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USF\u2019s Vinik Sport & Entertainment Management Program reached its highest milestone yet \u2014 ranking No. 2 in the world and No. 1 in Florida this September in the <\/span>2025 SportBusiness Postgraduate Rankings<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n SportBusiness measures sports programs across the globe using surveys of \u201ccourse leaders\u201d and alumni from each program to compare curriculum and partnerships, according to its website.<\/span><\/p>\n Michelle Harrolle, the program\u2019s director, said it has steadily gained recognition over the years, moving from No. 4 in the world last year to No. 2 this year.<\/span><\/p>\n Harrolle said the <\/span>program<\/span><\/a> was founded in 2012 and only <\/span>admits<\/span><\/a> about 30 students annually, focusing exclusively on graduate-level education.<\/span><\/p>\n Located <\/span>in the School of Hospitality and Sport Management <\/span>within the Muma College of Business, the program prepares students for leadership roles in the sports and entertainment industry, Harrolle said.<\/span><\/p>\n Students in the program earn both a Master of Science in Sport and Entertainment Management and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Sport Business.<\/span><\/p>\n Faculty and students said the program being ranked No. 2 in the world and No. 1 in Florida reflects a model built on professional access, mentorship and long-term career development.<\/span><\/p>\n Related: <\/b>USF graduate programs gain national attention in latest U.S. News ranking<\/b><\/a>\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n The program is named after <\/span>Jeff and Penny Vinik<\/span><\/a> \u2014 the former owners of the Tampa Bay Lightning \u2014 whose financial support helped establish the program and its early connections to local sports organizations, according to USF.<\/span><\/p>\n As part of the program\u2019s curriculum, students work directly with <\/span>professional partners<\/span><\/a>, such as the Tampa Bay Lightning, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Benchmark International Arena.<\/span><\/p>\n Students gain hands-on experience working with those partners on projects ranging from marketing and analytics to event operations and fan engagement. They also take courses focused on leadership, analytics and real-world application.<\/span><\/p>\n Michael Mondello, the program\u2019s assistant director, said the program\u2019s partnerships are a \u201cmajor advantage.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cHaving all the different partners that we have within an hour of campus is really enticing,\u201d he said. \u201cOur faculty all align on student success, and our alumni buy in. They are hired from the program and come back as guest speakers. They keep the circle going.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Harrolle said the program stands out in its \u201cemphasis\u201d on human connection.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe talk a lot about relationships \u2014 with our students, with our alumni, with other peer institutions, with our partners,\u201d she said. \u201cThat\u2019s probably one of the biggest reasons why we are so successful.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n This philosophy is backed by a structured mentorship system.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In their first year, each student is paired with an alumni mentor, a peer mentor and a faculty advisor.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Students can also participate in domestic and international networking trips, where they meet industry executives and explore global sports business models.<\/span><\/p>\n Related: <\/b>USF\u2019s School of Hospitality and Sport Management prepares students for a merging industry<\/b><\/a>\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n For second-year Vinik program student Katie Beard, the new ranking serves as motivation.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s an honor, but you want to live up to that standard yourself,\u201d Beard said. \u201cI want to keep these ratings high. I want to get a job immediately after graduation. It reminds me of my goals.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Beard said the program doesn\u2019t offer \u201ctraditional\u201d classes. Instead, it creates a \u201cclose-knit group\u201d of students through projects.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re always working together,\u201d she said. \u201cWe collaborate not just with classmates, but with faculty and the entire Tampa Bay community.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Beard said the program is \u201chands-on\u201d and has helped her grow both personally and professionally during her time with the program.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n She said she worked on projects with local sports teams and organizations, such as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the USF Football Team, and has gained experience in areas like event operations, marketing and analytics.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n