Welcome to the Institute for Leadership, Ethics, and Diversity at The University of Tennessee - Knoxville
Welcome from the Director,
Thank you in advance for visiting the I-LEAD website. The world is changing at a pace that requires careful analysis and a laser type focus. The globalization aspects of our society will require a new model of leadership. The Institute for Leadership, Ethics and Diversity is designed to hone, sharpen and prepare individuals for this constantly evolving global market. With an emphasis on excellence in diversity, global cultural competency and ethical leadership development, I-LEAD is THE premier Institute for your company or team.
I hope you find the site useful, helpful and easy to navigate. Best of success to you and your organization!
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.
John Quincy Adams 6th President(USA)
Dr. Fritz G. Polite
Founding Director Bio
Dr. Fritz G. Polite is a clinical professor of Sport Management at The University of Tennessee. He is the director and founder of The Institute for Leadership, Ethics, & Diversity (I-LEAD). He is also the director for community outreach and global engagement in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences. He has over 30 years of experience in sports, management, coaching, teaching, and business including 19 years of international experience.
Polite earned his Ph.D. in Sport Management from Florida State University. He received his Master’s of Public Administration degree from Troy State University (Alabama) and Bachelor’s degree in Management from Simpson College (Iowa). Sports have played a prominent role in Polite’s career, including the following professional experience:
New York Giants (National Football League) – advising, evaluating, and testing (aptitude, psychological, and physical) of college athletes with potential for the annual NFL Draft
Harlem Globetrotters - General Manager
Walt Disney World Sports - Sport Program Manager
National TEAM (Switzerland) - Head Football Coach
He has also worked Super Bowl XXXIX (Jacksonville), Super Bowl XLI (Miami), Super Bowl XLII (Arizona), Super Bowl XLIII (Tampa), Super Bowl XLIV (South Florida), Super Bowl XLV (North Texas), and will participate in Super Bowl XLVI (Indianapolis, IN). He has been a coach, player, and administrator at the professional level.
His primary research focus is in the area of socio-cultural aspects of sport, including: leadership, hiring practices, race, gender, and diversity. His secondary line of research is in the area of brand and vertical extension. He also has presented issues related to sports agents and university and high school student-athletes. He has presented and published internationally in China, Barbados, South Korea, Trinidad/Tobago, Jamaica, Finland, Spain, Canada, France, Germany, and Switzerland. He has been published in respected journal outlets, including: The Marketing and Management Journal, Sport Marketing Quarterly, The Spanish Marketing Journal, Public Administration Review, Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics, The Journal for the Study of Sports and Athletes in Education, The Journal of Ethnic and Racial Studies, and The Harvard University W.E.B. DuBois Institute for African American Research. He has appeared on ESPN Outside the Lines, ESPN National Radio, and USA Today News. He is a member of The North American Society of Sport Management, Sport Marketing Association, Marketing and Management Association, Pi Alpha Alpha (Business Honor Society), Pi Lambda Theta (Education Honor Society), Delta Sigma Pi (Professional Business), Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., and serves on the Black Sports Scholars Roundtable (Wharton School of Business), Executive Board of the College Sports Research Institute, and the Academic Outreach and Engagement Council.
Dr. Polite released a new book with Dr. Billy Hawkins (University of Georgia), Sport, Race, Activism, and Social Justice: The Impact of Dr. Harry Edwards Scholarship and Service (Cognella - University Readers, 2011).
Contact Information for Dr. Fritz G. Polite:
1914 Andy Holt Ave.
342 HPER Building
Knoxville, TN 37996-2700
Phone: (865) 974-6660
Fax: (865) 974-8981
Cell: (865) 209-0669
Email: fpolite@utk.edu
Contact CEHHS
335 Claxton Complex
1122 Volunteer Boulevard
Knoxville, Tennessee 37996
Phone: 865-974-2201
Fax: 865-974-8718