TAMPA -- Two closely tied industries 鈥� tourism and sport management 鈥� are joining
forces at the University of South Florida鈥檚 Muma College of Business.
Academic leaders announced the merger of the Vinik Sport & Entertainment Management program with the college鈥檚 school of hospitality to form the new School of Hospitality and Sport Management.
鈥淭his strategic integration creates a dynamic academic alliance,鈥� said David Blackwell, the Lynn Pippenger Dean at the business college. 鈥淚t combines the strengths of both programs to enhance our curriculum, advance research initiatives, and prepare our students for multi-faceted careers in sport, entertainment, hospitality and tourism.鈥�
The annual HospitaBull event.
Vinik students inside the Bucs' practice facility.
The Brewing Arts Program.
The merged school will launch in fall 2025 with a new name and a new school director. Blackwell appointed Lydia Hanks to lead the school. Hanks most recently was the
J. Willard Marriott Senior Professor of Hospitality at Florida State University, where
she served since 2012.
In the works for more than a year, the merger will provide students on all three campuses
a more extensive range of career pathways and a global perspective on the interconnectedness
of these industries.
鈥淭he new school will create a powerhouse of research and training in sports, hospitality
and tourism,鈥� said Brooke Hansen, associate director of the School of Hospitality and Sport Management. 鈥淪ports tourism
accounts for one quarter of the world鈥檚 tourism industry, and we have a strong corner
on that market here in the Tampa Bay region.鈥�
Other benefits include:
- Greater flexibility for students to tailor their academic paths and specialize in their areas of interest
- Opportunities for interdisciplinary studies and research addressing complex challenges within the sectors
- Joint conferences and events
- More connections with industry partners and opportunities for internships and collaborative projects.
The new school will also house 木瓜视频鈥檚 , an online certificate program that is based on the St. Petersburg campus and taught
by a hospitality professor.