Human Services professor honored for groundbreaking contributions to sport administration education

On June 27, 2025, OU’s College of Business honored Kelley for his contributions to the program, presenting him with a certificate of recognition at the MAA Forum at the Muck Business Annex in Athens.

“I was honored to be recognized,” says Kelley, who leads the online Sport Administration program at the University of Cincinnati. “This was a come-full-circle moment more than two decades in the making, and I’m proud to have made a difference both in Athens and in Cincinnati.”

In 2002, Kelley completed his doctoral dissertation at OU, focusing on a new and groundbreaking concept: the creation of an advanced degree in sport administration tailored specifically for professionals in interscholastic athletics.

“At the time, the traditional pathway for becoming an athletic director was to teach for a certain number of years – usually in physical education – and then coach for a number of years before ‘retiring’ into the position of AD,” says Kelley. “I wanted to flip that pathway on its head and give aspiring sports administrators the education and training to become ADs or assistant ADs right out of school.

"The reality is a lot of people who didn’t become ADs until much later in their careers would either retire or quit because they didn’t have the necessary training to do the work. I wanted to change that.”

In 2009, Kelley joined the faculty at UC, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a renewed vision for the future of sports administration education. Recognizing the growing demand for flexible, accessible education, he spearheaded the development of the online Master in Sport Administration program, which launched in 2017.

Once again, Kelley championed the integration of NIAAA Leadership Training Certification into the curriculum – ensuring that graduates not only earned a master’s degree, but also left the program with nationally recognized credentials that positioned them for leadership roles in interscholastic athletics. The program, which requires 30 credit hours, can be completed in one year.

“We’re very hands-on in our approach and give a real-world view of what it’s like to be an AD,” Kelley explains. “For example, I not only teach students how to write grants but also have them partner with schools in the Greater Cincinnati area and beyond to write grants on those schools’ behalf.” 

In 2022, one master’s student, Josh McDaniel, helped procure $250,000 on behalf of Milford High School. McDaniel was later hired to be the school’s assistant athletic director.

Since launching nearly a decade ago, UC’s online Sport Administration program has graduated 470 people. By the end of the summer semester, that number should eclipse 500. 

Many graduates have procured athletic administration roles throughout the Midwest and across the country, from New Hampshire to Hawaii. And, of course, many are in Ohio, including Kyle Sasala, who is Director of Athletics at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron.

“His wealth of industry knowledge, commitment to student development, and passion for advancing the field of sport administration make him a true leader in the sports industry," says Sasala. "His mentorship and vision continue to shape the next generation of athletic directors.”

Many program graduates have assumed Director of Athletics roles in Cincinnati, including JaBreel Moton (Woodward Career Technical High School), Shauniece Steele (Walnut Hills High School), and Chloe Mayfield Brown (Western Hills High School). All are shining examples of how this unique educational model has empowered individuals to lead with confidence and credibility.

"Dr. Kelley is a top-tier professional,” says Mayfield Brown. “He provided real-world experience in his classes to help us prepare for our professional careers.”

That, of course, was by design.

“These success stories are not anomalies,” says Kelley. “They are the direct result of a program designed with purpose, foresight and a deep understanding of the field’s evolving needs, from the latest social media platforms to NIL to everything in between.”

Kelley credits fellow faculty for helping to build and strengthen the program: Assistant Professor Wayne Black; Associate Professor Matt Huml; Associate Professor Michael Odio; Associate Professor Jason Simmons; and Assistant Professors Dante Jenkins, Rachel Rexroat and Peyton Stensland.

“They are experts in their respective fields,” Kelley explains. “I, and the university, are lucky to have them.” 

Kelley has redefined what it means to prepare leaders in interscholastic athletics. By embedding NIAAA certification into graduate education, he has created a model that bridges the gap between academic theory and real-world application – ensuring that graduates are not only knowledgeable, but also certified, credible and ready to lead.

Other schools, including West Virginia University, Western Kentucky University and Concordia University now offer an advanced sports administration degree that incorporates curriculum and program elements Kelley developed and championed.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to see other universities implement similar programs,” Kelley says. “It’s further evidence that the approach we offer at UC is the best option for aspiring sports administrators.”

As the landscape of interscholastic sports continues to evolve, the need for well-trained, visionary leaders has never been greater. Thanks to Kelley’s foresight and dedication, a new generation of athletic administrators is rising to meet that challenge – equipped with the tools, training and tenacity to make a lasting impact.

“I’m extremely proud to have been at the forefront of this movement,” says Kelley. “I get to work with incredible, purpose-driven colleagues and students every day – and we’re changing lives together.”

Featured photo at top: David Kelley outside the Teachers-Dyer Complex at the University of Cincinnati. Photo by Daniel Johnson, CECH Marketing