Jim Strode, Ohio University
President
Dr. Jim Strode is the Director of Undergraduate Studies and the O’Bleness Associate Professor of Sport Management in the College of Business at Ohio University. He previously served as the Chair of the Sports Administration program from 2019-2022. During his time at Ohio University, he has co-lead the college’s 2022-2027 strategic plan, expand experiential learning opportunities for students, and helped implement new academic programs at both the undergraduate and graduate level. His research interests include sport leadership, gender issues in sport, and sport philanthropy.
Nathan Kirkpatrick, Samford University
Vice President
Nathan Kirkpatrick joined the Brock School of Business faculty as an assistant professor of sports business in the fall 2020 semester. Most recently, Kirkpatrick served for two years in the Nelson Rusche College of Business at Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA) in Texas. While at SFA, Kirkpatrick served as a clinical instructor of management and marketing, and also led their sports business program housed on SFA’s campus in The Woodlands, Texas (Houston area). Prior to working at SFA, Kirkpatrick led the sport administration program in Samford’s School of Health Professions for five years, and he also worked as an assistant professor of sports administration at Belhaven University’s School of Business. Kirkpatrick started his professional career working in college athletics as a director of basketball operations, head men's basketball coach, academics and eligibility worker, and athletic administrator within athletic departments at Colorado State University, Covenant College, and The University of Georgia. He played basketball at Covenant College. Kirkpatrick received a Bachelor of Arts in history and secondary education from Covenant College, and a master's and Ph.D. concentrated in sport management and policy from the University of Georgia.
Noni Zaharia, Saint Louis University
Treasurer
Dr. Noni Zaharia is an assistant professor of sport business at Saint Louis University. He combines his business education with his international professional experience in sport management to offer an exciting and innovative classroom experience. Dr. Zaharia has a very good understanding of sport marketing, general marketing, and management areas from his relevant international sport work experience, and because he studied these topics in his Bachelor of Science in Management and Marketing program and in his M.B.A. program. Moreover, he has additional expertise in Applied Statistics and Research Methods through his doctoral minor from University of Northern Colorado. He began his teaching career as a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Sport Management Department at the Florida State University where he taught various sport management courses.
Phil Hatlem, Saint Leo University
Secretary
Phil Hatlem is a Sport Business Instructor II in the Tapia College of Business at Saint Leo University in Saint Leo, Florida. Before entering academia, Hatlem worked for ten years in athletic administration at mid-major universities in Texas, South Carolina, Iowa, and Idaho. He also spent a year as ticket manager for the men’s professional tennis tournament in Indianapolis. He has volunteered at major sporting events in the Tampa Bay region, including the PGA Tour, NCAA Final Four, the Outback Bowl, and the Super Bowl. Hatlem’s research and teaching interests include the historical and cultural forces that have shaped our sporting landscape, and how we may apply those findings to address issues facing the industry today. He also has a great affinity and interest in the Olympics and the Olympic Movement. He has presented at numerous conferences, both throughout the United States and internationally.
Bryan Finch, Oklahoma State University
Member-at-Large
Dr. Bryan Finch is a Clinical Associate Professor of Management and Director of the Sports Management Institute in the Spears School of Business at Oklahoma State University. He teaches introductory, advanced, and international sports management classes. His research focuses on the relationship between sport organizations and community development as well as the impact teams and organizations can have during disaster recovery efforts. Dr. Finch earned a Ph.D. from Texas A&M (2007), MBA at Arizona State (2005), and BS from Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (2000). He has been an active member of ASB since its genesis in 2010.
Derek Walton, Stephen F. Austin State University
Member-at-Large
Dr. Derek Walton is an Assistant Professor of Marketing in the Rusche College of Business at Stephen F. Austin State University. He earned his B.S. (Sport Industry), M.S. (Sport Management), and Ph.D. (Sport Management) from The Ohio State University. He has experience in teaching sports business courses pertaining to sports marketing, promotion, sales, facility and event management, and the business of esports. Dr. Walton’s research interests include emerging trends in sports marketing and sports innovation. Before transitioning to academia, Dr. Walton held industry roles with the Columbus Crew (MLS) and Ohio State Athletics.
Tim McBride, Lewis University
Member-at-Large
Tim McBride joined the Lewis University College of Business as an Assistant Professor and Sport Management Program Director for the fall 2021 semester. He arrived at Lewis in November 2018 as the Associate Athletic Director where he oversaw the Flyers fundraising, alumni relations, marketing and events before transitioning to the full-time faculty role. Previously, McBride served as the Chief Marketing and Entertainment Officer for the Chicago Dogs baseball team, Director of Marketing for the Chicago Auto Show, Assistant Men’s Soccer Coach at Loyola University Chicago and Director of Game Operations for the Denver Nuggets. McBride was also a core member of the business teams that launched the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche and Phoenix, now Arizona, Coyotes in consecutive seasons. He received both his B.S. Marketing and MBA degrees from Loyola University Chicago.