Human Performance & Sport

Explore human performance and sport at UO

Global leadership in sport and human performance education, research, and engagement. The UO is a founding member in the Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance, which seeks to study peak performance—from the molecular level to the whole body—with the goal of enabling all people to achieve optimal health and well-being.

Companies flock to Pacific Northwest

Our worldwide reputation in athletics extends far beyond the playing field. UO innovations have been a driving force in making Oregon the epicenter of the global sports-products industry. Today, we’re producing the next generation of sports business and media leaders. The Northwest is the birthplace of several sports apparel companies and many more have chosen to set their headquarters in our backyard. In addition to the big names, a large portion of companies in the sport and wellness industry in the area are small businesses, creating a strong culture of entrepreneurship.

Oregon has deep industry connections to sport and athletic apparel companies, headquartered in Oregon. Our graduates have deep connections to Nike, and Columbia Sportswear Company.

By the numbers

The human performance and sport industry plays a key role in Eugene, Bend, and Portland. According to the Portland Business Alliance's "The State of Sport" report, the industry drives:

130,000

jobs in the industry and jobs in other sectors the industry supports

$29B

in total economic output every year, including direct and indirect impacts

56%

growth compared to 21% growth of other sectors in the Greater Portland area

Check out our post-grad programs

Sports Product Management

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Learn the business of creating sports and outdoor apparel, footwear, and equipment through the lenses of global business, sustainability, and innovation.

Sports Product design

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Use science and creative problem-solving methods to innovate products that push the boundaries of society and the field of sport.

Master of Business Administration, Sports Business

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An immersive, focused experience that blends classroom instruction with real-world practice. Blend classroom instruction with real-world practice to learn about sports sponsorships, marketing, merchandising, stadium financing, and more.

Bioengineering Phd (STEM)

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Bioengineering students at the Knight Campus have access to 13 independent faculty-led labs, ranging in focus from 3D printing and laser microfabrication to gene therapy, tissue regeneration, and polymer chemistry.

Human Physiology (STEM)

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Explore new ways to maintain or improve quality of life, development of new medical therapies and interventions, and charting the unanswered questions about how the human body works.

Prevention Science

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A strengths-based program designed to promote health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities by learning how to reduce risk and enhance protective factors in children, youth, and families.

Join industry leaders at UO

We believe in leveraging sport research to help people enjoy not just longer, but healthier lives. The UO is a founding member in the Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance, which seeks to study peak performance—from the molecular level to the whole body—with the goal of enabling all people to achieve optimal health and well-being. The Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance at Oregon is centered in the Knight Campus but involves investigators from across the UO who are working to speed the transformation of discoveries into new treatments, technologies, and training protocols.

Oregon has a lot to offer students interested in pursuing a career in human performance and sport, including:

► Human Performance and Sport at UO
► Academic and research opportunities
► World Athletic Championships
► Global Sport University Network

Global Sport Summer School

Sporting Across Sectors: Exploring the world of sport through performance science, sports business, and sports product design

Our concentrated three-week program packs maximum value into minimal time away, featuring specialized athletic training sessions that ensure you maintain peak performance while abroad. Students will gain exposure to industry experts who are leading the way in the world of sport.