University of Notre Dame Pre-College Programs Beyond the Game: The Business of Sports Marketing

Two senior figures in Notre Dame's athletics department direct the course. Brian Pracht is Associate Athletics Director for Sports Administration and has taught an undergraduate sports marketing course at the Mendoza College of Business since 2016. He previously oversaw ticketing, marketing, fan engagement and premium experiences at Notre Dame. Before that, he ran marketing, promotions and ticket operations at the University of Arkansas and external operations at Wichita State University.

Jim Fraleigh is deputy athletics director, responsible for the department's sponsorship and multimedia rights. He twice led the negotiation of Notre Dame's apparel contract with Under Armour, in 2014 and 2023. He also oversees partnerships with brands including Coca-Cola, Citi and Gatorade, which is the same sponsorship work the course covers.

Notre Dame lists the two as academic directors and says it keeps Summer Scholars classes small. It doesn't give a class size or say how the teaching is split between them.

If you complete all the program requirements, you could earn one transferable college credit from the University of Notre Dame with a Satisfactory (S) grade, and you can order a transcript through the university's registrar. It's an S grade rather than a letter grade. Notre Dame doesn't say which colleges accept the credit, so check with any college you're counting on.

Apart from the credit, you take away the work itself: the marketing strategies you build in group projects and hands-on challenges, plus a closer look at careers in the sports business. Notre Dame doesn't describe a final project or portfolio piece for this course.

You need to be a current high school sophomore or junior, so a rising junior or senior by the summer, and at least 16 by 1 August 2027. Notre Dame makes no exceptions to the age rule and cites its insurance and child protection policies. A younger sophomore can't take part this cycle, however strong the application.

Beyond that, Notre Dame looks for strong academic standing, solid extracurricular activities and students who are self-motivated, mature and keen to be part of the Notre Dame community. It calls the two essays very important, because they're your chance to explain why this particular course interests you. It also says a recommendation helps most when it comes from a teacher who can back your interest in the subject. SAT, ACT or PSAT scores are encouraged but not required, and Notre Dame doesn't publish a class size or acceptance rate.

• International applicants

  If you don't attend an English-speaking high school, you need a TOEFL (5.5+), IELTS (7.5+), PTE (55+) or Duolingo English Test (120+) score.

• Activities

  You can show your extracurriculars in the application's activities section, in an uploaded resume, or in both.

You apply through Notre Dame's online application portal, and your part must be in by 17 February 2027.

1. 1

   Start the online Summer Scholars application, which went live on 19 October 2026.

2. 2

   Add your counselor's details and, after asking them first, a recommending teacher's details, and Notre Dame will email them for your transcript, school report, school profile and recommendation.

3. 3

   Write the two essays and fill in the activities section, upload a resume, or do both.

4. 4

   If you want test scores considered, upload your SAT, ACT or PSAT report by 31 January 2027.

5. 5

   Submit the application and pay the $75 fee by 17 February 2027, and remember your counselor and teacher get one extra week to send their documents.

6. 6

   If you need aid, a parent or guardian files the Financial Aid Request Form by 17 February 2027.

7. 7

   If you're admitted, pay the $300 enrollment fee by 23 April 2027 and the $4,900 balance by 14 May 2027.

The 2027 course costs $5,200, and the application fee adds $75, so a family pays $5,275 before travel. The $5,200 covers tuition, room and board, extracurricular activities and class field trips, and Notre Dame provides books and class materials when you arrive.

You pay in two parts. Once you're admitted, a $300 enrollment fee due by 23 April 2027 holds your place and counts toward the total. The $4,900 balance is due by 14 May 2027.

None of it is refundable, including the application fee.

Travel to campus isn't on the list of what the fee covers, and Notre Dame recommends buying travel insurance. Parents also pay for any medical or mental healthcare a student needs during the program.

Aid is limited and only need-based. Notre Dame offers some partial to full-tuition scholarships and no merit awards. Two grants cover tuition, room and board for students who qualify: the Lilly Endowment grant for Indiana residents and a donor-funded grant for students in the Philadelphia area. A parent or guardian applies through the Financial Aid Request Form by 17 February 2027. Asking for aid doesn't affect the admission decision, and aid decisions arrive with the admission letter.

Students live in Notre Dame residence halls with Resident Counselors. Unless they're on a scheduled, supervised activity, they may leave campus only with a staff member or Resident Counselor. The other main rules come from Notre Dame's standards and policies for pre-college students.

• Residence halls

  Students can't go into a residence hall of the opposite gender. Visitors need written approval from the program's faculty director or associate program director.

• Attendance

  Students must be on time for every class, field trip, meal, check-in and scheduled event unless it's clearly marked optional.

• Medication

  Staff don't store or hand out medication, so students manage their own. Parents must arrange for any known medical or mental health needs at least 30 days before the program starts.

• Conduct

  Alcohol, tobacco, vaping and driving any vehicle are all banned. A student dismissed for breaking the rules gets no refund, and the family pays for the trip home.