Brett Anderson

Brett Anderson is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Applied Physiology and Sport Management at Southern Methodist University (SMU). His teaching philosophy emphasizes experiential, discussion-based learning that bridges academic theory with the realities of the sport industry while fostering curiosity, critical thinking, professional growth, and ethical leadership. Through industry partnerships, guest speakers, case studies, and applied learning experiences, he strives to create engaging classroom environments that prepare students to become contributing members of society and confident professionals capable of standing on their own in an increasingly dynamic sport industry.

Brett is currently completing his Ph.D. in Sport Management and Policy at the University of Georgia. He earned a Master of Science in Coaching and Sport Education from West Virginia University, a Bachelor of Kinesiology from the University of Alberta, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from York University in Toronto, Canada. Prior to joining SMU, he served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the University of Georgia’s Sport Management program and as an Assistant Video Performance Coach with the University of Georgia Swimming and Diving program, one of the nation’s premier collegiate swimming programs.

Before entering higher education full time, Brett spent nearly two decades working throughout North America, Europe, and parts of Asia as a high-performance hockey coach, athletics consultant, and athletic director. His experience spans professional hockey, international competition, major junior hockey, collegiate athletics, college preparatory programs, and athlete development. This extensive applied background continues to shape both his teaching and scholarship by connecting academic theory with the practical realities of modern sport organizations.

His research interests include sport governance, sport policy, athlete development, organizational behavior, sport marketing, emerging technologies in sport, and collegiate athletics, with particular emphasis on NCAA governance, athlete decision-making, hockey development pathways, and contemporary issues affecting the sport industry. His scholarly work includes peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, invited reviews, and conference presentations addressing contemporary issues in sport governance, athlete development, marketing, organizational leadership, and sport policy. His work has appeared in the Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics, the Sports Business Journal, and the Global Sport Business Journal, and has been presented at national and international conferences, including the World Association for Sport Management (WASM), the Global Sport Business Association (GSBA), and the North American Society for the Sociology of Sport (NASSS). His paper examining the role of club sports in college selection received the 2026 Global Sport Business Association Best Paper Award.

His research combines extensive industry experience with quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods approaches to generate practical insights that inform scholarship, teaching, and professional practice. Brett serves on the editorial boards of the Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics and the Global Sport Business Journal and regularly contributes as a reviewer for academic journals and international conferences.

Outside of academia, Brett enjoys following collegiate and professional sports, particularly American football, baseball, hockey, golf, Formula One, and motocross. He also enjoys domestic and international travel and is passionate about mentoring students, building meaningful industry relationships, and creating learning experiences that extend well beyond the classroom.