship with AECOM extends beyond philanthropy and focuses on improving the student experience and academic programs, directly supporting several graduate assistantships that are crucial to the Center’s success.

“To have such a respected leader in sports business education contributing to the center’s mission is invaluable,” said Hugh Sherman, dean of Ohio University’s College of Business. “The College of Business and the AECOM Center for Sports Administration are grateful to AECOM for its continued support of our outstanding students.”

Over the years, AECOM executives Jon Niemuth, Steve Terrill, Greg Brown, Brandon Liebst and Sports Ad alumni Mark Payne (PMSA ’17), have supported the Center’s curriculum through guest speaker opportunities and hands-on learning experiences. Ohio University students and alumni have benefitted greatly from having access to AECOM facility projects once they are out in the field as business professionals. Niemuth also accepted an Executive Fellowship with the Center this summer.

“From the beginning of our relationship with Ohio University, we have seen the opportunity to grow and evolve the development of sports industry leaders,” said Jon Niemuth, vice president and director of AECOM’s sports practice. “This extension reaffirms our commitment to leading the transformation of how the sports industry will evolve as the world embraces a post-pandemic environment by integrating our industry expertise to forge a new forward-looking model.”

Since the origin of the relationship in 2008, AECOM and the Center for Sports Administration have worked together on a wide variety of research topics, including a College Athletic Facilities study, published by several news organizations, that used survey results from athletic directors to assist with the prediction of facility investment in college athletics over the next five years.

“As an alumnus of this program, I’m very proud that AECOM is able to continue this partnership. Those in the program have greatly benefitted from the access AECOM provides to its projects,” said Mark Payne, business development director of AECOM’s sports practice. “We have a special place in our hearts for Ohio University and this partnership. We’re Ohio family.”

AECOM continues to support the Center for Sports Administration in many of its efforts, including as an annual sponsor for Ohio University’s Sports Industry Symposium each May, alumni receptions at several major sporting events, and in many other endeavors in and out of Athens, Ohio.

“The AECOM Center for Sports Administration at Ohio University strives to lead in the world of sport business education and research, and I know our faculty and staff look forward to continuing to do so with AECOM for many years to come,” said Ohio University President, M. Duane Nellis.

About the AECOM Center for Sports Administration
The AECOM Center for Sports Administration is one of seven centers of excellence within Ohio University’s College of Business. The AECOM Center is home to some of the world’s best programs for future leaders in sport which include the Athens based Bachelor of Sports Management and Master of Sports Administration programs, and our two online programs, the Master of Athletic Administration and the Professional Master of Sports Administration. The Center for Sports Administration was founded to serve as a resource for students, faculty and alumni to solve the increasingly difficult issues facing the industry. Partnering with companies such as AECOM provides executive talent, real time data and critical financial assistance to support these ongoing collaborative efforts.

About AECOM
AECOM is the world’s premier infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle – from planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, energy and the environment, our public- and private-sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical expertise and innovation, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $13.2 billion in fiscal year 2020. See how we deliver what others can only imagine at aecom.com and @AECOM.

Ohio University Contact:
Alaina Bartels, Interim Communications Specialist, College of Business
(614) 391-9325
abartel@ohio.edu

AECOM Contact:
Rachel Weiss, Senior Communications Manager
(212) 708-6746
rachel.weiss@aecom.com