Galen Trail started as a full-time academic in 1997. He joined Seattle University in 2008 as an Associate Professor in the College of Arts and Sciences. Previously, he was on the faculty at Ohio State University, the University of Florida, and Iowa State University.
In 2018, he migrated from the College of Arts and Sciences to the Albers School with the transition of the Master of Sport Business Leadership (MSBL) program to Albers.
Trail has been a prolific researcher and vows to continue his scholarly work in retirement. He has published more than 80 books, book chapters, and journal articles in outlets such as the Journal of Sport Management, Sport Management Review, International Journal of Sports Marketing and Sponsorship, and International Journal of Sport Management.
Trail's research is widely cited (he has more than 7,000 citations) and his most recent work looks at the links between sustainability and sport marketing.
He has also consulted with many professional sport teams, university athletic departments, and non-profits. Currently, he serves on four editorial boards and between that and his research and his consulting, he is clearly impacting the discipline and professional practice.
Trail came to SU to direct the Master of Sport Business Leadership program and did so until 2017. He has also served on the Institutional Review Board since 2008 and on the Board of Trustees Athletic Oversight Committee from 2014 to 2017 and the Athletic Advisory Board from 2013 to 2017.
Galen appears to have stalked me through his career: He went to Florida shortly after I did a sabbatical there, then backtracked to Ohio State. Then, he came to Seattle and SU. Finally, he moved into Albers, even my department. Having achieved his goal, he's retiring. I expect him to move into my neighborhood soon.
Carl Obermiller Chair, Marketing DepartmentGalen has been a tireless worker and prolific researcher. He has also shown a strong dedication to his students and been fully committed to the success of our Master of Sport Business Leadership program.
Joe Phillips Dean, Albers