Throughout its history, the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management has been a launchpad for leaders and innovators.

Students learn from faculty respected around the world both as researchers and as hands-on industry leaders, but that’s not all. 

Another great thing about being an HRSM student is that on any given day, a famous face may appear in your class. Maybe your professor is ill and the commissioner of the Southeastern Conference subs for him (yes, that really happened). That’s in addition to USC presidents and championship-winning Gamecock coaches.

We’re grateful to the countless thousands of guest speakers who’ve come to campus to share their experience and wisdom through the years. Here, in alphabetical order, are just a few.

• Brandon Beane, Buffalo Bills GM
• S. Truett Cathy, Chick-fil-A founder
• Emily Cole, Savannah Bananas co-owner
• Kristi Coleman, Carolina Panthers president
• Jim Donald, Starbucks CEO
• Roz Durant, ESPN senior vice president of college networks
• Walt Ehmer, Waffle House CEO
• Marc Farha, CAA ICON CEO
• Kevin Harvick, NASCAR driver
• Mike Helton, NASCAR president
• Neville Isdell, Coca-Cola CEO
• Sheila Johnson, BET co-founder, Salamander Hotels and Resorts CEO, first Black female billionaire
• Nick Kelly, Charlotte FC president
• Edwin McCain, musician
• Danny Morrison, in his days as Carolina Panthers president
• Scott O’Neil, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment CEO
• Jessica O’Neill, president of business operations, Houston Dash and Dynamo
• Steve Phelps, NASCAR president
• Jim Phillips, ACC commissioner
• Greg Sankey, SEC commissioner
• Adam Silver, NBA Commissioner
• Nicole Tepper, Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC co-owner
• Sonny Vaccaro, sports marketing executive and Air Jordan brand creator=
• Rick Welts, Dallas Mavericks CEO
• Fred Whitfield, Charlotte Hornets president/CEO

• 

  Neville Isdell

  Coca-Cola CEO

• 

  Sheila Johnson

  BET co-founder, Salamander Hotels and Resorts CEO

• 

  Greg Sankey

  SEC Commissioner