Eric Street, Ed.D, MBA

About Eric

Dr. Eric C. Street is an Assistant Professor in the School of Business at Spalding University, where his teaching, research, and professional interests intersect across management, sports business, organizational behavior, and esports. His academic and professional career reflects an interdisciplinary background spanning higher education, sports management, marketing, business strategy, and strength and conditioning.

Originally from Corbin, Kentucky, Dr. Street developed an early passion for soccer through his participation in local youth leagues, where his father served as one of his coaches. He continued playing throughout high school and earned an athletic scholarship to Union College, an NAIA institution with a diverse international student-athlete population. As a midfielder, primarily occupying the central attacking role commonly referred to as the number 10, he gained valuable experience competing alongside teammates from numerous countries. His collegiate playing experience also included an international training camp in Brazil, which broadened his understanding of the global dimensions of sport. Following two seasons at Union College, he transferred to the University of Kentucky to pursue additional academic opportunities and subsequently earned his bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology, with a minor in Business.

Following graduation, Dr. Street spent approximately 13 years working in advertising and medical device sales while continuing his academic development. During this period, he earned a Master of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Kentucky, specializing in sports leadership. His professional experience in sales, marketing, and business development continues to inform his approach to management education and applied research.

Dr. Street transitioned into higher education after teaching at Midway University and subsequently returning to his alma mater, the University of Kentucky, as an instructor in 2014. These early teaching experiences reinforced his commitment to academia and motivated him to pursue advanced graduate education. He earned a Master of Business Administration from Morehead State University in December 2019 and a Doctor of Education in Sports Management, specializing in sports marketing, from the United States Sports University in September 2022.

Beginning in 2016, Dr. Street expanded his teaching responsibilities at Midway University, contributing to undergraduate and graduate programs through instruction, student advising, curriculum development, and departmental service. He taught extensively across the Sports Management and General Management curricula, as well as within the MBA program’s Sport Management option. He also served as acting department chair during the 2017–2018 academic year. Concurrently, he worked in the fitness industry as Director of Training and Master Trainer at LA Fitness, where he served from 2016 to 2023. This combination of academic and industry experience has shaped his practical, interdisciplinary approach to teaching management, leadership, organizational development, and sport business.

Dr. Street’s professional experience also includes international teaching and consulting. In 2017, he traveled to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to teach sport marketing to executives working within the country’s professional football system. In addition to classroom instruction, he consulted with club marketing professionals on branding and marketing strategies. The experience involved engagement with professionals associated with clubs from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and other parts of the UAE, providing opportunities to examine sport marketing practices within an international and culturally diverse business environment.

At Spalding University, Dr. Street continues to develop his teaching and research within business and sports management. He has presented his work at regional and national academic conferences and has published research in peer-reviewed scholarly outlets. Through his teaching, scholarship, and professional engagement, he seeks to connect academic theory with contemporary business and sport industry practices. His current professional focus includes advancing esports research, examining the strategic and commercial development of competitive gaming, and preparing students to navigate the evolving intersections of business, technology, sport, and entertainment.

Publications

• Street, E., Chen, S., Cromartie, F., Spradley, B. The Perception of Hooliganism and Its Impact among NAIA Collegiate Soccer Players. Findings in Sport, Hospitality, Entertainment, and Event Management (FISHEEM) Journal.
• Chen, Steve; Hall, Adrienne; Gdovka, Anna K.; and Street, Eric (2021). Perceptions on Implementing a Comprehensive Athletic Website and Online Streaming Service for Kentucky High Schools. Atlantic Marketing Journal, 10 (1), Article 5.
• Street, E. & Chen, S. (2018). Teamwork from the Golden-Age Pirates: Could this Strategy Work in Today’s Contemporary Sports Setting? Missouri Journal of Health, Physical education, Recreation and Dance. 28 (1), 5-11.
• Chen, S., Street, E., Woods, A., Chen, C. (2018). A Case of Racial Tasking and Prejudice: Analyses of Race, Playing Position, Rate of Injuries, and Salaries in NFL. KAPHERD Journal, 55 (2), 28-36.