Gregory Kane, kinesiology and physical education professor at Eastern Connecticut State University, recently released the second edition of his book “Sport Leadership in the 21st Century.” The textbook is co-authored by John F. Borland of Springfield College and Laura J. Burton of the University of Connecticut. Eastern Psychology Professors Peter Bachiochi and Wendi Everton contributed to chapter 10, “Leadership in Groups and Teams.”

Several years ago, the authors set out to create a textbook designed for sport management classes that emphasized leadership styles. In an effort to reflect changes in the field, the second edition of “Sports Leadership in the 21st Century” features more interviews with sports professionals who share their experiences and helpful practices they’ve learned through their careers. Topics discussed range from social media usage, to integration of athletes with disabilities, to governance structures at the Olympics.

“We made a point to get industry-direct information from a wide variety of organizations and sports,” says Kane, who conducted interviews with members of the Boston Celtics, New York Marathon, Twitch and Ski Magazine.

Included in the new edition are updated case studies to spark classroom discussion and bring real-world experience to student learning. These case studies contain critical-thinking questions and a variety of topics, such as effective team leadership in electronic sports (including video game competition) and the continued underrepresentation of women in international sport leadership.

Speaking to the evolution of sport management, Kane concluded, “Leadership styles change as we grow as individuals, reflect our behavior, and adapt to evolving organizational and societal landscapes. Leadership is a set of behaviors that can be learned through understanding theory, practice, mentorships and internships.”