Garnet Apple winner: Khalid Ballouli

Khalid Ballouli’s path to academia took a detour through professional baseball, so it’s only natural this his teaching style is a little different.

An associate professor in the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management, Ballouli teaches undergraduate classes in sport and entertainment marketing as well as graduate-level courses in research design and business research and analytics. He also teaches and mentors Honors College students working on their thesis as well as directing the Ph.D. program for the sport and entertainment management department.

His efforts have made him a 2024 recipient of the Garnet Apple award for teaching innovation.

Ballouli spent six years as a pitcher in minor league baseball after playing for the Southeastern Conference’s Texas A&M University. After his playing days, he coached baseball while earning his Ph.D. in sport management from A&M.

So Ballouli has seen sport management from many different angles, and it is that real-world experience that students credit with making Ballouli’s teaching so effective.

“He knows what we need to be prepared for in a work environment and the assignments, projects, exam and discussions are all focused on helping us learn how to apply what we learn to the real world,” one student review said.

In his quest to give students a look inside the world of sports marketing, Ballouli collaborated with industry professionals to create a case-study competition as part of the college’s Sport Entertainment and Venues Tomorrow conference.

“This initiative allows students to apply their knowledge in realistic scenarios, promoting a deeper understanding of the complexities and nuances within the sport and entertainment industry,” he says.

Ballouli also credits the work of Albert Bandura on social learning theory with helping to inform his teaching philosophy, particularly the “emphasis on observational learning, self-efficacy, and the importance of modeling positive behaviors,” he says. “This perspective encourages me to demonstrate intellectual curiosity and a commitment to excellence, qualities I hope to instill in my students.”

Ballouli also encourages the use of artificial intelligence in helping students learn about consumer-behavior research, which informs marketing strategies. Students use AI tools to create marketing plans and simulate research scenarios.

“Students are able to experience first-hand the potential and challenges of leveraging AI in the sport and entertainment industries,” Ballouli says. “This not only prepares them for the technological advancements shaping the sector but also encourages them to think critically about the ethical and strategic applications of AI.”

He also created an informal book club for students looking to extend their learning beyond the classroom. The club allows students the opportunity to engage with current research about their field and create a community of people who will be their colleagues and peers during their careers.

“This initiative offers a platform for students to engage with cutting-edge literature in the field, fostering discussions that challenge conventional thinking and encourage personal and professional growth,” Ballouli says. “One impactful outcome was a group project where students collaborated to propose a sustainable marketing strategy for a local sports team, integrating concepts discussed in the book club.”

In addition to his innovative classroom teaching, Ballouli also mentors graduate students in the department.

“He is the faculty member the doctoral students seek out for career advice, resume tips and industry insight,” says Matthew T. Brown, chair of the Department of Sport and Entertainment Management. “At the graduate level, his use of industry relevant assignments has helped to improve the overall quality and reputation of our department in both the academy and industry.”