The Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies at the University of Tennessee honored Brody Ruihley, PhD as its Sport Studies Alumni Scholar for 2017-18. Ruihley, who received his PhD in Kinesiology and Sport Studies with a concentration in Sport Studies and specialization in Sport Management from UT in 2010, is currently an assistant professor in the Sport Leadership and Management program at Miami University in Ohio.
As recipient of the alumni scholar honor, Ruihley returned to the UT campus on February 26, 2018 to deliver a presentation on his line of research entitled, “Fantasy Sport: Why it Matters.” In the presentation, he emphasized the size and scope of the fantasy sport industry as well as the important role fantasy sport users play in shaping sport media programming. In addition to his research presentation, Ruihley provided a guest lecture in the undergraduate “Intercollegiate Athletics” course and discussed his professional experiences with current PhD students in the department’s sport studies doctoral seminar.
“It was a tremendous honor to return to campus where so many memories were made and where my academic career truly began. Seeing so many familiar people from support staff, faculty, to advisors and current students warmed my heart,” Ruihley said. “This Alumni Scholar program is an excellent way for alumni to come back and share their work with their academic family, to receive support and encouragement, and to speak with doctoral students about their experiences. Academia can be a lonely profession at times, but events like this remind me that I have many people in my academic circle that are pulling for me and proud of the work I have accomplished.”
Ruihley has published more than 35 academic journal articles and book chapters. He is also the co-author of The Fantasy Sport Industry: Games within Games (Routledge, 2014). His areas of expertise include fantasy sport, public relations in sport, college athletics, and marketing. Prior to his current position at Miami University, he also held academic appointments at the University of Cincinnati and University of Southern Indiana. While completing his PhD at Tennessee from 2007-10, he was advised by Rob Hardin, PhD.