This year, the UD Alfred Lerner College welcomed several new faculty members into its community. Jim Kaden is a visiting instructor of sport management; he spoke with Lerner his vast experience in the athletics profession and what brought him to UD.
Lerner: What is your professional and academic background?
Kaden: I earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing management from Siena College and a master of education from East Stroudsburg University, completed the University of Michigan Ice Arena Management Program, and have built my career in athletics and facility operations as Supervisor of Events in the Athletics Department (1995–1997), Associate Athletic Director and Director of the Ice Arena/Outdoor Aquatics Center (1997–2025), while also serving as an adjunct professor since 2008.
Lerner: What inspired you to work in your field/research/subject area?
Kaden: The students at the University of Delaware inspired me to teach full-time. I have been an adjunct professor since 2008. Seeing the students succeed outside the classroom inspired me to want to teach on a full-time basis. I also enjoy the ability to teach a wide range of classes within the program including; Introduction to Sports Management, Sports Law, Sports Finance, Sports Event and Facility Management as well as the Sports Practicum class.
Lerner: What is it about UD that made you want to work/teach/research here?
Kaden: I’ve been at UD for over 30 years and love being a Blue Hen. Both my sons have graduated from UD and my wife has her MBA from Lerner. Having been in the athletic profession for over 30 years, I enjoy bringing “real life” experiences into the classroom setting. I also enjoy the experiential learning aspect of teaching in the sports management program. Hundreds of students in the sports management program have gained valuable experience working in the UD athletic department and in a lot of my classes, we bring in guest speakers who are experts in their chosen fields.
Lerner: What course are you most excited to teach at Lerner?
Kaden: I enjoy teaching all the classes at UD. Sport Event and Facility Management is my favorite class to each as that is my professional background, but I also enjoy teaching the Introduction to Sports Management class as a lot of freshmen are not aware of all the “jobs” in sports outside college and professional sports. It’s also fun as we have a mixture of all classes (freshmen through seniors) taking the class and having the upperclassmen help the freshman navigate college is rewarding as well.
Lerner: What is something unique about you that may surprise your peers/students? (hobby, talent, experience etc.)
Kaden: I played college baseball and am a huge Dodgers fan. Plus, I am a huge Darth Vader fan, and if you visit my office during office hours I have a big collection of Darth Vader items in my office.