Steven Rackley joined the Department of Sport Management as a Professor in the Practice in 2019. Rackley earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Utah in Political Science. He continued his education at Ohio University where he obtained a Masters degree in Sports Administration and Facility Management.

As a 33-year veteran of collegiate athletic administration Rackley spent the last four years as the Director of Athletics at Alma College located in Alma, Michigan. As the AD he was responsible for the overall development and management of Alma’s 28 sports and NCAA Division III program.

A few highlights of Rackley’s time at Alma include a new hall of Fame, weight and wrestling rooms, and a new suite of offices for football. The football locker room was also refurbished. Rackley also introduced a new mission statement and core values designed to convey what it means to be an Alma Scot. Working closely with the office of advancement fund raising was significantly improved with the introduction of the Varsity Club and most recently a new corporate sponsorship program. Alma also jumped into the webcasting world with football, basketball, volleyball, cheer, wrestling and other sports. Athletically the men’s basketball team won the MIAA tournament in 2016 and then went on to reach the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament. The cheer team won two national titles in 2017 and 2018. A new women’s dance team was introduced in 2017 and in 2010 they won a national championship Rackley also served on the NCAA Division III Membership Committee.

Prior to Alma Rackley spent sixteen years as the AD at the University of Findlay NCAA Division II program. His responsibilities included oversight of the athletic program’s 24 sports. Athletic highlights at Findlay include an NCAA Division II men’s basketball national championship in 2009. Findlay also won conference championships in golf and wrestling as well as men’s basketball. NCAA tournament qualifying teams included volleyball, men’s and women’s track and field, wrestling, men’s and women’s golf, men’s soccer and individuals from several sports. The equestrian teams as Findlay also won multiple IHSA national championships. Rackley also served on several NCAA Division II national committees including, Academics, Membership and Women’s Golf, including four years as the chair.

Before Findlay Rackley was the associate athletic director at Marshall University, associate athletic director, director of athletics business, ticket manager and assistant ticket manager at Weber State University and athletics business manager at Salt Lake Community College.

Professor Rackley resides in Missouri City with his wife Amy. They have three children, Nick (wife Brit), Ali and Rachael (husband Travis), and Jen Boulis (adopted daughter).

COURSES:

SMGT 320 (Business of College Athletics)

SMGT 366 (Event & Venue Management)

SMGT 450 (Leadership in Sport Management)