University of Florida Announces Launch of New Professional Development Course for Racquet Sports Professionals
“Personal Brand Management Course” Now Open for Enrollment
GAINESVILLE, FL – June 2025 — The University of Florida’s Department of Sport Management has announced the official launch of a newly developed professional development course for racquet sports professionals, marking the beginning of a multi-phase expansion of its nationally recognized Director of Racquet Sports (DORS) professional development track.
The newly released course, Personal Brand Management for Racquet Sports Professionals, is now open for enrollment and available to all individuals working in or aspiring to enter the racquets industry. This online, self-paced program was created in direct response to a widely acknowledged challenge within the industry: The need for professionals to develop effective tools for career advancement, including personal branding, communication, and interview preparedness.
The course is open enrollment and requires no application or prerequisites. To earn the completion certificate, students will invest 12 hours of time listening to videos, reading resources and completing assignments, including a personal career consultation.
Four structures learning modules
The course is comprised of four structured modules and a culminating capstone experience. The curriculum includes:
Lesson 1: Maximizing Personal Brand Value
Activity: Self-assessment and mission clarificationLesson 2: Selling Yourself Through Written Communication
Activity: Resume formulation, cover letter creationLesson 3: Selling Yourself – Verbally
Activity: Interview practice using a custom-built AI chatbotLesson 4: Networking and Social Media Management
Activity: Development or optimization of a professional LinkedIn profile
Upon successful completion of the learning modules, students will submit a final project and participate in a one-on-one career consultation with Len Simard, Executive Search Consultant at Kopplin, Kuebler & Wallace, or a member of his team. This career-focused feedback session offers participants direct insight from one of the industry’s most experienced hiring professionals.
Upcoming Courses in the Director of Racquet Sports Curriculum
Following the release of the Personal Brand Management course, the University of Florida will also introduce two updated courses that build on the legacy of the original Director of Racquet Sports Certificate Course:
Director of Racquet Sports Course #1: Facilities, Operations, and Marketing in the Era of Multiple Racquet Sports
This course focuses on foundational business operations essential to managing a racquets department or club. It will be open to all individuals, with no admissions procedure, in July 2025.Director of Racquet Sports Course #2: Leadership, Management & Finance
Intended for seasoned professionals seeking advanced leadership preparation, this course will require successful completion of Course #1 and a minimum of five years of relevant work experience. Launch is anticipated in Fall 2025.
Both courses will be delivered in a fully online, self-paced format, with assignments reviewed and graded by industry professionals. Industry consultants Doug Cash and Ajay Pant will serve as adjunct professors in Director of Racquet Sports Course #2.
Commitment to Industry-Relevant, Accessible Education
Since the program’s inception in 2021, the University of Florida’s Director of Racquet Sports curriculum has produced more than 70 graduates. The program has been endorsed and supported by major governing bodies in the racquet sports industry, including the United States Tennis Association (USTA). the Racquet Sports Professionals Association (RSPA) and Professional Tennis Registry (PTR).
“We are proud to deliver training that is rigorous, relevant, and deeply responsive to the current needs of racquet sports leadership,” said Kim Bastable, Director of the DORS Program
The DORS program is housed within the Institute for Coaching Excellence in the University of Florida’s Department of Sport Management, a nationally ranked academic program. UF Online was ranked No. 2 in the nation for Best Online Bachelor's Programs by U.S. News & World Report in 2025, and its online Master’s in Sport Management program has been consistently recognized as the best in the country by TheBestSchools.org and BestColleges.com.
For More Information
To learn more about the Personal Brand Management for Racquet Sports Professionals course or to register, visit:
www.UF-DORS.com
