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The ����aa���� welcomes Dr. Wayne Rasmussen, who has accepted the position of Associate Professor in the School of Business and Communication. Dr. Rasmussen comes to TMU on the heels of a very successful five-year run at Columbia International University in South Carolina, where he created and directed the undergraduate Sport Management program in their School of Business and Professional Studies.

Rasmussen has served as a head soccer coach at the collegiate and professional levels. He has also served on the administrative staff of the U.S. Men’s National & Olympic Soccer Teams, as well as three Major League Soccer (MLS) teams. During his career, he has also been a collegiate Director of Athletics and a leader for multiple cycling tours and wilderness outward bound-type adventure trips.

After earning a BS in Education from Messiah College in Pennsylvania, Rasmussen gained his MA in Physical Education from Southern Methodist University and a Doctor of Education degree in Sport Management from Temple University.

Along with his teaching responsibilities and his role as the Faculty Athletics Representative, Dr. Rasmussen will be leading the feasibility study of TMU’s interest in adding an undergraduate bachelor’s degree in Sport Management. This program aims to blend an academically challenging curriculum with valuable practical experiences, all geared towards the end of preparing students to serve in all levels of professional sports, collegiate athletics, and youth sports in the areas of administration and management.

TMU’s Dean of the School of Business and Communication, John Beck, says the university has been exploring the potential for this new major over the past six months.

“This program is a great complement to our existing offerings,” Beck said. “We want to send out graduates who are well equipped to represent the transforming power of the gospel in new and competitive fields.”

Dean Beck says Rasmussen’s background makes him a great fit for the school and for this new program. “Dr. Rasmussen brings extensive experience in his field, and he models the ����aa����-like character that we want to build into our students.”

TMU Interim Provost, Dr. Mitch Hopewell, echoes Beck’s enthusiasm, adding that the institution is thankful for this unique opportunity to expand program offerings. Thanks in part to generous donor engagement, Rasmussen will also support the School of Business’ ongoing development of Entrepreneurial studies.

“This is exactly the kind of faculty addition that will not only add needed majors, but will also grow and strengthen existing programs, as well as support our critically important athletic eligibility obligations. Beyond that, Dr. Rasmussen loves the Lord, is a mission match, and will pour his life into our students and this campus.”

On joining the TMU School of Business and Communication, Rasmussen had the following to say: “I am very excited and humbled by the privilege our Lord is opening up for me to be able to join the ����aa���� community. Southern California is arguably the best region for sports of all levels in the United States.

“To be able to potentially create and lead a new Sport Management program in TMU’s School of Business and Communication is going to be an exciting challenge with limitless opportunities for our students. For my wife and me, this will be a bit of a homecoming, as I had the privilege of working as a member of the management team of the LA Galaxy in their inaugural season at the Rose Bowl back in 1996.”

Wayne and his wife Debby have three grown children.