Dan Matheson

Professor
Director of Graduate Studies
Director of Undergraduate Studies
Biography

Dan Matheson is the Director of the Sport & Recreation Management program. Prior to joining the Univ. of Iowa faculty, Dan worked as an NCAA Associate Director of Enforcement and as the New York Yankees Director of Baseball Operations. In 2016, Dan begins a five-year term on the Univ. of Iowa Presidential Committee on Athletics, which is the faculty advisory committee to the Athletics Department. Dan is frequently asked to provide expert insights during media coverage of sport industry issues, and his contributions have appeared in such media outlets as ESPN’s “Outside the Lines,” the New York Times and SiriusXM’s “College Sports Nation.” In his teaching and other service to the campus, Dan prioritizes connecting students with employers to network and get hands-on experience with real projects whenever possible. One of Dan's course highlights in recent years has been the instructor-led practicum that gives students a two-week work experience with the Chicago Blackhawks during the summer. Dan leads the popular field trip program that has provided opportunities for hundreds of Univ. of Iowa students over the years to meet with and learn from executives at such organizations as the Indiana Pacers, NCAA, Minnesota Twins, Kansas City Chiefs, USA Track & Field and many more prominent sport organizations.

Courses taught

  • Sport Business Practices
  • Liability in Sport and Recreation
  • NCAA Rules Compliance and Enforcement
  • Sport and Recreation Promotion
  • Sport and Recreation Business Practicum with Chicago Blackhawks
  • Sport and Recreation Business Practicum with Iowa Energy

Educational/research interests

  • Experiential learning
  • Mentoring students seeking careers in professional and intercollegiate athletics
  • Field trips
  • NCAA compliance, infractions and rules enforcement
  • NCAA governance
  • Intercollegiate athletics administration
  • Pro player personnel operations
  • Negotiation

Presentations

  • 2016 Univ. of Iowa Greek Week Educational Presenter: “Professionalism, Networking and Preparing for your Dream Career.”
  • 2013 Univ. of Iowa Presidential Committee on Athletics: Presentation on the NCAA enforcement process
  • 2012 Univ. of Iowa College of Law: Panelist during presentation on alternative careers
  • 2012 Univ. of Iowa College of Law: Panelist during presentation on the NCAA compliance and enforcement process
  • 2012 Univ. of Iowa College of Law: Panelist during presentation on the business of intercollegiate athletics

Honors and Awards

  • University of Iowa President and Provost Award for Teaching Excellence (2016)
  • Dean’s Distinguished Lecturer in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (2017 and 2018 calendar years)
Dan Matheson is a Professor of Instruction, Director of Graduate Studies, and Director of Undergraduate Studies in Sport and Recreation Management.
MA, Sport and Recreation Management, University of Minnesota
BS, Sport and Recreation Management, University of Minnesota
Address

University of Iowa
312 Field House (FH)
225 S. Grand Ave.
Iowa City, IA 52242
United States