James E. Thoma is the director of the University of Mount Union Sport Business program. His education includes a B.S. in Metallurgical Engineering from Grove City College, a M.A. in Sport Management and a Ph.D. in Sport Science, both from The Ohio State University. Thoma's philosophy for the Sport Business program stems from his experiences as a football and track coach from the secondary schools through the National Coach of Brunei Darussalam and experience with athletics and administration throughout Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Having previously been with Track and Field/USA as National Teams Coordinator and the United States Sports Academy has provided him with unique perspectives with which to advise students and directing Mount Union's Sport Business Program. He is the co-author with Dr. Laurence Chalip of SPORT GOVERNANCE IN THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY and creator and editor of the GLOBAL SPORT MANAGEMENT NEWS. On July 1, 2008 Thoma became the Associate Dean of the University at Mount Union after having served on many committees and task forces during his years at Mount Union. In the fall of 1999 Thoma spent his sabbatical teaching at Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia, and traveling throughout Australia and Sabah, Malaysia, while investigating sport and adventure tourism. Having met his wife, Judy, while living in Kota Kinabalu (Malaysian Borneo), he is a frequent visitor to Asia. Jim is married to Judy Majalap of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, and they have three children - Louise (24), Jonathan (23), and Andrea (22). Louise is a physical therapy graduate student at The Ohio State University after having graduated in exercise science from Mount Union. Louise was the Ohio NCAA D-III pole vault champion and coaches gymnastics. Jonathan was a communications major at The Ohio State University while being on the Buckeye football team. Andrea graduated from Kent State University where she was an exercise physiology major and co-captained the Kent State soccer team.
Office:  McPherson 2391 Phone:  330-823-4772 Toll Free:  800-992-6682 ext. 4772 Fax:  330-823-2399 thomaje@mountunion.edu www.mountunion.edu
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