2023 News Archive

Exploring Italy: Food, Wine & Culture

The College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management invites you to join our celebrity hosts, President Emeritus Harris Pastides and First-Lady Emerita Patricia Moore-Pastides, for an adventure in Italy exploring food, wine and culture!

Congratulations, HRSM Class of 2023 May Graduates

The University of South Carolina's College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management congratulates all members of the May 2023 graduation class!

May 2023 HRSM student, faculty, staff and alumni notes

Armen Shaomian earned a 2023 Distinguished Research Service Award from the USC Office of the Vice President for Research, Elli Peltonen was promoted to director of ticket services with the Baltimore Ravens, and Liliann Pineda received the Continuing Excellence Award from USC's Division of Student Affairs and Academic Support!

Meet the Class of 2023: Alex Gallegos-Tinajero

Alex Gallegos-Tinajero of Spartanburg, S.C., is earning his degree in Sport and Entertainment Management. He plans to join the Peace Corps and serve as an educator in South America.

2023 College of HRSM faculty and staff awards

The University of South Carolina College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management is proud to announce the winners of its 2023 Faculty and Staff Awards. The winners were recognized at an awards ceremony on April 25 in front of their peers and colleagues.

Career Success for Class of 2023 Graduating Seniors

The University of South Carolina College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management is proud to celebrate the class of 2023, including this year's academic and leadership award winners.

April 2023 HRSM student, faculty, staff and alumni notes

Marissa Bayer was promoted to director of marketing and fan experience with University of Cincinnati athletics, Riki Benninger started a new position as sales manager at the Hilton Garden Inn Denver Union Station, and Lauren McGraw accepted a position with Marriott International as a food and beverage voyager in Charlotte after graduation in May. It was another month of great news for the HRSM family!

2023 CSRI college sport research conference showcases studies on athlete advocacy

Advocacy for the rights of college athletes took center stage as a prominent research theme at the 2023 CSRI Conference on College Sport in Columbia, South Carolina, during March 22-24. Faculty, scholars and students from across the country shared innovative research and lively discussion on the biggest issues in collegiate athletics today.

Dash to the top: career spotlight with Jessica O'Neill

In just 10 years, Jessica O'Neill went from the classroom to the head of the table in the boardroom. The 2012 University of South Carolina graduate (B.S., sport and entertainment management) is now president of the Houston Dash of the National Women's Soccer League and chief operating officer of the Houston Dynamo of Major League Soccer.

Michael Sagas selected as new HRSM dean

Michael Sagas will take the helm at the university’s College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management on June 15. Sagas comes to South Carolina from the University of Florida, where he serves as a professor of sport management and director of the Institute for Coaching Excellence in the Department of Sport Management.

College of HRSM Student Spotlight: Jordyn Lewis

Jordyn Lewis is a third-year retailing student with a concentration in fashion merchandising and digital innovations. She won the Miss Gamecock pageant and will represent USC in the Miss South Carolina pageant this summer.

March 2023 HRSM student, faculty, staff and alumni notes

Ph.D. student Rodrigo Feller was invited to be a panelist in the International Student-Athletes session at the NCAA Inclusion Forum, Katlyn Motz accepted a new position as an assistant fashion buyer at It's Fashion, and Aaron Henderson is now an agent with Klutch Sports Group LLC. These are just a few of the highlights in this month's edition of HRSM news and notes!

College of HRSM Student Spotlight: Kaeli Crews

Kaeli Crews, a senior sport and entertainment management major, is set to graduate in May. She's a team captain for the Gamecock beach volleyball team and will pursue her master's degree at Florida State University upon graduation.

Renowned entrepreneur Sheila Johnson returns for second semester as executive-in-residence

As a partner and vice chairman of Monumental Sports and Entertainment, Sheila Johnson is the only African American woman with ownership in three professional sports teams: the WNBA’s Washington Mystics (for which she serves as the team’s president and managing partner), the NBA’s Washington Wizards and the NHL’s Washington Capitals.

Fueling SC’s top industry

Tourism is the main driver of South Carolina’s economy, accounting for about 10 percent of jobs in the state and an estimated annual impact of $29 billion. The University of South Carolina helps keep this economic engine humming by preparing graduates of the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management to take on key roles in a variety of businesses and by helping those businesses adapt and grow.

Fall 2022 HRSM Honors List

Congratulations to all of the HRSM students who made the fall 2022 Dean's and President's Lists.

February 2023 HRSM student, faculty, staff and alumni notes

Madison Butler accepted a guest experience internship with the Miami Dolphins for the summer of 2023, Shalonda Goins was promoted to region manager with Waffle House, and John Thomas was named to Morgan Stanley's prestigious Pacesetter's Club. These are just a few of the highlights in this month's edition of HRSM news and notes!

College of HRSM Student Spotlight: Sharif Crosland

Finding your niche is a crucial part of growing up, and sometimes it takes you in unexpected directions. Sharif Crosland came to South Carolina planning to pursue a career in music education, but he found a better fit for his passion for service, specifically in the food and beverage side of hospitality management.

HRSM in NYC: Retailing students, faculty and staff attend national conference

An education at the University of South Carolina College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management is never limited to just classrooms and campus. The latest opportunity for real-world experience came in January, as a group of Department of Retailing students visited New York City.

January 2023 HRSM student, faculty, staff and alumni notes

Assistant Professor Tarlan Chahardovali and a colleague from the University of Florida published research in the Sociology of Sport Journal, alumnus Eric Bischofberger is now director of operations at Latitude Margaritaville Hilton Head, and student Olivia Ballweg accepted an operations internship with Sporting Kansas City. These are just a few of the highlights in this month's edition of HRSM news and notes!