The University of Massachusetts Boston (UMass Boston) has announced a commitment of $10 million from New Balance Athletics, Inc. to establish the New Balance Institute for Innovative Leadership in Sport at the university. The donation will provide operational funds to launch the institute.
The New Balance Institute for Innovative Leadership in Sport will focus on conducting and publishing research on the sports industry while also cultivating external partnerships, expanding funding sources and gaining support across the sports industry. Its innovative and interdisciplinary program is meant to offer “a robust social justice platform to advance excellence, equity, diversity, and human rights in sports,” New Balance said.
The new commitment builds on the New Balance Sport Leadership and Administration program, founded at UMass Boston with a $5 million gift in 2018. Since this program opened in autumn 2019, it has grown to 127 students majoring in sports leadership and administration, with another 34 students having already graduated. Students have participated in a combined 10,000 hours of internships in the sports industry. The new institute will aim to increase student enrollment in the academic program to 200-300 students annually and expand internship and employment opportunities. As the new institute becomes operational and grows, UMass Boston will establish sports industry labs focused on career readiness and a certification program for sports industry professionals.
UMass Boston is the only public research university in Boston, Massachusetts. Its colleges and graduate schools serve around 16,000 students. New Balance is also headquartered in Boston and owns five factories in New England, plus one in Flimby, UK.
