Department Overview

“The Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism, formerly Department of Leisure Studies, was one of the first to offer a degree in park and recreation and is currently ranked among the best in the nation.”
- Cary McDonald, Department Head

Leisure services generates more than $350 billion in expenditures by visitors and participants nationwide and is currently one of the top three industries in almost every state.

For more than 50 years, the University of Illinois has been a leader in preparing students for emerging careers generated by this growing industry. We offer programs of study at the undergraduate and graduate levels leading to Bachelor's, Master's and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Graduates from the Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism are well-placed throughout our nation’s park districts, forest preserves, amateur and professional sports industries, resorts, bureaus of tourism, educational institutions, and universities. Research by faculty scholars study the changing leisure needs of our society.

The Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism is dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals, families, and communities through learning, discovery, and engagement. As you explore our website, you will learn more about our students, faculty, instructional programs, research laboratories, and alumni.

The Ultimate Urban Legend

When tourists visit places like Chinatown, what they see is more fantasy than fact. What they see is not a true cultural reflection, but rather a cultural interpretation staged to attract tourists. Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism professor Carla Santos and graduate student Grace Yan conducted interviews with residents who understand that creating tourism commerce is more important than creating authenticity. Grace, born and raised in China, considered herself a stranger to the culture and landscape of Chinatown.

Read the article published in the Annals of Tourism.

Athletic Charitable Foundations, Hype or Help?

Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism assistant professor Scott Tainsky met with Salt Lake City Tribune reporter Ross Siler to discuss charitable work done by athletes. Articles in The Denver Post, Salt Lake Tribune, and on FOX Sports explored the validity and efficiency of player-run charitable foundations. Though many have altruistic motives, some start foundations as an extension of their own branding. As a graduate student at University of Michigan, Tainsky participated in research that measured the effectiveness of athlete-run charitable foundations by comparing mission statements against activities and funding efforts of the foundations. The research paper (PDF) was presented at the 2008 North American Society for Sport Management Conference. View details »

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We're located in room 104 of Huff Hall on the University of Illinois campus.

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