Overview

Dr. G. Clayton (Clay) Stoldt is a professor of sport management and the faculty athletics representative (FAR) at Wichita State University. With a decade of experience in college athletics, Dr. Stoldt joined WSU in 1998. He teaches and conducts research in sport public relations and college athletics. Dr. Stoldt also has nearly 20 years of experience in academic leadership, serving as interim dean, associate dean, and department chair. He was an inaugural inductee into the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation Hall of Fame and has also received a distinguished service award from the North American Society for Sport Management.

Information

Academic Interests and Expertise

Education

University of Oklahoma
Norman, Oklahoma
Doctor of Education, May, 1998
Major: Adult and Higher Education

University of Oklahoma
Norman, Oklahoma
Master of Science, 1990
Major: Health, Physical Education and Recreation — Sport Administration

University of Oklahoma
Norman, Oklahoma
Bachelor of Arts, May 1984
Major: Journalism — News Communication

Academic Interests and Expertise

  • Sport public relations
  • College athletics
  • Academic leadership
Areas of Research Interest
  • Sport public relations
  • Sport marketing
  • Competitive balance in college athletics
Areas of Teaching Interest

Select Undergraduate Courses Taught

  1. Sport Public Relations (SMGT 526/426)
  2. Marketing Sport and Physical Activity (SMGT 565/466)
  3. Sport in American Culture (SMGT 475)
  4. Practicum (SMGT 210)
  5. Pre-Internship Seminar (SMGT 446 – Team Taught)
  6. Internship-Sport Administration (SMGT 447/547)

Select Graduate Courses Taught

  1. Communication in Sport (SMGT 726/750/822)
  2. Sport in Society (SMGT 760/811)
  3. Sport Marketing (SMGT 803)
  4. Seminar-Sport Business (SMGT 540)
  5. Sport Consumer Research (SMGT 750)
  6. Mentoring and Networking (SMGT 799)
  7. Internship in Sport Management (SMGT 847)
  8. Special Topics (SMGT 890)
Publications

Books Published

  1. Stoldt, G.C., Dittmore, S.W., Ross, R.M., & Branvold, S.E. (2021). Sport public relations: (3rd ed.). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
  2. Stoldt, G.C., Dittmore, S.W., & Branvold, S.E. (2012). Sport public relations: Managing stakeholder communication (2nd). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
  3. Stoldt, G.C., Dittmore, S.W., & Branvold, S.E. (2006). Sport public relations: Managing organizational communication. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

Book Chapters (Select)

  1. Stoldt, G.C., & Vermillion, M.C. (2025). Careers in sport management.  In D.V. Knudson & T. Brusseau (Eds.). Introduction to Kinesiology (7th ed). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
  2. Stoldt, G.C. (2024). College sport communicators; Evolution of the field. In P.M. Pedersen (Ed.). Communication in Sport Management (pp. 116-130). New York: Routledge.
  3. Stoldt, G.C., Dittmore, S.W., & Pedersen, P.M. (2021). Communication in the sport industry. In P.M. Pedersen, & L. Thibault (Eds.). Contemporary Sport Management (7th ed., ch. 17). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

Academic Publications (Select)

  1. Perline, M.M., Noble, J.S., & Stoldt, G.C. (2018). Competitive balance in NCAA “Power Conferences:” The case of men’s and women’s basketball. The Sport Journal. Retrieved from http://thesportjournal.org/article/competitive-balance-in-ncaa-power-conferences-the-case-of-mens-and-womens-basketball/
  2. Noble, J., Perline, M.M., & Stoldt, G.C. (2018). The Big East break-up: Effects on competitive balance. The Journal of SPORT,62(1). Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.kent.edu/sport/
  3. Noble, J., Perline, M.M., & Stoldt, G.C. (2016, July). Big 12 football: Competitive balance before and after realignment. The Sport Journal. Retrieved from http://thesportjournal.org/article/big-12-football-competitive-balance-before-and-after-realignment/ 
  4. Perline, M.M., Noble, J., & Stoldt, G.C. (2015). Member turnover among intercollegiate athletic conferences: A contributing factor to competitive imbalance among football playing-institutions. Applied Research in Coaching and Athletics, 30, 1-14.
  5. Stoldt, G.C., Perline, M.M., & Vermillion, M.C. (2013). Competitive balance in college football: Additional analysis on the effects of changes in conference membership. The Journal of SPORT, 2(2), 130-153.
  6. Stoldt, G.C., & Vermillion, M.C. (2013). The organizational roles of college athletics communicators: Relationship to the usage and perceptions of social media. International Journal of Sport Communication, 6, 185-202.
  7. Perline, M.M., Stoldt, G.C., & Vermillion, M. (2009). An analysis of competitive success between public and private institutions: The case of Missouri Valley Conference. Journal of Contemporary Athletics, 4 (3), 1-14.
  8. Stoldt, G.C., Ratzlaff, S.E., & Ramolet,, A. (2009). The “Vote Yea” campaign: A case study in two-way asymmetrical communication. International Journal of Sport Management, 10, 410-428.
  9. Stoldt, G.C., Miller, L.K., & Vermillion, M.C. (2009). Public relations evaluation in sport: Views from the field. International Journal of Sport Communication, 2, 223-239.
  10. Stoldt, G.C. (2008). Interview with John Humenik, executive director of the College Sports Information Directors of America. International Journal of Sport Communication, I, 458-464.
  11. Dittmore, S.W., Stoldt, G.C., & Greenwell, T.C. (2008). The use of an organizational Weblog in relationship building: The case of a Major League Baseball team. International Journal of Sport Communication, 1 (3), 384-397.
  12. Stoldt, G.C., & Narasimhan, V. (2005). Self assessments of collegiate sports information professionals regarding their public relations task expertise. International Journal of Sport Management, 6 (3), 252-269.
  13.  Stoldt, G.C., Miller, L.K., & Comfort, P.G. (2003). The status of women working in NCAA Division I-A sports information departments.  National Association of Girls and Women in Sport Online Journal.
  14. Schneider, R.G., & Stoldt, G.C. (2003). Professional sport leagues: Reflection on the past, anticipating the future. International Journal of Sport Management, 4, 301-324.
  15. Stoldt, G.C., Miller, L.K., & Comfort, P.G. (2001). Through the eyes of athletic directors:  Perceptions of sports information directors and other public relations issues.  Sport Marketing Quarterly, 10 (3), 44-52.
  16. Stoldt, G.C., Miller, L.K., Ayres, T., & Comfort, P.G. (2000). Crisis management planning: A necessity for sport managers. International Journal of Sport Management, 1 (4), 253-266.
  17. Stoldt, G.C., Smetana, G.K., & Miller, L.K. (2000). Changes in USA Today's sports coverage patterns during the NBA lockout: Implications for sport managers. Sport Marketing Quarterly, 9 (3), 124-130.

Professional Publications (Select)

  1. Vermillion, M.C., Stoldt, G.C., Alderman, H., Lubisco, R., & Birren, J. (2023). 2022 sport management faculty salary survey. Commission on Sport Management Accreditation: Author.
  2. Ross, R.M., Vermillion, M., Stoldt, G.C., Noble, J. Kim, W., Howe, C, Richardson, T., Zhang, L., & Elmore, C. (2014). Final Four media exposure valuation. Partnership for the Advancement of Sport Management, Wichita, KS.
Working Papers

Stoldt, G.C., Dittmore, S.W., & Ross, R.M. (2026). Sport public relations: Managing stakeholder communication (4th ed.). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. Pending publication

Vermillion, M., Stoldt, G.C., & Alderman, H. (2026). 2025 Sport Management Faculty Salary Survey. Commission on Sport Management Accreditation. Under development.

Professional Experience

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Wichita State University

Wichita, Kansas (1998-present)

  • Professor, Sport Management (Aug. 2010 –present)
  • Faculty Athletics Representative (June 2020-present)
  • Interim Dean, College of Applied Studies (2020-2022)
  • Associate Dean, College of Applied Studies (2013-2025)
  • Chair, Department of Sport Management (2007-13)
  • Associate Professor, Sport Management (2003-July 2010)
  • Assistant Professor, Sport Administration (1998-2003)

Oklahoma City University

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (1988-1998)

  • Sports Information Director (1988-89, 1990-1998)
  • Adjunct Professor -- Health and Physical Education (1996-1998)
  • Adjunct Professor -- Mass Communication (1990-1998)
  • Associate Director of Development for Athletics (1988-1989)

University of Oklahoma

Norman, Oklahoma (1988 and 1998)

  • Visiting Instructor — Journalism and Mass Communication (May 1998)
  • Visiting Instructor — Journalism and Mass Communication (January-May 1988)

KOMA/KRXO Radio

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (June 1986- January 1988)

Account Executive

KVSO Radio

Ardmore, Oklahoma (1984-1986)

Sports Director/Account Executive

[1] The College of Education rebranded as the College of Applied Studies in 2018.

Awards and Honors
  • 2023 WSU College of Applied Studies, College Champion
  • 2019 Commission on Sport Management Accreditation Hall of Fame – Inaugural class
  • 2013 Garth S. Paton Distinguished Service Award, North American Society for Sport Management
  • 2013 WSU Emory Lindquist Faculty Award
  • 2013 WSU College of Education Research Award
  • 2006 WSU College of Education Teaching Award
  • 2002 WSU Cooperative Education and Experiential Learning, Faculty Advisor of the Year
  • 1996 Oklahoma College Public Relations Association, Award of Excellence, Sports Writing,
Grants
  1. 2009: Internship-Laura Biery: $15,600, Disney’s Wide World of Sports, Lake Buena Vista, FL
  2. 2009: Internship-Vanessa Buehne: $15,600, Disney’s Wide World of Sports, Lake Buena Vista, FL
  3. 2008: Internship-Daniel Beckler: $15,600, Disney’s Wide World of Sports, Lake Buena Vista, FL
  4. 2007: Internship-Kris Dorsett: $5,000, The Superlative Group, Cleveland, OH
  5. 2006: Internship-Joshua Todd: $15,600, Disney’s Wide World of Sports, Lake Buena Vista, FL
  6. 2006 (co-authored with K. Torgerson & H. Ferralez): “Rock With The Shocks” Character Education Event, $10,000, Kansas Health Foundation, Wichita, KS 
  7. 2005: Internship-Sarah Ratzlaff: $15,600, Disney’s Wide World of Sports, Lake Buena Vista, FL
  8. 2005: Internship-Kristin Schultz: $15,600, Disney’s Wide World of Sports, Lake Buena Vista, FL
  9. 2004:Internship-Patricia Oleson: $15,600, Disney’s Wide World of Sports, Lake Buena Vista, FL
  10. 2004: Internship-Christopher Strief: $15,600, Disney’s Wide World of Sports, Lake Buena Vista, FL
  11. 2003: Internship-Leigh Ashman: $15,600, Disney’s Wide World of Sports, Lake Buena Vista, FL
  12. 2002: Internship-Sarah Hankins: $15,600, Disney’s Wide World of Sports, Lake Buena Vista, FL
  13. 2002: Internship-Kelly Lorson: $15,600, Disney’s Wide World of Sports, Lake Buena Vista, FL
  14. 2002: Internship-Jackie McChristian: $15,600, Disney’s Wide World of Sports, Lake Buena Vista, FL
  15. 2001: Internship-Darren Nelson: $13,200, Disney’s Wide World of Sports, Lake Buena Vista, FL
Areas of Service

ACADEMIC/PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

  1. Commission on Sport Management Accreditation
    • Chair, Board of Directors (2015-2018)
    • Nominating Committee (2010, 2013)
  2. North American Society for Sport Management
    • Member, Selection Committee-Distinguished Service Award (2013-15)
    • Member (Ex Officio), Executive Council (2009-10)
    • Conference Manager (2007-2010)
    • Chair, Conference Task Force (2007)
    • Member, Conference Guidelines Subcommittee (2006-2007)
    • Chair, 2006 Conference Committee (2003-2006)
    • Chair, Promotion & Publicity Committee (1999-2004)
    • Member, Promotion & Publicity Committee (2004-2006)
    • Reviewer, Student Research Competition, (2001-02)
    • Member (1997-present)
  3. Sport Marketing Association, Member (2002-2008, 2019)
  4. College Sports Information Directors of America
    • Division C Men’s Basketball Guide Contest Judge (2006)
    • Member (1988-present)
  5. Kansas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance
    • Chair, Sport Management Section (2001-02 and 2003-04)
    • Exhibitors Liaison, 2002 KAHPERD Conference
    • Member (2000-2007)
  6. National Association of Collegiate Marketers of Athletics
    • Conference Representatives Committee, Member (2005-2008)
    • Member (2006-2008)
  7. External Reviewer-Promotion Application, University of Indiana (2019)
  8. External Reviewer-Promotion Application, University of Indiana (2011)
  9. External Reviewer-Tenure and Promotion Application, University of Tennessee (2006)
  10. National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Sports Information Directors Association:
    • Member (1988-1998)
    • Contest Coordinator: basketball media guide contest (1997)
  11. United States Basketball Writers Association: Member (1988-1998)
  12. NAIA Broadcast Service: Play-by-play announcer for various teams competing in the NAIA Men’s Basketball Championships (1997 & 1998)
  13. OIC-SAC Basketball Shootout: Committee Member (1994 & 1995)

UNIVERSITY

  1. WSU, Chair-elect, Community and Industry Partnerships Activation Team – WSU Strategic Planning (2018-2019)
  2. WSU: Mentor in CAS Faculty Mentoring Program to 3 faculty colleagues (2018-present)
  3. WSU: Member, Search Committee-Assistant Vice President-Academic Affairs (2018)
  4. WSU: Member, Search Committee-Provost (2018)
  5. WSU: Chair, Search Committee-Honors College Associate Dean(2018)
  6. WSU: Member, University Strategic Planning – Advancement Committee (2017-present)
  7. WSU: Member, University Strategic Planning – Phase II Committee (2014-17)
  8. WSU: Chair, Intercollegiate Athletic Association Board of Directors (2004-2010)
  9. WSU, College of Education Faculty Personnel Committee
    • Member (2008-2011)
    • Chair (2012, Spring)
  10. WSU: Member, University Honors Committee (2012-13)
  11. WSU: Member, Distinguished Scholarship Invitational Committee (2013-14)
  12. WSU: Member, Annual Fund Ad Hoc Committee (2011-present)
  13. WSU: Member, College of Education Ad Hoc Image Committee (2009-10)
  14. WSU: Member, College of Education Ad Hoc Committee-Special Events (2007)
  15. WSU: Chair, Search Committee-Assistant Professor, Sport Management (1999, 2003, 2005, 2011 and 2012)
  16. WSU: Member, Search Committee-Assistant Director, WSU West Campus (2012)
  17. WSU: Chair, Search Committee--Instructor, Sport Administration (2002, 2004, 2010)
  18. WSU: Department of Kinesiology and Sport Studies, Travel Committee
    • Chair (2001-2006)
    • Member (1998-2001)
  19. WSU: Sport Management Program: Graduate Coordinator (1998-2010)
  20. WSU: Sport Management Program: Advisory Council, Co-Chair (1998-present)
  21. WSU: Sport Management Program: Advisor to graduate students (1998-present)
  22. WSU: Sport Management Student Association, Faculty Co-advisor (1998-2010)
  23. WSU: Sport Management Alumni Association, Faculty, Co-advisor (2002-present)
  24. WSU: Served as college marshal for December 2006 Commencement
  25. WSU: Department of Athletics—Shock Cancer Walk Committee, Member (2009)
  26. WSU: Department of Athletics—Character Education Event Committee, Member (2005)
  27. WSU: Statistician for select WSU basketball and baseball games televised regionally or nationally (1999-present)
  28. WSU: Serve as mentor to Jeff Noble via COE Faculty Mentorship Program (2012-present)
  29. WSU: Served as mentor to Aaron Clopton, doctoral candidate at U. of Kansas, via KU’s Preparing Future Faculty program (2005)
  30. WSU: Served as mentor to Chiu Yi-Hsin, WSU undergraduate, via WSU’s Career Network Experience (2005)
  31. WSU: Assisted in the planning of Coop student trip to Houston (2005)
  32. WSU: Collaborated on the planning/execution of Coop/SMSA student trip to Dallas and a sport management career fair (2005)
  33. WSU: Coordinated student-conducted sales project to generate for Sport Management Alumni Directory (2003, 2005, 2006 2008, 2009, 2010)
  34. WSU: College of Education, Unit Assessment Committee (2008)
  35. WSU: College of Education, Professional Development Committee: Member (1998-2002)
  36. WSU: Coordinated student-conducted research project regarding consumer perceptions of transition venue for WSU basketball (2002)
  37. WSU: Faculty Senate Honors Committee (2013)
  38. WSU: University Grievance Committee, Member (2000-2002, 2012)
  39. WSU: Department of Kinesiology and Sport Studies, Merit Review Committee: Member (2001 and 2006-2007)
  40. WSU: Sport Management Program – Collaborated on proposal for extension of program approval status by SMPRC (2006)
  41. WSU: Sport Administration Program: Collaborated on proposal for program approval by SMPRC (2000)
  42. WSU: University Assessment Committee: Special presentation at Assessment Symposium on Exit Interviews (2000)
  43. OCU: Journalism and Mass Communication Program, Student Publications Committee (1993-1998)
  44. OCU: Involved as consultant in university planning of new wellness/athletics facility (1997 & 1998)

COMMUNITY

  • Wichita Habitat for Humanity
    Board of Directors (2000-2006, 2009-2014)
    Member, Executive Committee (2012)
    Secretary (2012)
    Public Relations Committee
    • Member (1998-2000 and 2004-2011, 2013)
    • Chair (2000-2004, 2011)
    House United Build Committee (2007-2009)
  • OU Club of Wichita, Board of Directors (2013-present)
    • Member (2013)
    • Membership Director (2014-17)
    • Treasurer (2017-present)

  • NCAA: Served as television timeout coordinator for 2011 Women’s Basketball Championships sub-regional in Wichita (March 20-22)

  • Preferred Health Systems Wichita Open: Coordinated class project resulting in the the creation and utilization of social networking and interactive communication platforms (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Wikipedia) (2009)

  • Wichita SBC Futures Golf Classic: Coordinated student volunteer staff in media relations and research project documenting value of local media coverage (2001-2003)

  • Wichita Genesis Health Clubs: Directed student-conducted research project regarding feasibility of women’s only fitness center (2001)

  • Wichita YMCA, Partner with Youth: Campaign contributions solicitor (1999)

  • Wichita Wranglers: Served as official scorer at two games (1998)

  • Oklahoma City All-Sports Association: Radio broadcast support services for exhibition game between San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks (1997)

  • University of Oklahoma: Football statistics crew (1991-97)

  • Oklahoma All-State Games: Sports Information Director (1996)

  • United States Olympic Festival, Softball Venue: Volunteer: (1989)