From Athlete to Assistant Professor in Gonzaga's M.A. In Sport & Athletic Administration
From the baseball field to a Ph.D. in Sport Administration, Brian Fowler's career has been shaped by a passion for sport and leadership. After graduating from Gonzaga's M.A. in Sport and Athletic Administration in 2017, he continued to build on that foundation through coaching, research, and higher education.
In this Q&A, Brian shares insights from his journey and advice for those pursuing careers in sport administration.
What is your academic & professional background?
My path into sport administration began as an athlete. I played college baseball at Treasure Valley Community College and Chico State University before earning my bachelor's degree in Business Management and Project Management. After college, I had the opportunity to play several years of minor league baseball.
After my playing career, I began exploring different ways to remain involved in sport. While completing the MASAA program at Gonzaga, I volunteered with the Gonzaga baseball program and served as the head coach of the American Legion baseball team in Post Falls, Idaho.
I graduated from Gonzaga's MASAA program in 2017 and later earned my Ph.D. in Sport Administration with a doctoral minor in Applied Statistics and Research Methods from the University of Northern Colorado.
What is your current role & responsibilities?
I am currently an Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator for the Sport & Recreation Management program at the University of Idaho. My role includes teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in sport management, advising and mentoring students, overseeing curriculum and program development, coordinating experiential learning opportunities, and building connections between our students and professionals in the sport and recreation industries.
As Program Coordinator, I also help guide the strategic direction of the program, including curriculum development, student recruitment and retention, and industry partnerships. One of the most rewarding parts of my role is helping students identify where they want to go professionally and creating opportunities that can help them get there.
What inspired you to pursue a MASAA degree at Gonzaga, and how did the program shape your career journey?
After finishing my playing career, I knew I wanted to stay involved in sports, but I wanted to explore the different paths that could lead to a career in coaching or the broader sport industry. The MASAA program gave me the opportunity to better understand those possibilities while building on my experiences as an athlete and coach.
What ultimately had the greatest impact on my career was that the program exposed me to opportunities I had not previously considered. Through my experiences at Gonzaga, I began to see higher education and teaching as another potential career path. That realization eventually led me to pursue a Ph.D. and ultimately to the career I have today.
Can you share any memorable experiences or lessons from your time at Gonzaga that have stayed with you?
The most memorable part of my experience at Gonzaga was the mentorship I received from the faculty. In particular, Dr. Jimmy Smith gave me opportunities to guest lecture and serve as a teaching assistant in courses. Those experiences allowed me to explore teaching and working in higher education, which was a career path I had never seriously considered before entering the program.
That mentorship had a significant impact on the direction of my career. It also showed me how influential faculty can be in helping students discover opportunities and career paths they may not have initially envisioned. That is something I try to carry forward now when working with my own students.
How did your transition from student life to the professional world unfold? Were there any challenges or surprises?
My transition was helped considerably by my decision to pursue a Ph.D. Once I realized that higher education was a career path I wanted to explore, doctoral study provided a natural bridge between being a graduate student and becoming a faculty member.
What advice would you give to current MASAA students or someone considering Gonzaga's MASAA program?
Get involved and keep an open mind. Take advantage of opportunities to volunteer, intern, work with faculty, attend events, meet professionals, or try something that may be outside the career path you originally envisioned. You never know which experience, relationship, or connection may ultimately become the catalyst for your career down the road.