United States Sports University: Global Leader in Accredited Sports Education and Training

The United States Sports University (USSU), formerly the United States Sports Academy, is a premier private institution based in Daphne, Alabama, dedicated exclusively to sports education since its founding in 1972. Established in response to the need for better coaching and athlete development, USSU has grown into a global leader, impacting sport education in over 60 countries.

Offering bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs—many available online—it is accredited by SACSCOC and holds specialized accreditations in coaching and sport management. USSU also hosts intercollegiate sports teams, a sport art museum, a human performance lab, and publishes leading sport journals.

Through strategic partnerships and international collaborations, it provides professional development opportunities and contributes to global sports advancement, while honoring excellence through its Awards of Sport and producing notable alumni in various athletic fields.

United States Sports University: A Global Leader in Sport Education

The United States Sports Academy, recently rebranded as the United States Sports University (USSU), stands as a prominent private institution dedicated solely to sports education. Founded in 1972, this Daphne, Alabama-based university has established itself as “America’s Sports University,” impacting sport education and development in over 60 countries worldwide.

History and Mission

The genesis of the Academy traces back to the aftermath of the 1972 Summer Olympics. Dr. Thomas P. Rosandich, the founder, recognized a significant deficiency in the quality of coaching and training for U.S. athletes, contributing to their subpar performance. This observation, coupled with the insights from the Blythe-Mueller Report correlating coaching preparation with athlete injuries, spurred the creation of an institution focused on providing instruction, research, and service to the world of sport.

From its inception, the Academy envisioned a “university without walls,” aiming to deliver sport education globally. This vision was realized through flexible learning modalities, including traditional on-campus coursework, a unique mentorship program, continuing education, and pioneering distance learning. Web-based course delivery was introduced in 2001, further expanding its reach.

In February 2025, the Board of Trustees officially changed the institution’s name to the United States Sports University, a move reflecting its commitment to academic excellence and its established place in higher education.

Academic Programs and Accreditation

USSU offers a comprehensive range of degree programs at various levels, designed to prepare students for diverse careers in the dynamic sports industry.

Degree Offerings:

• Bachelor’s Degrees: The university provides five bachelor’s degrees with majors in Sports Management, Sports Coaching, Exercise Science, Sports Studies, and Business Administration. These programs offer in-person, online, or hybrid learning formats.
• Master’s Degrees: USSU offers four Master of Sports Science (M.S.S.) degrees in Sports Coaching, Exercise Science, Sports Management, and Sports Studies. These programs are fully online, catering to working professionals.
• Doctoral Degrees: The university also offers doctoral degree programs, which include a residency requirement.

Accreditation: The United States Sports University maintains robust accreditation, ensuring the quality and recognition of its programs:

• Regional Accreditation: USSU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees.
• Program-Specific Accreditation:
  • Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP): All sports management degrees (bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral) are accredited by ACBSP, a leading accrediting body for business education.
  • National Committee for the Accreditation of Coaching Education (NCACE): USSU’s coaching education programs are accredited by NCACE, signifying alignment with the National Standards for Sport Coaches.
  • NSCA Education Recognition Program (ERP): Strength and conditioning programs are recognized by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), preparing students for NSCA-Certified Personal Trainer® (NSCA-CPT®) or Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist® (CSCS®) certifications.

Additionally, USSU has been approved by the United States Department of Defense to offer master’s degree courses to members of the Armed Forces.

Campus and Facilities

Located in Daphne, Alabama, the USSU campus provides a rich environment for sport education and appreciation:

American Sport Art Museum and Archives (ASAMA): Founded in 1984, ASAMA houses a vast collection of over 1,000 works of sport art from renowned artists, many of whom have been honored by the Academy as Sport Artist of the Year. It also features an outdoor sculpture park.

Human Performance Lab: A state-of-the-art facility equipped for testing exercise and sports performance.

Robert Block Library: A comprehensive resource for academic and sports-specific materials, including an Olympic Room with memorabilia.

Intercollegiate Sports Teams: In 2023, USSU launched on-campus intercollegiate sports teams, including men’s and women’s soccer, baseball, softball, and men’s and women’s track and field, recruiting student-athletes from various levels.

Affiliated Facilities: The university also utilizes local sports complexes like the Daphne Sports Complex and Fairhope Soccer Complex.

Research and Publications

USSU actively contributes to scholarly discourse in sport through various publications:

• The Sport Journal: An online, peer-reviewed journal established in 1998, featuring research and scholarly articles on key issues in sport for a global audience of researchers, educators, practitioners, and enthusiasts.
• The Sport Digest: The university’s blog dedicated to contemporary issues in sport, with articles written by faculty, staff, and other experts.
• The Network: A quarterly alumni magazine providing university news, events, academic programs, and alumni updates.
• Publishing Opportunities: Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to submit manuscripts for publication, with free posting services available for students.

Partnerships and Initiatives

The United States Sports University has forged strategic partnerships with industry-leading organizations to offer diverse professional development options and expand its global reach:

Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) and Air University Associate to Baccalaureate Cooperative (AU-ABC) program: Allows CCAF degree holders to transfer credits towards a Bachelor of Sport Science degree.

National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA): Offers Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and discounts on NSCA certification exams for Academy students.

U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA): Provides CEUs for successful completion of approved USTFCCCA courses.

National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS): Offers bachelor’s and master’s semester hours and CEUs for completing approved NFHS courses.

United Soccer Coaches Association (USC): Partners to offer CEUs for select USC courses.

National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA): Collaborates on CEUs for attending approved NWCA conventions and seminars.

National High School Basketball Association (NHSBA): Offers the Certification in Sports Management (CSM) program.

International Collaborations: The Academy has a long history of international agreements, including significant work in the Middle East, demonstrating its commitment to global sport development and cultural exchange programs in over 65 nations.

Awards and Recognition

USSU recognizes excellence in sport through its Awards of Sport series, also known as “The Artist and the Athlete” tribute. These awards honor sports figures for their accomplishments in performance, humanitarian activities, fitness, and media. Notable awards include:

• Amos Alonzo Stagg Coaching Award: Presented annually to outstanding coaches.
• Carl Maddox Sport Management Award: Recognizes significant contributions to sport management.

Notable Alumni

While the university attracts a diverse student body, some notable alumni have achieved prominence in the sports world, including:

• Mike Leach: Renowned American college football coach.
• Greg McDermott: American basketball coach for the Creighton Bluejays.
• Steve Hawkins: American college basketball coach.
• Aimee Buchanan: American-Israeli competitive figure skater and Olympian.

The United States Sports University continues to evolve, solidifying its position as a vital institution for sport education, research, and leadership on a global scale. Its commitment to academic excellence, innovative delivery methods, and extensive partnerships ensures its ongoing impact on the world of sport.

FAQs about United States Sports University

What is the United States Sports University (USSU)?
The United States Sports University (USSU) is a private institution in Daphne, Alabama, dedicated exclusively to sports education. It was founded in 1972 and is recognized globally for its academic and professional contributions to sport.

What was the former name of USSU?
USSU was formerly known as the United States Sports Academy before its name was officially changed in February 2025.

Why was the institution founded?
It was established to improve the quality of sports coaching and training in the U.S. after poor athletic performance at the 1972 Summer Olympics and findings from the Blythe-Mueller Report.

What types of degree programs does USSU offer?
USSU offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in various sports-related fields such as Sports Management, Coaching, Exercise Science, and Sports Studies.

Are the programs offered online?
Yes, USSU provides flexible learning formats including fully online, on-campus, and hybrid options.

What is the accreditation status of USSU?
USSU is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and holds program-specific accreditations from ACBSP, NCACE, and NSCA ERP.

Does USSU offer doctoral programs?
Yes, USSU offers doctoral programs that include a required residency component.

What are some of the unique learning features at USSU?
The university offers a mentorship program, continuing education, and one of the earliest distance learning platforms in sports education.

What facilities are available on campus?
Key facilities include the American Sport Art Museum and Archives (ASAMA), a Human Performance Lab, and the Robert Block Library.

What is ASAMA?
ASAMA, the American Sport Art Museum and Archives, is an on-campus museum that features over 1,000 sport-related artworks and honors artists annually.

Does USSU have intercollegiate sports teams?
Yes, since 2023, USSU has launched men’s and women’s teams in soccer, baseball, softball, and track and field.

What publications does USSU produce?
USSU publishes The Sport Journal (peer-reviewed), The Sport Digest (blog), and The Network (alumni magazine).

Can students publish their research through USSU?
Yes, students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to submit manuscripts for publication and are provided with free posting services.

Does USSU partner with other organizations?
Yes, it partners with groups like NSCA, NFHS, USC, NWCA, NHSBA, USTFCCCA, and the Community College of the Air Force, among others.

Is USSU approved to educate military personnel?
Yes, USSU is approved by the U.S. Department of Defense to offer master’s programs to members of the Armed Forces.

What international programs does USSU offer?
USSU has active cultural exchange and educational programs in over 65 countries, particularly with a strong presence in the Middle East.

What awards does USSU present?
USSU presents the Awards of Sport series, including the Amos Alonzo Stagg Coaching Award and Carl Maddox Sport Management Award, recognizing excellence in various areas of sport.

Who are some notable alumni from USSU?
Prominent alumni include Mike Leach (college football coach), Greg McDermott (basketball coach), Steve Hawkins (basketball coach), and Aimee Buchanan (Olympic figure skater).

Is USSU involved in sports research?
Yes, USSU actively contributes to sports research through its publications and supports academic scholarship across the industry.

Can professionals earn continuing education credits at USSU?
Yes, professionals can earn CEUs through approved courses and partnerships with various national coaching and sports organizations.

What makes USSU a global leader in sport education?
USSU’s specialized focus, global partnerships, extensive accreditation, flexible learning formats, and long-standing history of innovation in sport education make it a recognized global leader.

The United States Sports University stands as a pioneering institution in global sport education, combining academic rigor, professional development, and international outreach. With its comprehensive degree programs, respected accreditations, innovative learning methods, and a strong commitment to research and service, USSU continues to shape the future of sport leadership and education worldwide. Its legacy of excellence, global impact, and dedication to advancing the field of sport ensures its continued relevance and influence in the years to come.