AKRON, Ohio – University of Akron students interested in having a career in the professional sports industry now have the chance to gain firsthand experience thanks to a partnership with the Cleveland Browns.

The partnership started last fall when the University of Akron pledged to become the official university of the Cleveland Browns. As part of the agreement, the university pledged to spend $1.36 million over four years to expand internship and educational opportunities for students. The partnership started with volunteer opportunities for students last fall, and has expanded to include the addition of three for-credit courses in materials science, sports consulting and sports business, according to the university.

New classes offered are:

Materials Science of Football

In this class, students will learn about the science behind materials used in football and the history of how materials used in the game have evolved over time. Highlights include the role of Akron’s rubber technology and Paul Brown’s innovative contributions in Cleveland. Materials such as ceramics, metals, plastics and composites will be covered, with examples provided by the Cleveland Browns. Enrolled students can work with representatives from Xenith Helmets and participate in a facility tour, according to a university news release.

Sport Consulting Project

Students will improve their ability to navigate and manage team dynamics while solving complex challenges unique to a sports organization in this class. Students will have the opportunity to collaborate with the Global Markets Program to international marketing rights to expand brand awareness and build fandom beyond the U.S. The class includes collaboration with Matt Papatheodorou, the Browns’ director of marketing, according to the release.

Business of the Browns

Open to students in a variety of majors, this course covers topics that are important to the Cleveland Browns organization, including technological advancements, athlete branding, the use of advanced metrics for performance analysis, fan engagement strategies, the impact of social media on sports consumption, diversity and the intersection of sports and society. Browns staff will visit throughout the semester to offer insights into different aspects of the sports industry, according to the release.

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