Department to recognize distinguished members of Sport Management Professional Society


LAWRENCE — The Department of Health, Sport & Exercise Sciences at the University of Kansas has identified two individuals as the inaugural Distinguished Members of the Sport Management Professional Society in recognition of their significant contributions to the sport management program.

Megan Mackey, senior manager of corporate partnerships for the Kansas City Royals, and Tyler Epp, vice president of business development for the Kansas City Chiefs, are this year’s recipients. Both individuals are KU graduates.

This inaugural award recognizes significant contributions to the sport management program, and distinguished member recognition will be awarded to members on an annual basis. While two individuals will be awarded in 2017, the number of recipients may vary each year.

“Megan Mackey and Tyler Epp are two prime examples of successful Jayhawks who have selflessly given their time and knowledge back to the sport management program at KU,” said Jordan Bass, associate chair and assistant professor in the Department of Health, Sport & Exercise Sciences. “We are tremendously excited to honor them as the first two distinguished members of the professional society.”

The Sport Management Professional Society was founded by Bass in Fall 2016 as a means to provide more concrete links between the academic program and fellow Jayhawks working in the world of sport. Current society membership includes more than 300 alum.

Epp completed his law degree in 2003. “When I first met Tyler Epp after starting at KU, I was so impressed by his willingness to help our program in any way possible. He has hosted visiting scholars; spoken to classes; alerted us to positions with the Chiefs that are good fit for our graduates,” Bass said. “Tyler is an invaluable member of our KU sport management family.”

Mackey completed the bachelor’s degree in sport management in 2009. “Megan Mackey is a rising star in the sport management world and someone we are incredibly proud to call a graduate of our program,” said Bass. “We’re fortunate to have her down the road in Kauffman Stadium.”

Distinguished members of the Sport Management Professional Society, among other award recipients, will be recognized at the Department of Health, Sport & Exercise Sciences Awards Ceremony on April 26 in Lawrence.

A full list of Sport Management Professional Society members can be found here

The Department of Health, Sport & Exercise Sciences is housed in the School of Education, a nationally ranked school preparing educators and health/sport/exercise professionals as leaders.    

Fri, 03/17/2017

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Janelle Laudick

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Janelle Laudick

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