SMWW's Sports Business Management Course continues to help graduates get their feet in the sports door. Instructors Bret Polvorosa and Tom Leip do an excellent job helping students develop the skills necessary for jobs in the front office of a team and, more importantly, to excel once they get there.

This one-of-a-kind course is one of our most popular because of its record of successful placement and the extensive network that SMWW has with teams all over the world.

This month's success story is Mr. Alex Nuschke. Alex had previously enrolled and completed another course with SMWW, and he returned to both continue his training and tap into our network of contacts and get a job in the front office of a sports property. Now he’s on his way to Las Vegas to work for the Gladiators of the Arena Football League (AFL). SMWW recently caught up with Alex to find out more about his experience in the course and his new position.

SMWW: What was your experience like in the course?

AN: "I truly enjoyed all aspects of the course. I found the material to be very interesting, the chats useful, and the instructors quite helpful. I looked forward to each new assignment; something I can safely say I've never done before with any other school program, ha ha."

SMWW: How did the course help you get it or help you prepare for the new job?

AN: "It enhanced my resume a great deal, to the point where it is now specifically tailored towards a position in professional sports and stood out among the rest. As a result, I was able to land an interview with the Director of Ticketing and Sales of the Las Vegas Gladiators, and I knew all the right things to say." [Alex also interviewed with the Portland Trail Blazers and the Los Angeles Clippers before choosing the position with the Gladiators.]

SMWW: What is it like to get that first job in sports?

AN: "It feels great! I had been applying for jobs in sports for over four years with no results. I enrolled in this course and got a front-office job in arena football within seven weeks!"

SMWW: Would you recommend the Sports Business Management course to someone else? And if so, why?

AN: "For those looking to break into the business side of sports, the SBM course is the way to go. You will learn the intricacies of the sports industry itself and practice hands-on sales & marketing techniques used by today's professional sports organizations."

SMWW: Anything else that you would like to say about the course, the instructors, or SMWW in general?

AN: "I found Mr. Polvorosa and Mr. Leip's real- world perspectives of working in sports to be quite interesting. They preached positive reinforcement and helped point me in the right direction."

If you would like SMWW to help you with your sports career through the Sports Business Management Course, visit our website to register or call us today at 877-SMWW-NOW or 503-445-7105

Each month, SMWW's agency grows with new Agent Advisors and new clients. Contracts are being signed daily, and our worldwide reach and contacts continue to grow. The Athlete Management Course is one of SMWW's most popular because the opportunity to break into the agent business and sign a big client with the help of SMWW is highly achievable.

Agent Advisor Byron Williams joined our team just a few months ago, and with some first-rate networking and hard work, Byron has dived right into the business and had players calling to ask for his help. SMWW was there to advise him on how to proceed and Byron proved to be a quick learner. This month, we chatted with Byron about his experience in the course and his new role in the Agent Advisor Program.

SMWW: Talk about your experience in the Athlete Management Course.

BW: The Sports Agent course was very challenging and always informative. The live audio chat discussions with Dr. Lashbrook and the SMWW staff were always exciting and also involved education to the harsh reality of the business and what you have to do to be successful. The course really helped prepare me for the personalities in the sports business, from the GMs to the players themselves, and I was also well prepared to land my first major client. It wasn't easy, but I was well taught.

SMWW: Talk about your first major signing. How did it feel? How has it helped you to continue in the business?

BW: Walt Waters (6'11", 280 lbs) of Cleveland State is my first major signing whom came by referral of a friend I played pro basketball with in China almost 10 years ago. Referrals are something that the course stresses because sometimes you will be surprised who you can get connected to. Walt is definitely a diamond in the rough. I helped him get into the USBL right away where he displayed his talent. He has now signed to play in the D League for this season so it is very exciting. Signing Walt has opened many doors for me already and it has really motivated me to go out and get more clients this next season.

SMWW: What type of support have you gotten from SMWW?

BW: Bill Kent (SMWW's Director of Operations) has been an educator in this process. He helped me avoid some major potholes. You must be constantly learning in this business. As a young agent, you need to be able to lean on mentors when you need advice. At the same time, you can't expect them to do your work for you. You must get out there and meet people and continue to network and build relationships.

SMWW: Would you recommend the course and the Agent Advisor program to others who want to get into the business? If so, why?

BW: I would strongly advise someone to take the Athlete Management Course, especially if you seek a challenge and a high level of networking. I'm glad I did it! It's the best investment I've ever made with the quickest turnaround for profit. That's what happens when a good agent advisor combines with a great athlete!

SMWW: Anything else you’d like to say?

BW: No matter how many coaches or GM's tell you "No" on your client, keep going. If you choose the right clients, the offers will come. I've heard several "Nos" on Walt Waters, but now my phone won't stop ringing as his NBA D-League draft date nears. The buzz is out on Walt Waters and I planted the seed. Never give up! Next Stop, NBA!!!

If you are interested in becoming an agent advisor with Sports Management Worldwide, you should enroll in the Athlete Management Course. To get started today go to our website or call 877-SMWW-NOW or 1-503-445-7105

One of SMWW's Baseball GM & Scouting Instructors, Maury Brown (an author from Baseball Prospectus) has launched a new website for those interested in keeping up on the business side of baseball: bizofbaseball.com. The site boasts a vast collection of documents and resources, including stadium design renderings for the new Yankees and Mets stadiums, the MLBPA's regulations for player agents, the all-important Collective Bargaining Agreement, and up-to-the-minute news about the business of major-, minor-, and independent-league baseball.

To visit the bizofbaseball.com, select this text...

Here is what others are saying about Maury Brown:

"Maury Brown's coverage of the business of baseball is the quickest and best way I know for fans to stay on top of all the issues that their local newspaper can only hope to touch on. He makes burning issues in distant cities instantly relevant to fans' local concerns." - Stan Kasten - President - Washington Nationals

"The Biz Of Baseball is a great resource for those that work within MLB or the Minor leagues. It provides timely news and resources for those that work in professional baseball." - Tal Smith - President of Baseball Operations - Houston Astros

"Until somebody figures out a way to resurrect Branch Rickey, Maury Brown knows more about the baseball biz than any man alive." - Rob Neyer - ESPN Senior Baseball Writer and Author

"Maury Brown is one of the few analysts who can break down the economics of the game with clarity and precision. The Biz of Baseball is a must-read for the well-informed fan." - Alex Belth - Author, and SI.com baseball writer

If you are interested in a career in baseball, Sports Management Worldwide offers a Baseball GM & Scouting Course with Maury Brown and Houston Astros' scout Jonathan Story.

The next course begins this week and there is still time to register! To get your career in baseball started today, visit our website or call SMWW at 877- SMWW-NOW.

In every SMWW course, one key component is an informational interview with a sports professional. As students work toward their goals in sports business, SMWW has always felt that there is a tremendous amount of value from learning directly from someone who’s already achieved great success, as nobody understands the challenges better than those who have already been there.

Here are just a few of the sports professionals our students have interviewed in past courses:

Jay Feaster, GM of Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL)
Billy Beane, GM of Oakland A’s (MLB)
Bernie Bickerstaff, GM & Head Coach of Charlotte Bobcats (NBA)
J.P. Ricciardi, GM of the Toronto Blue Jays (MLB)
Larry Pleau, GM of the St. Louis Blues (NHL)
Tom Gamble, Director of Player Personnel, S.F. 49ers (NFL)
Peter Woodfork, Arizona Diamondbacks Assistant GM (MLB)
Carl Hicks, Charlotte Bobcats Assistant GM (NBA)
Jim Goodman, Director of Player Personnel, Denver Broncos (NFL)
Chris Bauer, General Manager, New York Dragons (AFL)
Matt Trembly, Director of Player Personnel, Columbus Destroyers (AFL)

If you are interested in a course from Sports Management Worldwide, call our office today at 877-SMWW-NOW to register or visit our website by selecting this text...

As the college football season rolls along and we await the first round of BCS rankings, Sports Management Worldwide is leading the charge against the Bowl Championship Series. The idea for a college football playoff has been discussed for years in response to the BCS not producing a clear-cut champion.

BCSBusters.com was created to raise national awareness of the BCS’s shortcomings, as well as to demand a playoff system be put in place to determine the national champion. The new website is your opportunity to buy a BCSBusters t-shirt, send e-mail to college administrators, and participate in fan forums to discuss your team and your beliefs about the BCS.

To visit BCSBusters.com, select this text...

For many of us, football is more than just a sport; it’s a passion. Whether it’s the NFL, or the NCAA, or your local high school team, or -- as is the case for many of us -- all three, when the leaves change colors our thoughts turn to the gridiron. And one such individual has recently been lucky enough to make the transition from passionate fan to dedicated professional. Leon Hughes came to SMWW with a deep interest in football, and with hopes of one day being involved in the business side of sports.

He quickly enrolled in the Football GM & Scouting Course taught by College and NFL scout Russ Lande (who also works with the Sporting News). Under the tutelage of of Lande, Hughes began to make contacts and establish relationships with a number of organizations. He soon began getting call–backs, with opportunities for Hughes to scout for the Indoor Football Scouting Bureau and also do some writing for ProFootballCent ral.com.

Specifically, Hughes is now covering the Big East Conference and is a Central Area Scout for Ohio and Pennsylvania. And he credits much of his success to his decision to get into the course and further his football knowledge.

"Before getting into the course, I thought I really knew about the game, but I found Russ Lande to be the most knowledgeable person on football that I have ever met," says Hughes. “He definitely challenges you to learn more and ask questions and he was there, and still is, to answer anything that I have a question about. The course really gives you an opportunity to learn about what goes on behind the scenes in the world of football and Russ has been there before."

Lande continues to bring a no-nonsense approach to the course, and students appreciate the opportunity to talk with him directly and get advice on advancing their football careers.

"One of the best things about Russ is his honesty and straightforward approach about what you have to do to make it in this business. He provides a lot of encouragement that you can make it if you just stick with it. At the same time, he never pulls any punches about what it is going to take to reach the highest level."

"I would definitely recommend this course to anyone who has a passion for the game and wants to grow their knowledge and also learn how to get themselves involved in the business side of football."

If you are interested in taking the Football GM and Scouting Course, select this text or register on the SMWW website...

Or Call SMWW Today at 877-SMWW-NOW

When Sports Management Worldwide launched its Rugby Management Course, we hoped the program would grow with time, steadily if slowly. However, the course has immediately become a huge success, with students from all over the world participating and learning together. Here is a list of where just some of our students are from:

London, England
Vienna, Austria
Bergen, Norway
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Alameda, California
Johannesburg, South Africa
Dubai Dubai, United Arab Emirates

If you are interested in learning more about the business of rugby, select this text to register for the program today...

SMWW is proud to announce that four new agent advisors joined the company in the month of September.

Kevin Cleary (Connecticut)
Clifford Wong (Maryland)
Scott Frazier (Texas)
Brad Graham (Illinois)

We have high hopes for all of our graduates and we look forward to helping every new agent sign their first client!

If you are interested in becoming an agent advisor with SMWW, you will need to complete the Athlete Management Course. For more information, select this text...

For questions or to enroll in our course, call us today at 877-SMWW-Now

Earn your Masters or Doctorate through Northcentral University online! M. ED, PH.D, ED.D and MBA are all available with a specialization in Sports Management. It is possible to get a masters degree in a little over a year.

There are no residency requirements, you work at your own pace, all online, and all from home. Courses are typically 16 weeks long; however you may take an eight-week accelerated course.

SMWW President and Founder Dr. Lynn Lashbrook, who is also a certified NFLPA agent, and Sally Sullivan, former sports attorney and agent of Venus and Serena Williams, teach many of the courses.

Call 1-877-SMWW-NOW to speak with one of them today or for more information, select this text...