Office Space: Molly Hayes Sauder, Associate Professor and Chair of the Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management Department
The way a person decorates can say a lot about them. In the Office Space series, we go beyond the résumé and get to know York College faculty and staff members through the objects they like to keep close.
Dr. Molly Hayes Sauder has been a Sport Management faculty member since 2009 and is currently the Chair of the Department of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management. She has taught many courses in the curriculum, including Sport Behavior, Communication in Sport, Sport Administration and Management Practices, Financing Sport Operations, Senior Seminar, Sport Industry Practicum, and Work Experience in the Sport Industry. She has also taught in the Gen Next program, including a short-term study abroad course, and instructs within the Strategic Leadership and Management graduate program.
Her research interests are varied, as she has published and presented on topics ranging from experiential learning to gender issues in sport to fan behavior. She was the recipient of the 2018 Sport Management Education Journal’s “Best Paper Award” and has spoken at professional events in the sport industry. Dr. Sauder is also active in the community and frequently involves her students in her research and service efforts.
1. York College of Pennsylvania English Premier Jerseys
Dr. Sauder has traveled to London and Paris several times with her students as part of her International Sport and Entertainment class.
“We are generally given a customized jersey from some of the places we visit. These make me remember great times abroad with students and my general passion for travel!” she says.
2. Steelers Terrible Towel and Phillies Red October Towel
Dr. Sauder has become, in her own words, an “unusual Pennsylvania sports fan.” She supports the Steelers due to her roots in Western Pennsylvania, but she has also come to support the Phillies over time. Her Steelers and Phillies fan towels remind her of the memories and experiences she’s had at sports events.
“I was able to be at the game when the Phillies clinched the NLCS (National League Championship Series) in 2022!” she adds.
3. NCAA Hall of Champions Pennant
A few years ago, along with Associate Professor of Sport Management Dr. Mike Mudrick, Dr. Sauder took students to a case study competition at a conference in Indianapolis. They were able to visit the NCAA Hall of Champions during their free time, which resonated with Dr. Sauder.
“It was such a great experience for everyone,” she says. “I was a college volleyball player (but am not in the Hall of Champions, to be clear) so I really enjoyed that part of the trip. This pennant reminds me of that awesome experience and the many other good times with colleagues and students.”
4. Family Picture
Dr. Sauder has three daughters, ages 13, 11, and 8. She keeps this photo of them when they were young in her office to remind her to “live in the moment, while laying a foundation for the future.”
“They are remarkable young women,” she says. “It also reminds me of how fantastic my husband is since he somehow managed to get these pictures taken!”
5. Sailboat
Dr. Sauder comes from a family business legacy. Her grandfather and father were the second and third generations (respectively) to run the business. She keeps this sailboat on her desk, as her grandfather did, because it reminds her of visiting them at work.
“I always loved when I got to visit my father and grandfather at work. This reminds me of my family legacy of hard work and striving to always do your best for everyone in your workplace and community,” she adds.
