COLUMBIA, S.C. — Following approval by the University of South Carolina Board of Trustees earlier today, USC proudly announced the naming of its renowned Department of Sport and Entertainment Management as the David and Nicole Tepper Department of Sport and Entertainment Management, recognizing a transformative gift of $5 million from The David and Nicole Tepper Foundation (DNTF).
The naming builds on a proven partnership with The David and Nicole Tepper Foundation's Tepper Scholars Program. The gift will create an endowment to sustain the scholarship program in perpetuity, providing four-year support to high-achieving students each year, combining tuition assistance with mentorship, professional development and hands-on industry experience. Additional funding from the gift establishes the Tepper Professors of Practice, supporting faculty focused on leadership and the business of professional sport — bringing elite practitioner-educators into USC classrooms.
"We are honored to partner with the University of South Carolina in advancing opportunities for the next generation of leaders in sports and entertainment," said David and Nicole Tepper. "By investing in students through scholarships, mentorship, and access to industry expertise, we can help create lasting impact. It's inspiring to see how the Tepper Scholars have already begun shaping the future of this field, and we are proud to build on this partnership with the University to continue opening doors for talented students for years to come."
The department's national profile is distinctive: it is the largest sport and entertainment management program in the United States and now the only named sport and entertainment management department in the country. The program ranks among the top 10 in the U.S. for sport management (Niche), and USC's Master of Sport and Entertainment Management is ranked top-10 worldwide (SportsBusiness Postgraduate Course Rankings) — recognitions that reflect the program's academic quality, industry integration and graduate outcomes.
"This visionary gift strengthens the entire College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management," said Michael Sagas, dean of the college. "By opening doors for Tepper Scholars and bringing distinguished professors of practice to campus, it accelerates access, elevates teaching and positions USC to lead the business of sport and entertainment for years to come."
The commitment of $5 million builds on the Teppers' longstanding support of the University of South Carolina. This new gift is in addition to more than $1.5 million in scholarship support The David and Nicole Tepper Foundation has provided to USC since 2020.
At the university level, it marks a historic milestone with the David and Nicole Tepper Department of Sport and Entertainment Management being the first academic department at USC to be named at this level of philanthropic investment. The program is also a sustained campus leader in student demand, consistently among USC's top five majors and No. 2 university-wide in the 2024-25 academic year — underscoring its impact on enrollment, experiential learning and career outcomes across the university.
"We are deeply grateful for the Teppers' transformational gift supporting student scholarships," said Matt Brown, department chair. "Their generosity continues to open doors of opportunity, easing financial burdens and empowering talented students to pursue their dreams with confidence. Because of their commitment, countless students will be able to focus on their studies, discover their potential and carry forward the impact of the gift for years to come."
Since its launch in 2020, the Tepper Scholars Program has supported multiple cohorts of students who have interned or worked with organizations such as ESPN, the Carolina Panthers, Charlotte FC and the NCAA, and who contribute hundreds of hours of community service during their studies. Alumni and current scholars are advancing across the sport and entertainment landscape in roles spanning operations, sales, events, analytics and finance.
"The Tepper Scholars Program gave me the opportunity of a lifetime by allowing me to gain experience in professional sports and build relationships within Tepper Sports & Entertainment, an incredible organization," said Ambar Ferra, Tepper Scholar alumna. "I want to thank the David and Nicole Tepper Foundation for giving a young girl from Puerto Rico the opportunity to shine under the brightest lights of the sports industry."
About the University of South Carolina College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management:
The University of South Carolina's College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management (HRSM) advances the hospitality, tourism, retail, sport and entertainment industries by cultivating dynamic business leaders through transformative learning, innovative research and unmatched student and industry engagement. Guided by the values of agility, collaboration, community and inclusion — and driven by a vision where distinctive experiences and strategic outreach converge to create extraordinary student success and industry impact — HRSM offers five undergraduate and five graduate degrees across four primary fields of study: hospitality and tourism management, retailing, sport and entertainment management, and interdisciplinary studies in services management. Home to more than 2,900 students, over 150 award-winning faculty and staff, and more than 25,000 alumni worldwide, HRSM is a passionate, diverse community of lifelong learners, scholars, leaders and entrepreneurs.
About the David and Nicole Tepper Department of Sport and Entertainment Management:
The David and Nicole Tepper Department of Sport and Entertainment Management provides top-ranked degree programs and innovative research across sport, entertainment, and venue management. It is the first and largest program of its kind in the nation. Offering undergraduate, master's and doctoral degrees, the department unites theory and practice at the highest level with an award-winning roster of faculty — educators and executives who have served as presidents of NFL, NHL and NBA teams, sold out arenas and managed headliner tours. Their industry expertise brings exceptional value into the classroom and is matched by the department's impactful research. Students benefit from experiential learning, industry-embedded teaching and a powerful employer network spanning professional teams, leagues, venues, agencies and media.
About The David and Nicole Tepper Foundation:
Established in 2020, The David and Nicole Tepper Foundation invests capital and expertise to address the most pressing issues of our time through innovative, effective, and nimble solutions with a special focus on community-based projects. While the organization supports a number of initiatives, its core focus areas are food insecurity, basic needs, education, and disaster relief. As its founders and namesakes, David and Nicole Tepper remain fervently committed to addressing societal ails and inequities, both on a national and local scale.
