Kennesaw State University associate professor B. Nalani Butler has become a notable figure in the university’s sport management program, recognized for her mentorship and professional experience. Since joining KSU in 2019, Butler has contributed to the academic and practical development of students interested in careers in sports.
Javon Tucker, a KSU alumnus who now works as coordinator of game operations and broadcasting for the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream, reflected on his time as Butler’s student. “They say to never meet your heroes, but I would have to disagree,” said Tucker. “Meeting her was a full circle moment for me, having worked with the textbook she wrote. Dr. Butler has been so much more than a mentor and an inspiration for me, she’s become a friend and a peer.”
Butler co-authored the textbook “Social Issues in Sport” with Ronald Woods of the University of Tampa. The book is widely used in sport management programs across the country and is now in its fifth edition.
Her research includes studies on migration among athletes and coaches seeking international opportunities, as well as recent work focused on inclusive sports practices. Butler has involved KSU students with Special Olympics initiatives, giving them experience working with athletes who have intellectual disabilities and teaching them about making sports accessible to all participants.
In her teaching role, Butler offers courses covering event management, facilities operations, international sports, and sociology of sports. She emphasizes practical skills that students can apply professionally: “I want every student in my classes to come away with a bullet point for their resumes,” said Butler. “The events class is one of my favorite classes to teach, and when they do their exit interviews for the major, I’ve been told that class gets the most traction. A lot of students had said this class got them the job they were seeking.”
Tucker credited an events management course led by Butler—and a tour of Mercedes-Benz Stadium—for helping him understand potential career paths within sports facility operations.
Senior Alejandra Tobon also cited Butler’s influence during her participation in a U.S. Soccer Federation case study competition last fall. With guidance from Butler, Tobon joined other KSU students to develop a promotion plan for the NCAA men’s soccer tournament; their team finished third out of approximately 100 entries after presenting at Clark Atlanta University.
“She has so many connections and loves to spread awareness to all these things in sports, like the case study competition,” Tobon said. “If it weren’t for her, I’d still be so shy, but now I know how to network and talk to people. She’s one of the best mentors I’ve ever had.”
Butler recently received recognition from KSU’s Office of Research with an Apex Award as one of Wellstar College’s top three researchers.
“I’m doing a lot of everything, and that’s what I like about being a professor at KSU,” she said. “What’s been the coolest thing at KSU is how organically everything has been thanks to students who have gone on to do cool things, now wanting to come back to help my classes. It’s a real full-circle moment.”
