CANTON -- SUNY Canton has received state approval to offer a new bachelor's degree program in sports management, beginning this fall.

Several students who were anticipating the program's approval have already enrolled to begin courses this fall semester. The New York State Education Department and the State University of New York recently approved the business administration in sports management program, in the college's School of Business and Liberal Arts.

Areas students of the major will explore include leadership for sports professionals, sports finance, legal issues of sport, event management, operations and facilities management, public relations, customer service, communications and marketing.

"As the only college within a three-hour radius to offer this type of degree, we anticipate a lot of eager students looking to enroll in the program," SUNY Canton President Joseph L. Kennedy said.

Some professional sports organizations the college has established potential internship opportunities with are the Chicago Blackhawks (NHL), Syracuse Crunch (AHL), Binghamton Mets (AA Baseball), New Orleans Zurich Classic (PGA golf), Manchester Monarchs (AHL) and others.

Program Director and author of the program is Diane Para, Ph.D.

The Bureau for Labor Statistics says it expects a 12 percent increase in employment for all educational administrators, including athletic directors. The Bureau also anticipates a 10 to 20 percent growth in sport-related and administrative managers' positions over the next 10 years.

Para says the bachelor's degree will also be good feeder program for students going for degree programs such as a master's in sport management, an MBA, or a sports law degree.