Online Career Tips

Tuesday, July 26, 2011 – 4:00 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. ET

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The average professional athlete’s career is over by age 33. For physically-demanding sports, such as professional football, it’s as young as 28. Deciding what comes next can be difficult.

As a professional athlete, or a college athlete preparing to make the jump to the next level, it is important to remember that in addition to a vigorous training schedule that keeps you at the top of your physical game, you must take the time to think about a life without sports.

[Learn more about degrees in Sports Management.]

Join three former NFL players and American Public University for an exclusive live event, where you get the chance to ask our NFL panel questions about their lives after professional sports.

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By J. Thompson

The legend of Knute Rockne was forged on the gridiron. Many know his contributions as a football tactician—introducing the Notre Dame Shift and perfecting the pass attack—but it’s his off-the-field contributions that add to the legacy, which the College Hall of Fame describes as “American football’s most-renowned coach.” A chemistry graduate turned coach, Rockne used his sharp mind for strategy, his gift of speech to motivate players, and his managerial leadership to take a football team and promote it into one of the most financially successful programs of its time—pro or collegiate. Read the full story

Combine Your Love for Sports with Your Talent for Business

The sports business industry is one of the largest and fastest growing industries in the United States, according to a leading sports business journal. Its annual survey shows its size to be about $213 billion. That’s more than twice the size of the U.S. auto industry and seven times the size of the movie industry.

The industry is expected to continue growing.  The Bureau of Labor Statistics says demand – and salaries – for sports managers should increase as well.

“Sports has not felt the recession like other segments, but it still faces challenges,” says Brian Freeland, sports and health sciences academic program manager for American Public University System (APUS). APUS is a distance learning institution that offers more than 70 online undergraduate and graduate degree programs. It serves more than 40,000 students worldwide.

“The sports industry needs professionals who can address the changing economy – and the changing lifestyles and interests of its audience. It needs new, creative approaches to marketing, finance and more.”

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