The roots of Sports Management Associates (SMA) began in 1994 with the formation of Keeny Hunter and Associates, Inc. (KHA), an athletic insurance and management consulting firm.  Rich Hunter, a former NCAA and sports insurance executive, established this firm with Jerry Keeny, a long-time associate.

Over the next several years, KHA expanded its insurance business to include over 150 school districts and colleges, and several national sports associations.  KHA’s sports management practice continued to grow, which allowed for the establishment of SMA in 1995, a firm that had the expertise to provide a variety of sports business services – management, insurance, financial and marketing.  Mr. Hunter served as president and Mr. Keeny became a consultant to the company.

During the next four years, SMA developed into a multi-faceted sports insurance and management consulting firm.  In late 1999, further restructuring occurred to allow separate companies to pursue SMA’s primary business segments:  insurance services for the sports, educational and recreational industries, and sports management services.  The management services group retained the SMA name and Mr. Hunter remained as president and chief executive officer.  He served as a senior consultant to the insurance entity through 2002.

Since 2000, SMA has maintained its focus on serving clients in the business of sports and recreation.  Its core business remains full-service management services for groups, events, facilities, programs and leagues.

In 2001, an initiative to provide sports merchandise services began, primarily offering team uniforms and related accessories to current clients.  We then expanded by providing other items needed by teams in all sports as well as serving other organizations, leagues and programs.

The summer of 2008 marked an expansion into the sports performance and training business.  KC Sport Speed (KCSS), a company located in Lenexa, Kansas, that specializes in helping athletes improve their overall speed, agility and strength, was acquired by SMA.  The KCSS acquisition brought additional synergies to our current business segments and positioned SMA to have the ability to deliver a number of sports-related services to our customers - - all under one roof.