Jimmy Smith, Ph.D.

Professor, Kinesiology & Sport Management

Dr. Jimmy Smith teaches several topics in the sport and physical education department including, marketing, organizational behavior, and sport facility management. His research has been published in some of the top sport management journals including...

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Assistant Professor of Sport and Physical Education, Director of MA Sport Administration (online)

Contact Information

Education & Curriculum Vitae

Ph.D., Physical Education/Sport Management, University of Alberta

M.A., Sport Administration, Central Michigan University

B.S., Kinesiology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Dr. Jimmy Smith teaches several topics in the sport and physical education department including, marketing, organizational behavior, and sport facility management. His research has been published in some of the top sport management journals including the Journal of Sport Management. His research interests cover organizational change within sport organizations. Recent research interests in sports outreach has led to him publishing a book titled Sports Ministry that Wins: How to initiate, build, and manage a sports ministry program. This book has led to his current research and practical work with Gonzaga students in bringing before school sports outreach program for youth aged 9-12 to Spokane area schools.

Books

  • Smith, J., & English, G. (2017). Sports ministry that wins: How to initiate, build, and manage a sports ministry program. (Eds.). Canton, OH: Overwhelming Victory Press.

Chapters

  • Smith, J. (2019). Strategies for change: A presidential perspective. In M. Winand & C. Anagnostopoulos (Eds.), Research Handbook on Sports Governance (pp.). Camberley, UK Edward Elgar Publishing. 
  • English, G., & Smith, J. (2017) Marketing within the local church sports ministry. In J. Smith & G. English (Eds.), Sports ministry that wins: How to initiate, build, and manage a sports ministry program. (Eds.). Omaha, NB: Cross Training Publishing

Manuscripts

  • Smith, J., Bailey, R., Evans, J., Elliott, L.*, & Allen, T.* (2023). Legal duties of high school athletic directors. Journal of Legal Aspects of Sport, 33(2), 154-178.
  • Manthey, C*., & Smith, J. (2023). “You need to allow yourself to grieve that loss and that identity.” Student athletes’ transition to life after college sport. Journal of Athlete Development and Experience. 5(1), 16-38.
  • Rowley, A*., & Smith, J. (2022). An investigation of the economic impact of small-scale sports events: The case of a medium-size city in the Western United States. AUC Kinanthropologica (Journal). 58(1), 19-37.
  • Zeisner, C., & Smith, J. (2022). How athletic coaches can play a key role in SEL development: A literature review of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL). Applied Research in Coaching and Athletics Annual.
  • Smith, J. (2022). Finding stability between sports ministry and sports ministry management. A church-based review. Christian Society for Kinesiology, Leisure, and Sport Studies, 7(1), 1-22.
  • Jacek, A**., Smith, J., Elliott, L.*, Rickel, K., & Millar, P. (2021). Exploring consumer motivation at small scale ski resorts. International Journal of Research in Tourism and Hospitality. 7(1), 16-31.
  • Smith, J., & Madsen, R. (2020). Defining the role of the Director of Basketball Operations. An investigation of role ambiguity within intercollegiate athletic departments. International Journal of Sport and Physical Education. 6(1), 37-49.
  • Fowler, B.*, & Smith, J. (2019). An investigation of student-athlete gambling habits at religious universities. Journal of Contemporary Athletics, 13(3), 145-162.
  • Madsen, R., Smith, J., Edwards, J., Gentile, M., & Wayne, A*. (2019). A fork in the road: Factors contributing to elite hockey players’ decisions to choose the NCAA route. Sport in Society, 1-31.
  • Smith, J., Burt, I., & Gentile, M. (2019). The role of activity-based accounting in athletic departments: Theory, research questions, and an empirical test. The BRC Academy Journal of Business, 9(1), 1-32.
  • Nelson, S.*, & Smith, J. (2019).Female adolescent physical activity motivation: A qualitative implementation of the BRSQ. International Journal of Sport and Physical Education, 1-12.
  • Fowler, B.*, Smith, J., Nordstrom, H., & Ferguson, T. (2019). Ice hockey officiating retention: A qualitative understanding of junior ice hockey officials’ motivations in Canada. Managing Sport and Leisure, 24(1-3), 18-31.
  • O'Neill, J. L.*,& Smith, J. (2019). The impact of mentorship in intercollegiate athletics: Perspectives from female athletic administrators at the Division II and Division III levels. Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics, 12, 384-402.
  • Smith, J. (2018). Foundations in sports outreach: Equipping Catholic higher education students to provide a social contribution through a Sports Outreach Initiative. Journal of Catholic Higher Education, 37(2), 269-292.
  • Lentz, R.**, Kerins, M.**, & Smith, J. (2018). Stress, mental health, and the coach-athlete relationship: A literature review. Applied Research and Coaching Athletics Annual, Applied Research and Coaching Athletics Annual, 33, 214-238.
  • Vaughn, A*., & Smith, J. (2018). Advising student-athletes: Understanding job preparation, roles, and challenges of the athletic academic advisor. The Sport Journal, 20.
  • Morgan, S.*, & Smith, J. (2018). Perception of anti-doping policy among collegiate coaches. Applied Research and Coaching Athletics Annual, 33, 106-129.
  • Fowler, B*., Smith, J., & Croskery, J.* (2017) Career and educational experiences of high school athletic directors: A multi-level perspective. The Sport Journal, 19.
  • Ray, J.*, Smith, J., & Fowler, B.*(2016). The effect of regulatory fit on Twitter fandom in the National Hockey League postseason. International Journal of Sport Communication, 9, 401-414.
  • Dowling, M., & Smith, J. (2016). The institutional work of Own the Podium in developing high performance sport in Canada. Journal of Sport Management, 30, 396-410.
  • Long, B.*, & Smith, J. (August 8, 2016). The Spirit soars on: An interpretive inquiry of leadership, health and wellness, and culture among Tribal Colleges and Universities athletic departments. Tribal College: Journal of American Indian Higher Education.
  • Smith, J. (2016). An examination of sport management faculty journal publications and conference presentations in the United States and Canada. Journal of Physical Education and Sports Management, 2, 1-17.
  • Smith, J., & Washington, M. (2015). The antecedents and consequences of intercollegiate athletic associational reclassification: A multiple case study perspective. International Journal of Sport Management, 16, 1-20.
  • Smith, J., & Soebbing, B. P., & Washington, M. (2015). Motivations for changing athletic associations: An athletic departments perspective. Journal of Contemporary Athletics. 9(2).
  • Smith, J., & Washington, M. (2014). Advancing isomorphism in higher education: A critical analysis of the careers of intercollegiate athletic director. Journal of Contemporary Athletics, 8(1).

Professional Papers Presented 

  • Watchers, S.*, Smith, J., Fowler, B. (2024). Security threats for sports facilities managers. Abstract to be submitted for the Applied Sport Management Association National Conference. Abstracts due November 3, 2023.
  • Manthey, C., & Smith, J., (2023). You need to allow yourself to grieve that loss and that identity:” College Athletes’ Transition to Life After College Sport. Accepted for presentation at the Christian Society for Kinesiology, Leisure, and Sport Studies, June 7-10, 2023.
  • Bailey, R., Evans, J., Smith, J., & Elliott, L. (2022).'Understanding legal duties of high school athletic directors. Accepted for presentation at the Sport and Recreation Law Association Conference, Atlanta, GA. February, 2022.
  • Smith, J. (2020). Reflecting on the reflections: Assessing student CEL course experiences using word-clouds. Accepted for presentation at the Partners in Campus and Community Engagement Conference, Whitworth University, Spokane, WA. May, 2020. Conference cancelled due to COVID
  • Morgan, S.*, & Smith, J., (2019, October). Perceptions of anti‐doping policy among collegiate coaches. Play the Game International Conference, Colorado Springs, CO.
  • Fowler, B*, Smith, J., Brannigan, K., Nordstrom, H. (2019, June). Ice hockey officiating retention: A qualitative understanding of junior ice hockey officials’ motivations. (Poster Presentation) North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM), New Orleans, LA.
  • Marshall, M.**, McGuire, S.**, Sylvester, L.*, & Smith, J. (2019). Sports outreach initiative (Poster Presentation). 2019 Community Engagement Symposium, Whitworth University, Spokane, WA, April 16, 2019.
  • Smith, J. (2018, May). Foundations in sports outreach: A community-engaged approach. Presented at the Inland Northwest Community Engagement Institute. Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA.
  • Smith, J., Nelson, S. P*., Torres-Brooks, A. (2018, April). From sports ministry management to sports ministry application. REACHGathering Conference, Asheville, NC.
  • Smith, J., & Madsen, R. (2017, June). To be or not to be a coach: Career aspirations of male and female DOBOs. (Poster Presentation) North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM), Denver, CO.
  • Farrell, A., Madsen, R., Parker, H., Borland, J., & Smith, J. (June, 2017). Lessons learned: Navigating the application process and succeeding at teaching-focused institutions. Teaching/Learning - Professional Development, 60-minute symposium/roundtable. North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM), Denver, CO.
  • Smith, J., Burt, I., & Gentile, M. (2017, June). Does activity-based costing have a place in intercollegiate athletics? The Canadian Academic Accounting Association Conference, Montreal, QC, Canada.
  • Smith, J. (2017, April). Current research findings for strategically/relevant & efficiently/effective local church sport/rec/fitness outreach ministries. Keynote speaker: Administrative track. REACHGathering Conference, Dallas, TX, April 25-27, 2017.
  • Smith, J. (2017, April). Panel discussion: Meet the chapter authors of Sport ministry that wins...Convener: Dr. Jimmy Smith. REACHGathering Conference, Dallas,TX April 25-27, 2017.
  • Smith, J. (2017, April). Managing sport ministry: Applying sport management techniques in faith-based settings. REACHGathering Conference, Dallas, TX, April 25-27, 2017.
  • Smith, J. (2016, November). Practitioner perspectives on sport ministry outcomes. Presented at the 2016 North American Society for the Sociology of Sport Conference, Tampa, FL, November 2-5.
  • Smith, J., Burt, I., & Gentile, M. (2016, October). What college athletics administrators don't want to know. Presented at the 23rd Annual International Vincentian Business Ethics Conference, Niagara University, NY, October 20-22.
  • Smith, J. (2016, April) Understanding sport ministry from a management perspective. Presented at the 2016 REACHGathering Conference, Memphis, TN, April 19-21.
  • Smith, J. (2016, February). An examination of sport management faculty journal publications and conference presentations in the U.S. and Canada. Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA) Conference, Tampa, FL.
  • Smith, J. & Madsen, R. (2015, April). To be or not to be a coach: Does the role of DOBO prepare head coaches. College Sport Research Institute (CSRI) Annual Conference, Columbia, SC.
  • Smith, J. (2014, May). Enhancing the credibility of sport management programs: An assessment of publications, presentations and research interests. North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM), Pittsburgh, PA.
  • Madsen, R., Smith, J., Gentile, M., & Wayne, A.* (2014, May). “A fork in the road”: Decisional factors leading elite ice hockey players to choose an NCAA career. North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM), Pittsburgh, PA.
  • Smith, J., & Washington, M. (2014, May). Transitional disconnect: The case of intercollegiate athletic associational change. The Global Conference on Education, hosted by the University of Riverside, Riverside, CA.

Submitted Grants

  • Smith, J. (2018). Sports outreach initiative. Gonzaga University Research Council Research Award. Submitted February 12, 2018. Funded: $3,285.00. Funding will aid in the partial financial assistance of a Graduate Assistant for the Sports Outreach Initiative (SOI) and funding for SOI nutrition for participants.
  • Smith, J. (2015). Understanding sport ministry from a management perspective. Niagara University Research Support Grant submitted January, 2015. Funded: $2,889.50
  • Smith, J. (2015). The institutionalization of high performance sport: The case of the Own the Podium. Submitted January, 2015. Funded: $1,200.
  • Smith, J. (2014). Understanding sport ministry from a management perspective. Niagara University Graduate
  • Student Research Assistant Grant submitted March, 2014. Funded: $2,000 tuition credit
  • Smith, J. (2014). Understanding sport ministry from a management perspective. Niagara University Summer Research Award submitted January, 2014. Funded: $5,200

*Denotes work done with graduate students
**Denotes work done with undergraduate students

Research Interests

  • Organizational behavior
  • Organizational change
  • Sport ministry/outreach
  • Intercollegiate athletics