Parks Recreation Sport and Tourism

A student poses for a photo on the Mizzou football field.

Dec. 9, 2024

CAFNR Senior Spotlight – Q&A with Lindsey Batson

Batson is a senior graduating in December with a degree in parks, recreation, sport and tourism.
Three people pose for an award presentation.

Dec. 6, 2024

Jason Young, instructor in the School of Natural Resources, receives the Golden Apple Award

Young, internship supervisor for Parks, Recreation, Sport and Tourism students in the School of Natural Resources, received the award to acknowledge his teaching excellence.
A group of students poses for a photo with their professor.

Nov. 15, 2024

Shuangyu Xu, assistant professor in the School of Natural Resources, receives the Golden Apple Award

Xu, the only professor of tourism in the School of Natural Resources, received the award to acknowledge her teaching excellence.
A student on a football field.

Oct. 28, 2024

Parks, Recreation, Sport and Tourism alumni begin their careers through connections to Mizzou Athletics

Through the Parks, Recreation, Sport and Tourism degree program, CAFNR students can complete their senior capstone with Mizzou Athletics before potentially moving into a full-time staff role.
Career fair.

Sep. 23, 2024

CAFNR students gain varied industry experiences through summer internships

Students throughout CAFNR participated in internships across the nation and many facets of the agricultural industry to prepare for their future careers.
A student poses with Truman the Tiger.

May 1, 2024

CAFNR Senior Spotlight – Q&A with Zane Nichols

Nichols is a senior graduating in May with a degree in parks, recreation, sport and tourism.
Jack Dorson by M.

Dec. 14, 2023

CAFNR Senior Spotlight – Q&A with Jack Dorson

Get to know Park, Recreation, Sport and Tourism senior, Jack Dorson
Justin Sykes, a senior parks, recreation, sport and tourism major, has been interning with the softball team for two years and was recently hired as its first director of player development, a position he will officially begin when he earns his degree in August. Photo courtesy of Justin Sykes.

March 29, 2023

Bleeding Black and Gold

Justin Sykes grew up donning the black and gold at numerous University of Missouri athletic events. Soon, Sykes will be sporting Mizzou colors as an official staff member of the softball team. Sykes has been interning with the softball team for two years and was recently hired as its first director of player development, a position he will officially begin when he earns his degree in August. “It’s very exciting, obviously,” said Sykes, a senior parks, recreation, sport and tourism (PRST) major from Kearney, Mo. “I’ve always loved statistics and analytics, so to be able to dive into those numbers…
Dorian Giles, a 2016 CAFNR graduate, serves in numerous roles across the sports industry. He is the manager of long-time friend Charles Harris, a defensive end with the Detroit Lions, and worked with Moses Moody, a first round draft pick of the Golden State Warriors, during the Warriors’ championship season (2021-22). Giles currently serves as a consultant to two technology companies, too. He is also the basketball director with Humble Over Hype, a nonprofit focused on making changes through the spiritual development of athletes. It’s a lot to juggle but Giles said he enjoys the freedom that comes with each of his roles. Photo courtesy of Dorian Giles.

Feb. 22, 2023

Pursuing His Dreams

Dorian Giles had a tough decision to make early on as a student at the University of Missouri. Giles, an avid basketball player throughout his youth, had dreamed of one day suiting up at the collegiate level. While those dreams were put on the back burner as Giles chose to attend Mizzou, during his sophomore year he was in contact with a university about a playing opportunity. He suddenly had a life-changing choice to consider. Giles graduated in 2016 with a degree in parks, recreation, sport and tourism (emphasis in sport management), as well as a minor in business. He…