{"id":2018683,"date":"2025-09-13T06:58:48","date_gmt":"2025-09-13T06:58:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2018683"},"modified":"2025-09-13T06:58:48","modified_gmt":"2025-09-13T06:58:48","slug":"tourism-sport-and-entertainment-programs-merge-to-form-usf-school-of-hospitality-and-sport-management","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/tourism-sport-and-entertainment-programs-merge-to-form-usf-school-of-hospitality-and-sport-management\/","title":{"rendered":"Tourism, sport and entertainment programs merge to form USF School of Hospitality and Sport Management"},"content":{"rendered":"

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TAMPA — Two closely tied industries \u2014 tourism and sport management \u2014 are joining
\n forces at the University of South Florida\u2019s Muma College of Business.\u00a0
\u00a0
Academic leaders announced the merger of the Vinik Sport & Entertainment Management<\/a> program with the college\u2019s school of hospitality to form the new School of Hospitality and Sport Management<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis strategic integration creates a dynamic academic alliance,\u201d said David Blackwell<\/a>, the Lynn Pippenger Dean at the business college. \u201cIt combines the strengths of both
\n programs to enhance our curriculum, advance research initiatives, and prepare our
\n students for multi-faceted careers in sport, entertainment, hospitality and tourism.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/td>\n

The HospitaBull event.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\n\"brewing<\/td>\n

Vinik students inside the Bucs’ practice facility.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\n\"brewing<\/td>\n

The Brewing Arts Program.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The merged school will launch in fall 2025 with a new name and a new school director<\/a>. Blackwell appointed Lydia Hanks to lead the school. Hanks most recently was the
\n J. Willard Marriott Senior Professor of Hospitality at Florida State University, where
\n she served since 2012.\u00a0
\u00a0
In the works for more than a year, the merger will provide students on all three campuses
\n a more extensive range of career pathways and a global perspective on the interconnectedness
\n of these industries.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cThe new school will create a powerhouse of research and training in sports, hospitality
\n and tourism,\u201d said Brooke Hansen<\/a>, associate director of the School of Hospitality and Sport Management. \u201cSports tourism
\n accounts for one quarter of the world\u2019s tourism industry, and we have a strong corner
\n on that market here in the Tampa Bay region.\u201d\u00a0
\u00a0
Other benefits include:<\/p>\n