Biography
Dr. Tyler Hajek serves as an assistant professor of sport management.
His research focuses on legalized sports betting, sport employees, revenue generation and pedagogy. Hajek also teaches a variety of classes in both the undergraduate and graduate curriculum. Prior to academia, he gained experience and insights working in the sport industry through a variety of roles.
Hajek emphasizes the importance of connecting earned knowledge to practical application. A proud alumnus of South Dakota State University and former Jackrabbits student-athlete, he is grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with students through class, research and career preparation.
His research focuses on legalized sports betting, sport employees, revenue generation and pedagogy. Hajek also teaches a variety of classes in both the undergraduate and graduate curriculum. Prior to academia, he gained experience and insights working in the sport industry through a variety of roles.
Hajek emphasizes the importance of connecting earned knowledge to practical application. A proud alumnus of South Dakota State University and former Jackrabbits student-athlete, he is grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with students through class, research and career preparation.
Education
- B.S. in sport, recreation and park management | South Dakota State University | 2016
- M.A. in sport management | Minnesota State University, Mankato | 2018
- Ph.D. in sport and exercise science: sport administration | University of Northern Colorado | 2025
Research and Scholarly Work
Areas of Research
- Legalized sports betting
- Sport employees
- Revenue generation
- Pedagogy
Awards and Honors
- Crown College Showcase of Excellence in Academics: Faculty Advisor to Student Project Award-Winners (Brueckner R., Fude, K. and Stout, J., 2025; Earick, A., 2023)
- Uncommon Sports Group: Professor of the Year (2024)
- Crown College: Distinguished Faculty for Scholarship (2023)
- Minnesota Timberwolves: Inside Sales Wolf Award (2019)
- Minnesota Vikings: All-Pro Service Distinction (2018)
Grants
- National Collegiate Athletic Association Strategic Initiative: Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (2025)
- National Collegiate Athletic Association Strategic Initiative: Division III Faculty Athletic Representative Orientation (2024)
- University of Northern Colorado Graduate Student Association: Grant Review Committee (2020-2022)
Publications
Referred Publications
- Mondt, A.B., Hajek, T.J. and Smith, N.L. (2026). Fostering creativity: The role of job crafting and flourishing in Division I sport organizations. International Journal of Sport Management, 27(1), 59-85.
- Schuetz, L., Hajek, T.J., Lee, Y.L. and Runyan, B. (2025). Student speed dating as a catalyst for creative idea generation in sport management program. The Commission on Sport Management Accreditation Journal, 2(1), 1-10. DOI: 10.25035/cosma.02.01.02
- Mondt, A., Hajek, T.J. and Otto, M. (2024). Women collegiate sport employees: Organizational elements of workplace and engagement. Journal of Amateur Sport, 10(1), 90-110. DOI: 10.17161/jas.v10i1.21203
- Hajek, T.J. and Sung, Y.T. (2023). Video interviews via question submissions. Sport Management Education Journal, 17(2), 177-182. DOI: 10.1123/smej.2021-0030
- Hajek, T.J., Lee, Y. and Schuetz, L. (2023). Bet on it: Exploring sports betting partnerships in professional sport. Journal of Emerging Sport Studies, 9, 1-26. DOI: 10.26522/jess.v9i.4415
Other Contributions
- Hajek, T.J. (2022). Where is seat 10? In Schwarz, E.C., Brannigan, K.J., Cattani, K.P. and Hunter, J.D., Advanced theory and practice in sport marketing, (4th ed., pp. 173-176). Routledge.
- Schuetz, L., Hajek, T.J. and Romano, A. (2022). Encompassing a university’s spirit: The importance of brand equity in intercollegiate athletics. In Schwarz, E.C., Brannigan, K.J., Cattani, K.P. and Hunter, J.D., Advanced theory and practice in sport marketing, (4th ed., pp. 149-153). Routledge.
Associated Areas
