Together we build the future of sport.
Together we lead.
The Center for Sport Leadership offers an internationally acclaimed 12-month Master's program that provides a year of work experience in a vibrant urban sporting community.
#1 Alumni Network in the World
#8 postgraduate sports business program in the world
92%job placement rate among graduates
The CSL was founded to create leaders for an ever-evolving global sport industry. We empower our graduates across all industry specialties with a comprehensive set of tools for impactful and successful careers:
- Knowledge to understand the business of sport
- Experience to inform important decisions
- Connections to a comprehensive network of industry figures and CSL alumni
- Foresight to create positive change in their communities
CSL students have a reputation—and it's one we've cultivated carefully: they are prepared, productive, and values-driven leaders.
News
CSL Ranked #8 in the World by SportBusiness
Sept. 9, 2024
CSL Has Top Ranked Alumni Network
CSL Celebrates 25th Anniversary with Alumni Reunion
Sept. 4, 2024
More than 125 graduates return to VCU to kick off milestone year.
Class of 2024 Secures Sport Industry Jobs
May 13, 2024
Check out where our recent graduates are headed next
CSL Day of Giving Breaks Records
March 6, 2024
Program Sets Mark for Total Gifts and Money Raised.
CSL 25th Anniversary Celebration Set for August 17
Jan. 8, 2024
All alumni reunion to kick off yearlong festivities
CSL Student Brings Donated Sports Equipment to his Home Country
Jan. 1, 2024
Donations from Richmond area sport organizations benefit youth soccer club in Ghana
Center for Sport Leadership Ranked Top 10 in the World
Oct. 23, 2023
This is the 8th consecutive year the program has been ranked Top 15 in the world or better
CSL Announces New Alumni Advisory Board Members
Sept. 18, 2023
CSL Thanks Outgoing Board Members
Five Alumni Share Their CSL Experience to New Students
Aug. 21, 2023
CSL Core Values Discussion Highlights Orientation
CSL Welcomes Dr. Yong Chae Rhee
Aug. 1, 2023
Respected Professor & Researcher Joins CSL Faculty after 13 years at Washington State
Erin Hauser Sheridan Tapped as CSL Business Manager
July 24, 2023
2015 CSL Graduate Returns After 7+ Years at Randolph-Macon College
CSL Welcomes Dr. Kalyn McDonough
July 12, 2023
Fulbright Scholar Joins CSL Faculty This Fall
Class of 2023 Secure Sport Industry Jobs
June 28, 2023
Check out the new opportunities for our recent graduates
CSL Day of Giving Raises Nearly $28k
March 15, 2023
Every gift supports scholarships for students.
Angel City FC Named 2023 Power of Sport Award Recipient
Jan. 24, 2023
Los Angeles based NWSL team will be honored at RVA Sports Awards on February 4
CSL Welcomes New Board Members, Recognizes Outgoing Board Members
Sept. 26, 2022
CSL Alumni Advisory Board Was Established in 2017
RVA Sports Executive Social Returns
Sept. 26, 2022
After 3 Year Hiatus, CSL Hosts Citywide Networking Event for Local Sport Leaders
A New Twist to Orientation
Aug. 29, 2022
Five CSL graduates lead Core Values discussion on new students first day.
NFL Assistant Coach Teaches CSL Online Class
Aug. 17, 2022
Seattle Seahawks Assistant Coach Aaron Curry taught Foundations of Coaching to Distance Learning students this Summer.
Class of 2022 Secure Jobs in the Sport Industry
June 3, 2022
The Real Madrid Experience
June 1, 2022
CSL Students Enjoy Five Week Residency with World's Most Famous Football Club
Students of the Year Recognized
April 28, 2022
Sam Utz & Erin Mattone Honored with End-of-the-Year Awards
West Coast Trip to Replace European Model of Sport for 2022
April 8, 2022
Itinerary includes Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Salt Lake City.
Student-led SEED Events Make Significant Community Impact
April 8, 2022
VCU Foundation Grant Funds
SEED Events Return
March 25, 2022
All events funded by VCU Foundation
#CSLnetwork Day Extended
Feb. 21, 2022
Donor will match all gifts during extended period up to $5,000
Center for Sport Leadership Supports Inaugural RVA Sports Awards
Feb. 7, 2022
CSL Hands Out Power of Sport and Receives Scholarship Donation from Richmond Region Tourism
Dr. Kluch Awarded 2 Grants for Racial Equity in College Sports Research
Feb. 1, 2022
Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics and Atlantic Coast Conference Select Studies from Kluch & Colleagues
Michael Robinson Named Power of Sport Recipient
Jan. 31, 2022
Richmond native will be honored as part of Inaugural RVA Sports Awards on February 5
CSL, Real Madrid Graduate School Form Global Partnership
Oct. 13, 2021
New Master's Degree Program Will Include Five Week Residency In Madrid
CSL & VCU Athletics Named 2021 Mullin Award Winner
Oct. 1, 2021
National award recognizes the collaboration and partnership between a sports organization & educational institution
Dr. Brendan Dwyer Wins Prestigious Sutton Award
Sept. 22, 2021
National Honor Recognizes Excellence Among Sports Marketing Educators
CSL Welcomes Class of 2022
Aug. 23, 2021
New Cohort Joins #CSLnetwork
Yannick Kluch, Ph.D. Joins CSL Faculty
May 12, 2021
Scholar-Activist Brings Diversity & Inclusion Expertise to VCU
CSL Day of Giving is a Huge Success
March 16, 2021
316 gifts from alumni & friends smash 2021 goal
CSL Connections Grow Deep In Golf Industry
Dec. 2, 2020
As the golf industry evolves, alumni of the VCU Center for Sport Leadership are increasingly finding themselves at the forefront.
CSL Well Represented at 2020 Women Leaders X Conference
Nov. 4, 2020
VCU Center for Sport Leadership students, faculty, and alumni all came together for the Women Leaders in College Sports' Women Leaders X conference this year, despite being forced online due to the pandemic.
VCU's Adobe Creative Campus Status Enhances CSL Learning Experience
Oct. 9, 2020
VCU's new status as an Adobe Creative Campus has provided the Center for Sport Leadership with new ways to prepare students for their future careers in the ever-evolving sport industry.
CSL Amongst World's Best In 2020 Postgraduate Rankings
Sept. 16, 2020
CSL Ranked 4th in the world in Global Satisfaction
A Plan of Action, A Path to Change
Sept. 14, 2020
We wanted our first statement on #BlackLivesMatter to be more than words.
Two CSL Students Named To A-10 Diversity Commission
Sept. 13, 2020
Corey Douglas and Jaide Hinds-Clarke, members of the VCU Center for Sport Leadership class of 2021, have been selected for the Atlantic 10 Conference’s newly formed Commission on Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
Black Lives Matter - Our Stories
Sept. 11, 2020
COVID-19 Forces CSL To Get Creative With New Class
Sept. 3, 2020
After the annual European Model of Sport trip was cancelled due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the CSL added a summer class focused on the issues surrounding the Olympic sports industry today.
Mike Rhoades: Coach, Mentor, Teacher
Feb. 10, 2020
VCU Head Coach and CSL alum Mike Rhoades has been a tremendous mentor and teacher to dozens of graduate assistants that have come through our program. We talked to Coach and some of the GA's who have learned from him.
CSL Leads Sports Diplomacy Mission to Turkmenistan
Oct. 24, 2019
12 Day Trip Focuses on Adaptive Sports
Class Trip: CSL Students Visit Baltimore to Learn from Sports Professionals
Oct. 21, 2019
Tour and Talk with Ravens, Orioles, Under Armour and University of Maryland
VCU Center for Sport Leadership to Lead Sports Diplomacy Mission to Turkmenistan
Oct. 1, 2019
Delegation of Virginia sport leaders to focus on adaptive sports
Center for Sport Leadership Celebrates 20th Anniversary
Aug. 17, 2019
More than 100 alumni return for all class reunion
VCU Center for Sport Leadership Ranked Top 10 in the World
June 28, 2019
CSL ranked 8th in the world by SportBusiness
CSL Students Travel to South Africa for Service Learning Trip
May 15, 2019
Students get an up-close look at Dr. LeCrom's work in Stellenbosch
Students Embark on annual European Model of Sport trip
April 27, 2019
This year's EMS trip features stops in Munich, Vienna, Salzburg and Prague.
Olympic Swimmers Christen New Pool at Local Boys & Girls Club
April 25, 2019
CSL Partners with USA Swimming, TYR Sport & Swim RVA to Host Splash Day at Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club in Church Hill
CSL Names Students of the Year
April 17, 2019
Erica Snow & Daisy Alaeze Honored by Students and Faculty
"Putting Zoo" Brings New Twist to SEED Event
April 3, 2019
CSL, The First Tee of Greater Richmond Partner to Teach Core Values of Golf
CSL, Sportable Team Up for Wheelchair Basketball Tournament
April 3, 2019
Local Richmond businesses help raise money and awareness for adaptive sports
Day of Play Brings Local Youth, Law Enforcement Together
March 26, 2019
CSL students partnered with Henrico County Police Athletic League to Host Day of Play, an afternoon of fun and activities designed to create positive connections between local youth and law enforcement.
CSL Sets Record on Day of Giving
March 21, 2019
For the third year in a row, the Center for Sport Leadership reached its goal on it's Day of Giving
CSL Celebrates Women in Sport
March 19, 2019
CSL students, alumni, and VCU Athletics staff participate in our Women in Sport celebration.
Olympic Swimmers Highlight Splash Day
March 13, 2019
CSL partners with USA Swimming, Swim RVA, & TYR to promote health & wellness through swimming
Sportable at the Stu Set for April 3
March 13, 2019
CSL students work with local adaptive sports organization on wheelchair basketball tournament.
Sports Agent Shares His Story & Insight with CSL
Feb. 19, 2019
Founder & President of Next Level Sports Will Reece represents some of the most talented college basketball coaches in the nation, including VCU's Mike Rhoades.
CSL Alumni Share Experience, Insight on Duke Visit
Feb. 11, 2019
CSL alumni working at Duke, like Senior Associate AD for Internal Relations Troy Austin, spoke with our graduates students on our visit and tour of their athletic department
Students Tour UNC, Network with CSL Alumni
Feb. 11, 2019