Stories for Parents

Natasha Brison, associate professor in the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management's Department of Sport and Entertainment Management

HRSM professor melds law and marketing expertise to prepare students

May 08, 2025, Thom Harman / photo by Kim Truett

Natasha Brison has practiced law and worked in the entertainment industry, starting a business as a marketing consultant for professional athletes. She also conducts research and came to South Carolina despite already earning tenure at another top institution. Now Brison brings her experience to USC's classrooms as an associate professor in the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management's Department of Sport and Entertainment Management. Her diverse background is proving to be a great resource for her students as she prepares them to pursue their dreams after graduation.

Topics: Faculty, Academics, Research, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management

Student in cap and gown stands with fists in the air

Class of 2025

April 28, 2025, Megan Sexton

As the Class of 2025 prepares to walk across the commencement stage, graduates leave the University of South Carolina with memories of enduring friendships, newfound passions, supportive mentors and life-changing experiences.

Topics: Students, Alumni, Recognition, Health Sciences, Student Voices, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, Darla Moore School of Business, College of Education, Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, The Graduate School, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management, College of Information and Communications, school-of-law, School of Music, College of Nursing, College of Pharmacy, Arnold School of Public Health, College of Social Work, South Carolina Honors College

woman stands in a shower of confetti with hands raised to the ceiling

Championship Run: 2024 year in review

December 16, 2024

From a national championship and record research funding to a major engineering gift and a host of academic awards, 2024 was a banner year for USC.

Topics: Students, Faculty, University Leadership, University President, Diversity, Recognition, Economic Engagement, Health Sciences, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education, Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management, Joseph F. Rice School of Law, Medicine (Greenville), School of Music, College of Nursing

Cocky statue

USC again among nation's best in sport science

January 10, 2024, Allen Wallace

The annual Global Ranking of Sport Science Schools and Departments ranks USC No. 1 in the Southeastern Conference and No. 3 in the United States overall. South Carolina has ranked in the Top 5 in every edition of the U.S. sport science rankings, compiled by ShanghaiRanking Consultancy, finishing first six times.

Topics: Students, Academics, Recognition, Health Sciences, Leadership, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management, Arnold School of Public Health

Head and shoulders photo of Danny Morrison

HRSM professor Danny Morrison passes on wisdom gleaned from decades in sports industry

October 16, 2023, Megan Sexton

Danny Morrison, former president of the Carolina Panthers and a sport management professor at USC, draws on his long career in athletics to inspire and educate the next generation of sport professionals

Topics: Students, Alumni, Faculty, Academics, Experiential Learning, Undergraduate Admissions, Graduate Studies, Leadership, Careers, Student Voices, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management

Destroyed homes and buildings in Lahaina on Aug. 10, 2023, in the aftermath of wildfires on western Maui, Hawaii. Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images

Wildfires are a severe blow to Maui's tourism-based economy, but other iconic destinations have come back from similar disasters

August 11, 2023, Rich Harrill

Major wildfires on the Hawaiian island of Maui have killed dozens of people and caused heavy damage, particularly in the historic town of Lahaina, as of Aug. 10, 2023. Research professor Rich Harrill, an expert on hospitality and tourism, explains how such events affect places like Maui in the short and long terms.

Topics: Faculty, Research, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management

Panoramic view of Segra Park baseball stadium.

USC students gain wide exposure to sports industry through summer baseball internships

July 07, 2023, Allen Wallace

Students from the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management are learning all about minor league baseball this summer at teams throughout the Southeast and beyond. Providing these hands-on opportunities is a priority for USC’s Department of Sport and Entertainment Management, which emphasizes real-world experience and career development alongside classroom instruction.

Topics: Students, Alumni, Experiential Learning, Leadership, Careers, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management

The Titan submersible imploded on a dive to visit the wreck of the Titanic in June 2023. Ocean Gate / Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Danger, prestige and authenticity draw thrill-seekers to adventure tourism

June 23, 2023, Scott Smith

The tragic news of the destruction of the Titan submersible has brought attention to the thrilling, dangerous and expensive world of extreme tourism. Researcher and professor Scott Smith who studies hospitality and tourism management, writes for The Conversation about adventure tourism and why more people are drawn to the experience.

Topics: Faculty, Research, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management, The Conversation

A bird’s eye view of a dark beer in a pint glass.

Prohibition-era beer laws persist to the present

December 02, 2022, Téa Smith

Craft beer is big business but that doesn’t necessarily mean business is booming.In fact, for many of the nation’s smaller brewing operations, competing with established large-scale “macrobreweries” is a David and Goliath story — and the laws are stacked in Goliath’s favor. But Scott Taylor Jr.. and his colleagues at the Wine and Beverage Institute at USC School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management are working on the first of three papers exploring the negative impact of Prohibition-era laws on competition within the alcoholic beverage industry.

Topics: Alumni, Faculty, Research, Economic Engagement, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management

Students and alumni working at hotel, people dining in background

UofSC hospitality and tourism management program leads SEC, makes national top 10

July 26, 2022, Allen Wallace

For the fourth consecutive year, the University of South Carolina is among the top 10 in the country in hospitality and tourism management and No. 18 worldwide, according to the ShanghaiRanking’s 2022 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects.

Topics: Students, Alumni, Faculty, Academics, Research, Experiential Learning, Scholarships, Recognition, Leadership, Careers, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management

professor Khalid Ballouli shows some of his professional baseball cards

HRSM professor researches topic outside his field, but inside his heart

June 28, 2022, Page Ivey

Khalid Ballouli knows first-hand what life is like for an aspiring professional ballplayer. It was his personal experience, which included six years as a pitcher in the minor leagues after playing for the Southeastern Conference’s Texas A&M University, that led him to his 10-year research project interviewing young players and their families about their experiences in travel baseball.

Topics: Faculty, Research, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management

Dance Marathon students with Cocky

Dance Marathon raises $931,016

April 12, 2022, Allen Wallace

On April 9, nearly 2,000 University of South Carolina students spent the day dancing together, closing more than a year of work with a huge success as they raised $931,016 to support the Child Life program at Prisma Health Children's Hospital.

Topics: Students, Philanthropy, Service, Leadership, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management, Arnold School of Public Health

Susan O'Malley

UofSC instructor inspires the next generation of leaders in sports

March 23, 2022, Megan Sexton

Susan O'Malley, the first woman to run a professional sports franchise, has brought her knowledge, insight and enthusiasm to the University of South Carolina, focusing on giving students a taste of the fast-paced field of sports and event management.

Topics: Faculty, Academics, Experiential Learning, Diversity, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Careers, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management

archival image of marjorie weber sitting at a desk in education classroom circa 1969

Gamecock family affair

August 23, 2021, Savannah Bennett

Marjorie Weber was a widow in her 40s when she decided to return to college to earn her teaching degree from the University of South Carolina where her late husband had been an education professor. She also served as a starting point for a string of family members attending South Carolina, including a granddaughter and two great-granddaughters, who are current education students. They are among the hundreds of students who follow family members to become Gamecocks each year. 

Topics: Students, Alumni, History, Student Voices, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, Darla Moore School of Business, College of Education, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management, College of Information and Communications, College of Pharmacy

UofSC faculty experts list on the Summer Olympics

June 25, 2021, Tenell Felder

Japan will host the Summer Olympic Games July 23 to Aug. 8. Though the Olympics will be taking place in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they will continue to be officially branded as the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. To help journalists report on the Tokyo games, the University of South Carolina has compiled a list of faculty experts.

Topics: Faculty, Research, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management, Arnold School of Public Health

shawnese cleveland class of 2021

Class of 2021: Shawnese Cleveland

April 20, 2021, Craig Brandhorst

First-generation college student Shawnese Cleveland started her academic career as a political science major, intent on going to law school one day and perhaps working in government. After watching the event staff do their thing during a women’s basketball game at Colonial Life Arena, the Georgia native changed her mind and changed her major. Now, following back-to-back campus internships, the sport and entertainment management major is kicking off her career at a Las Vegas resort.

Topics: Students, Experiential Learning, Careers, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management

David and Nicole Tepper

UofSC announces Nicole and David Tepper Scholarship to support sport and entertainment management education, diversity and COVID-19 relief

July 13, 2020, Allen Wallace

The University of South Carolina has announced the establishment of The Nicole and David Tepper Scholars Program in the university’s acclaimed Department of Sport and Entertainment Management. The program will provide four-year scholarships to a cohort of four incoming freshmen each year. Tepper Scholars will receive $10,000 per year toward their education and will gain access to additional enrichment opportunities.

Topics: Students, Scholarships, Philanthropy, Partnerships, Careers, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management

Models at NYFW

UofSC partnership gives students an inside look at NYFW

March 03, 2020, Allen Wallace

UofSC’s College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management and South Carolina Athletics teamed up with CLC, the university’s exclusive trademark licensing agency, and IMG’s fashion events division to offer three students the opportunity to attend the 2020 New York Fashion week in February for a behind-the-scenes look at the fashion industry.

Topics: Students, Experiential Learning, Partnerships, Careers, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management

women's soccer celebrating with the SEC championship trophy

20 in '19

December 02, 2019, Communications and Public Affairs staff

There was plenty to be proud of at the University of South Carolina in 2019, with accomplishments from the classroom to the research lab to the athletic field.

Topics: Students, Alumni, Faculty, University President, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education, Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management, College of Information and Communications, Medicine (Columbia), South Carolina Honors College, University Libraries

women's soccer celebrating with the SEC championship trophy

20 in '19

December 02, 2019, Communications and Public Affairs staff

There was plenty to be proud of at the University of South Carolina in 2019, with accomplishments from the classroom to the research lab to the athletic field.

Topics: Students, Alumni, Faculty, University President, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education, Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management, College of Information and Communications, Medicine (Columbia), South Carolina Honors College, University Libraries

women's soccer celebrating with the SEC championship trophy

20 in '19

December 02, 2019, Communications and Public Affairs staff

There was plenty to be proud of at the University of South Carolina in 2019, with accomplishments from the classroom to the research lab to the athletic field.

Topics: Students, Alumni, Faculty, University President, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education, Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management, College of Information and Communications, Medicine (Columbia), South Carolina Honors College, University Libraries

women's soccer celebrating with the SEC championship trophy

20 in '19

December 02, 2019, Communications and Public Affairs staff

There was plenty to be proud of at the University of South Carolina in 2019, with accomplishments from the classroom to the research lab to the athletic field.

Topics: Students, Alumni, Faculty, University President, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education, Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management, College of Information and Communications, Medicine (Columbia), South Carolina Honors College, University Libraries

women's soccer celebrating with the SEC championship trophy

20 in '19

December 02, 2019, Communications and Public Affairs staff

There was plenty to be proud of at the University of South Carolina in 2019, with accomplishments from the classroom to the research lab to the athletic field.

Topics: Students, Alumni, Faculty, University President, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education, Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management, College of Information and Communications, Medicine (Columbia), South Carolina Honors College, University Libraries

Sam Piccione

Gamecock grad entertains the world -- one arena at a time

August 30, 2019, Bryony Wardell

Behind the bright lights, beyond the stage, Oak View Group has built a global family of companies that have become known as the leading force in the sport and live entertainment industry. It takes commitment and experience to lead one of those divisions – something University of South Carolina alumnus Sam Piccione III knows firsthand.

Topics: Alumni, Academics, Recognition, Leadership, Careers, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management

Uzbekistan plaza

Retailing professor wins Fulbright for work in Uzbekistan

June 04, 2019, Allen Wallace

The Fulbright program is one of the most famous and prestigious scholarship programs in the world, with 59 alumni who also have Nobel Prizes and 82 Pulitzer Prize winners. Many people in academia try throughout their career and never win a Fulbright Scholarship. Professor Mark Rosenbaum, chair of the University of South Carolina Department of Retailing, now has three.

Topics: Faculty, Academics, Research, Scholarships, Philanthropy, Partnerships, Service, Leadership, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management

Andrew Super

Graduating senior leaves legacy of HOPE for people with disabilities

May 06, 2019, Allen Wallace

Andrew Super will graduate from the University of South Carolina May 11, but earning his diploma might be the second most impressive thing he has accomplished during his college career. In the past two and a half years, he has helped provide numerous free prosthetic devices for children and veterans in need, through a company he co-founded.

Topics: Students, Research, Experiential Learning, Philanthropy, Service, Entrepreneurship, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management

Students working at Colonial Life Arena during a South Carolina basketball game

March Madness in Columbia

March 01, 2019, Allen Wallace

This month, for the first time in almost 50 years, March Madness returns to Columbia, South Carolina, with the city chosen as a host site for the first and second rounds of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament. As fan excitement builds, faculty in the University of South Carolina’s sport and entertainment management department share their expertise on what the event will mean for the city and the campus community.

Topics: Students, Faculty, Research, Experiential Learning, Partnerships, Service, Leadership, Careers, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management

Miracle Kid Ellington Hewitt at Dance Marathon 2018

For the Kids

February 28, 2019, Allen Wallace

A year ago, University of South Carolina Dance Marathon made history, raising more than a million dollars for the kids at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital (then known as Palmetto Health). Just days after that success, they began working to do it again. That yearlong effort concludes Saturday with the student organization’s annual Main Event.

Topics: Students, Experiential Learning, Philanthropy, Service, Leadership, Student Voices, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, Darla Moore School of Business, College of Education, Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management, College of Information and Communications, School of Music, College of Nursing, College of Pharmacy, Arnold School of Public Health, College of Social Work, South Carolina Honors College

Susan O'Malley with female sport and entertainment management students

New internship supports women in sport management

February 01, 2019, Allen Wallace

The University of South Carolina and Monumental Sports & Entertainment are proud to announce a new internship program for female students majoring in sport and entertainment management. The partnership will provide four paid internships per year to advance students’ career experience and develop the industry’s future leaders.

Topics: Students, Faculty, Experiential Learning, Partnerships, Careers, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management

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