University of Oklahoma Launches Executive Program for Future Athletic Directors

NORMAN, OKLA. – The Michael F. Price College of Business at the University of Oklahoma has launched a future athletics director program to provide unique training for NCAA Division I athletics department leaders. This executive-level program, developed in partnership with OU Athletics, will host its inaugural cohort in fall 2025.

Tailored for athletics administrators aspiring to senior and executive leadership roles in collegiate sports, the program will equip participants with the tools to effectively lead D1 athletics programs amidst the complexities of the evolving professionalized model of collegiate athletics.

“Leadership in collegiate athletics requires vision, adaptability and a strategic mindset,” said Joe Castiglione, OU vice president for intercollegiate programs and director of athletics. “The Future Athletics Director program is designed to cultivate these essential qualities, preparing the next generation of athletics leaders to thrive in a rapidly changing landscape.”

Program highlights include:

• Strategic Leadership Development: Participants will gain expertise in leading strategic operations, financial management and revenue diversification.
• Marketing and Branding Excellence: Participants will explore industry best practices in digital marketing, sponsorship development and fan engagement.
• Innovative Learning Culture: Students will engage in a dynamic curriculum featuring real-world scenarios, immersive case studies and collaborative learning.
• Peer Networking: Cohort members will connect with forward-thinking athletics professionals to foster long-term relationships and collective innovation.

“The collegiate sports landscape is evolving rapidly, and the demands on athletic administrators have never been higher. OU’s future athletics director program offers a unique, immersive and rigorous experience that goes beyond traditional education,” said Sean Daly, Price College associate professor and sports business program director.

Price College Interim Dean Laku Chidambaram added, “At Price College of Business, we are committed to developing leaders who can navigate complexity and drive innovation. The future athletics director program exemplifies this commitment by equipping athletics administrators with strategic business acumen and leadership skills necessary to lead with impact in the rapidly evolving ultra-competitive world of collegiate sports.”

Scheduled to run October 22-26, 2025, the Future Athletics Director program is open to athletics professionals from across the country who are looking to elevate their careers and lead the future of collegiate sports administration.

“We’re planting our flag in executive-level collegiate sports education,” said Nick Tobey, Price College executive director of executive education. “This is a hands-on, immersive, in-person learning experience. Students will learn finance, strategy and media skills, and most importantly, they’ll solve real-world problems unique to the future of sports leadership. That’s what sets this program apart.”

Learn more about and apply for OU’s future athletic directors program.