Master of Science in Sport Management Faculty

Areas of Expertise

Sport facility operations and management; sociocultural foundations of sport; professional and curriculum development in sport management

Background

Dr. Diacin has a professional background in sport facility and operation management. Responsibilities have included the management of programming, personnel, and revenues with multi-purpose sport and recreation facilities. Academic related accomplishments include six publications as either lead or second author in scholarly, peer-reviewed journals as well as 12 presentations at state, national, and international conferences.

Research Interests

parental involvement in youth sports; experiential learning and internship development in sport management; constraints upon family sport and recreation consumption

Education

• PhD, Exercise and Sport Science, University of Tennessee
• MEd, Sport Management, Bowling Green State University
• BS, Sport Management, Bowling Green State University

Fun facts

I know how to drive a Zamboni (and fortunately have never run anyone over)!

Favorite thing about UIndy

I like the small class sizes and community atmosphere that exists on campus.

Area of Experise

College athletic administration

Background

Jay Jones serves as Commissioner of the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC), where he leads conference operations, governance, and student-athlete initiatives across NCAA Division III institutions. He is also an Associate Professor at IUPUI, teaching courses on the legal aspects of sport.

Previously, Jay was Associate Director of Division III Governance at the NCAA and Commissioner of the Sunshine State Conference. He began his career at the NCAA in membership services, later advancing to Director of Academic and Membership Affairs.

He holds both a JD and MBA from Stetson University and is recognized for his leadership in collegiate athletics and commitment to student-athlete development.

Education

• JD, Stetson University
• MBA, Stetson University

Areas of Expertise

Event management and sport marketing

Background

Dr. Mills has co-authored articles in national and international journals related to consumer-based brand equity in professional sports, health clubs, and campus recreational sports. She has also presented her research at the North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM,) Sport Marketing Association (SMA), and Global Sport Business Association (GSBA). Additionally, Dr. Mills has interned and volunteered with several sport organizations around Indianapolis such as Great Lakes Valley Conference, Special Olympics Indiana, Indiana Sports Corporation, NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships, and NCAA Yes Clinic.

Research Interest

Sport and fitness brand management; student-athlete experience

Education

• BS, Sport Management, University of Indianapolis
• MS, Sport Management, Indiana University
• PhD, Sport Management, Indiana University

Fun facts

UIndy is my alma mater and I met my husband Braxton Mills here.

Favorite thing about UIndy

The family atmosphere. Go Hounds!

Areas of Expertise

Partnerships and revenue generation

Background

Sarah Baird has served as the Director of Partnership Activation at Pacers Sports & Entertainment since October 2017. In her role, she manages the Pacers Sports & Entertainment Partnership Activation team and relationships with corporate partners such as Ascension St. Vincent, Kroger, and Salesforce. Sarah's team is responsible for fulfilling all contractual partnership assets including permanent signage, digital signage, social media promotions, player appearances, and hospitality events for the Indiana Pacers, Indiana Fever, Pacers Gaming and select Fort Wayne Mad Ants partners. Sarah has been with Pacers Sports & Entertainment since December 2001 and prior to her current role, served as Associate Director of Partnership Activation, Partnership Activation Manager, Partnership Activation Coordinator, and Pacers Foundation Coordinator.

Area of Expertise

Strategic communication

Background

Gail Dent, Associate Director of Public and Media Relations at the NCAA, will lend her expertise to the Strategic Communication course (KINS 520). In her current position, Dent works with national media and focuses on communications surrounding NCAA issues and programs. Her specific areas of responsibility include corporate relations, diversity and inclusion issues, student-athlete programs and initiatives, select NCAA championships, the NCAA Hall of Champions public attraction, and various NCAA community activities. She has been with the NCAA for 11 years.

Prior to the NCAA, she focused on international and national public relations for the U.S. Olympic Committee in Colorado Springs, Colo., where she managed media initiatives related to USOC corporate sponsors, the U.S. Olympic Training Centers and onsite tours, sports medicine and science, USOC programs, and Center media training. She was a member of the USOC's official delegation at the 1997 World University Games in Catania, Sicily; the 1998 Olympic Winter Games in Nagano, Japan; the 1999 World University Games in Mallorca, Spain; and the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. She also assisted with media and outreach efforts for the USOC White House visits in Washington, D.C.

Prior to the NCAA and USOC, Dent worked in athletics communications at the University of Kentucky, handling the media relations for a variety of programs, including women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's track and field, and men's and women's swimming and diving. She was the secondary media contact for the Wildcats football team and also assisted with media duties for the men's basketball team in the postseason.

Area of Expertise

College athletic administration

Background

Mr. Jones will share his expertise with the Foundations of Athletic Administration course (KINS 505). Ryan Jones is a marketing and brand strategist with more than a decade of experience driving storytelling, experiential marketing, and audience engagement initiatives. His career spans media, events, and culture-focused brands, where he has helped develop creative campaigns, build strategic partnerships, and deliver impactful brand experiences. Known for combining creativity with execution, Ryan brings a strong background in content, community building, and cross-functional collaboration to help organizations connect authentically with their audiences.

Area of Expertise
Legal issues

Background

Dee Kennedy is an Associate Director at the NCAA, where they oversee initiatives that support Division I governance, compliance, and student-athlete well-being. In addition to their national leadership role, Dee has served as an Adjunct Professor of Sport Management at the University of North Florida since 2011, teaching courses that bridge academic study with real-world athletics administration.

Prior to joining the NCAA, Dee was Associate Athletic Director for Academic Support at UNF, where they led student-athlete academic services, initiated leadership development programming, and coordinated across campus offices to ensure holistic support for student-athletes. Their career also includes roles at The University of Texas at San Antonio, Mississippi State University, and the University of Georgia Athletic Association, with experience spanning academic support, compliance, teaching, and student development.

Education

• JD, University of Georgia School of Law
• M.Ed., Sport Management, University of Georgia’s Mary Frances Early College of Education

Area of Expertise
Athletics operation

Background

Ryan Tressel is the Director of Championships and Alliances at NCAA, where he has worked for the past 10 years. Prior to his tenure at NCAA, Tressel was the Assistant Athletic Director for Facilities and Operations at High Point University in North Carolina. In addition, he has experience in minor league baseball operations and played basketball at the University of Wisconsin-Superior, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Tressel also earned a master’s degree in Athletic Administration at Kent State University.

Area of Expertise

Human resource management

Background

Kristin Weeden is the Chief Talent Officer at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, leading organizational talent strategy, human resources, and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. She previously served as Assistant Vice President of Human Resources at the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis, where she oversaw talent acquisition, employee development, and DEI programs.

Kristin began her career in higher education, including serving as Associate Dean of Students at the University of Indianapolis, focusing on student development, diversity initiatives, and organizational leadership. She is a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).

Education

• MS, Sports Business Management, Indiana State University
• BA, Political Science, Chicago State University