Rick Smith

Rick Smith came to Marietta from Texas where he served on the senior staff of University of the Incarnate Word's Athletics Department overseeing external affairs, served as the university's licensing coordinator, and had a lead role with the transition from Division II athletics to Division I. Prior to that position, Smith was a Visiting Professor of Sports Management at UIW, and Assistant Director of Alumni Relations prior to teaching. 

Smith serves as the esport director and was both an editor and author of the book, Esports Business Management (2020).

Research Interests
College Athletics and the effect it has on college admissions, such as: Does adding football to a school increase enrollment? And: Do marketing gimmicks/theme nights in college athletics, such as T-shirt giveaways or Military Appreciation Day, increase attendance; and is there a cost-benefit analysis that can be done to measure the success of the promotion/theme?