By R.V. Baugus
Dr. Jim Riordan, who established the MBA Sport Management Program at Florida Atlantic University in 2000 and led the program to a No. 19 on the 2021 ranking of the world’s Top 40 postgraduate sport management degrees, has died at the age of 61.
The FAU MBA Sport program has regularly been regarded as one of the top Sport MBA programs in the 
country under Dr. Riordan’s direction. Over the years, he has forged connections, opened doors, and shaped the careers of hundreds of students. In Riordan’s 21 years of service, the program never finished lower than No. 30 in SportBusiness’ world rankings.
Before his time at FAU, Riordan earned his bachelors and MBA degrees from Saint John’s University in New York and completed his doctorate at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pa.
Riordan also served as chair of FAU’s athletic advisory board from 2003-2004, and for two years as NCAA Faculty Athletic Representative for FAU.
The College of Business also announced they will hold a celebration of life in Riordan’s honor later this semester. The family will officially announce the burial arrangements later, while a memorial service will be held later this semester.
