Bethel University assistant professor and sports management program coordinator Dr. Josh Greer is using what he learned in the United States Sports Academy doctoral program to benefit his students at the Christian university in McKenzie, Tenn.
Greer earned his Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree in sports management from the Academy in 2020 while he worked within Bethel’s faculty ranks. Since 2018, Greer has led the development of the university’s Bachelor of Arts degree in sports management, its sport administration emphasis for the Master’s in Business Administration (MBA), the master’s degree in sports coaching, and the school’s varsity esports program.
“I really enjoyed my Academy classes and the feedback and interaction I had with faculty there,” Greer said. “Even though the classes were fully online, I was able to have great relationships with my professors. Also, the Academy has a very good reputation in the field of sports management, so having a terminal degree from the Academy has been very beneficial.”
Greer said he was inspired by the Academy’s experiential learning opportunities through its internship program, and he is using what he learned with his own students at Bethel. In April, Greer led a group of 10 Bethel students who worked behind the scenes at the NFL Draft in Cleveland, Ohio.
“We have about 50 sports management students in the program right now in just its second full year,” Greer said. “I make sure that every student has the opportunity for experiential learning. The internship component was one of the best things about the Academy program, so I’m trying to do those things at Bethel. We plan on volunteering at the Super Bowl and at the NCAA Final Four events, too.”
Greer said his career wouldn’t be possible without his Academy degree.
“I thank God every day for the skillsets I earned at the Academy,” Greer said. “I’m thankful for what I learned there, and I’m thankful to have the opportunity to share everything I know with my own students. Without my terminal degree from the Academy, none of this would be possible.”
In 2021, Greer was recognized by his colleagues as the recipient of Bethel’s Roy and Mary Shelton Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership Award, which is the school’s highest honor for full-time faculty.
“I couldn’t believe it, winning the award was such an honor,” Greer said. “They presented it to me unexpectedly during one of my classes, and it was one of those moments where I was really fighting hard not to lose it in front of my students. The award was so special because it came from my peers.”
