Dr. Mark Slavich

Mark Slavich became part of the Grand View family at the start of the fall 2017 semester. He is the newest member of the Business Administration department, joining Dr. Scott Bull as the department's sport management faculty. Mark completed his Ph.D. at Virginia Commonwealth University, with a research focus on the sport fan experience. Prior to VCU, Mark earned degrees from LSU, and spent time working in sports information at both LSU and Middle Tennessee State.

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Education Background

• Marketing (B.S.), Louisiana State University, 2009
• Sport Management (M.S.), Louisiana State University, 2011
• Sport Leadership (Ph.D.), Virginia Commonwealth University, 2017

Start Date at Grand View

• August 28, 2017

Areas of Expertise

Mark's research focus is components of the sport fan experience including the role of food and beverages at sporting events and the function of nostalgia and identity within these experiences.

Research / Accomplishments

Mark's research portfolio includes publications in Sport Marketing Quarterly, Journal of Global Sport Management, and Case Studies in Sport Management. Mark has also presented at annual conferences including the North American Society for Sport Management, Sport Marketing Association, and Sport Entertainment and Venues Tomorrow. He has also had the opportunity to conduct research with several Minor League Baseball organizations including the Richmond Flying Squirrels, Birmingham Barons, and New Orleans Baby Cakes.

Publications

• Slavich, M. A., Dwyer, B., & Rufer, L. (in press). An evolving experience: An investigation of the impact of sporting event factors on spectator satisfaction. Journal of Global Sport Management.
• Slavich, M. A., Rufer, L., & Greenhalgh, G. (in press). Can concessions take you out to the ballpark? An investigation of concessions motivation. Sport Marketing Quarterly.
• LeCrom, C. W., Slavich, M. A., Rufer, L., Greenhalgh, G., & Dwyer, B. (2016). Recalibrating the scale: A case of reseating a sold-out arena. Case Studies in Sport Management, 5(2), 10-16.
• LeCrom, C. W., Rufer, L., Slavich, M. A., Greenhalgh, G., & Dwyer, B. (2016). Exploring predictors of graduate school and career success: A case study in sport management. College Student Journal, 50, 513-530.
• Slavich, M. A. (2015). NHL. In Dodds, M. & Reese, J. [eds.], Sports Leadership: A Concise Reference Guide. Croton-on-Hudson, NY: Golson Media.
• Slavich, M. A. (2015). Team Rankings. In Dodds, M. & Reese, J. [eds.], Sports Leadership: A Concise Reference Guide. Croton-on-Hudson, NY: Golson Media.
• Clopton, A. W., & Slavich, M. A. (2012). A theoretical positioning of Major League Baseball's organizational strategy. Journal of Contemporary Athletics, 6, 219-232.
• Slavich, M. A., Morehead, C., & O'Hallarn, B. (in review). "We Smoked a Gator!": An Exploration of College Football Fans' Instagramming of Food. Journal of Intercollegiate Sport.
• Williams, D., Slavich, M. A., & Tutka, P. (in review). #ConcernedNCAA2016: The legitimacy of the University of Missouri football team boycott and its impact on the NCAA. Journal of Intercollegiate Sport.
• Williams, D., Rode, C., & Slavich, M. A. (in review). Camping for the need of speed: An analysis of the motivations of NASCAR fanatics to camp at racing events. Global Sport Business Journal.

Personal Interests

A native of New Orleans and the son of a restauranteur, Mark enjoys sports, food, and travel. During his previous travels, he has visited 48 states including more than 30 Major League Baseball ballparks and each Southeastern Conference campus, mostly following his LSU Tigers. His favorite travel experience was a college road trip with friends, driving from Baton Rouge, La., to Fairbanks, Alaska.

Recent Accomplishments

Mark successfully defended his dissertation on Friday, October 13, 2017. The title of his dissertation is "Taken back by the ballpark: The role of nostalgia in the Minor League Baseball spectator experience." The project investigated spectators' emotional and behavioral responses to nostalgic experiences while attending a Minor League Baseball game. He was advised on the project by Dr. Brendan Dwyer. With completion of the dissertation, Mark has earned his Ph.D. in Education (Sport Leadership concentration) from Virginia Commonwealth University. Congratulations, Mark!

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