Education

Ed.D., Education (Sport Administration/Regional Economics), University of Northern Colorado
M.S., Accounting, University of Wyoming
B.S., Accounting, University of Wyoming

Background

Thomas H. Regan's work experience includes working as a staff accountant for Fox & Co., CPAs and eight years as a comptroller for a fully integrated oil and gas company. Regan has consulted with many professional organizations concerning financing venues and determining the economic benefit of facilities, events and teams.

Regan served as chair of the department from 1987 to November 2007. The department grew in student body and faculty numbers during this tenure. The International Conference on Sport and Entertainment Business was reinstated during the University of South Carolina Bicentennial Celebration. The student profile for attracting scholars was increased significantly. Faculty who have been recruited to the department enjoy world-class status in their fields.

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In the Media

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2024

• Columbia wants to host NCAA March Madness again. What stands in the way?: The State

2023

• How landing of Western & Southern Open tennis tournament could affect Charlotte well beyond The River District: Charlotte Business Journal
• City government considering $60M to $70M for Beemok's proposed tennis center at River District: Charlotte Business Journal
• March Madness in Columbia: Games expected to deliver boost to city’s economy: WIS

2022

• Future of South Carolina-Clemson game seems certain as college football faces change: The State
• Impact of UofSC hosting NCAA tournament: Carolina News and Reporter (link unavailable)
• Gamecock fans hit the stores after star QB Rattler’s transfer, bowl game boosts excitement: Post and Courier

2021

• College sports programs seek a return to financial glory: Columbia Metropolitan Magazine
• What SEC expansion might mean for South Carolina’s bottom line: The State
• One month away from NASCAR's official throwback weekend: SCNow.com

2020

• Reduced capacity: Strange USC, Clemson football seasons spell more pain for college town businesses: Post & Courier
• How major cornhole event helps comeback hopes of Columbia’s sports tourism: The State
• SC State Fair to become drive-thru event for 2020 for coronavirus safety: Post & Courier
• Football or no football, a look at the financial crunch South Carolina faces this year: The State
• COVID-19 impact: Sports and entertainment: SC.edu
• COVID-19 is wiping out Columbia’s spring event calendar — how bad will it hurt?: Post & Courier/Free Times

Research

Regan's research emphasis focuses on the economic impact of sport and entertainment events on regional economies and the financing and feasibility of live entertainment events. He has completed more than 80 economic impact and related feasibility studies on professional, collegiate, and touring sports. Publications have highlighted his work on the Denver Broncos Football Club, the University of South Carolina athletic department, NASCAR, golf in South Carolina, USTA and WTA professional tennis, and other studies involving live entertainment. He was invited to The Brookings Institute to discuss the impact of professional sport facilities on regional economies.

Awards / Honors

• Harry E. Varney Distinguished Teacher of the Year, Columbia, South Carolina, 2011
• Invited to participate, The Brookings Institution, Washington, D.C., Economics Study Program, "The Economics of Stadiums," October 1996
• Teacher of the Year, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management, 1996
• Multiple nominations for Teacher of the Year and Researcher of the Year in the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management

Teaching

• SPTE 495 – Internship in Sport and Entertainment
• SPTE 444 – Sport and Entertainment Event Management
• SPTE 440 – Sport and Entertainment Business and Finance
• SPTE 635 – Sport and Entertainment Event Development
• SPTE 201 – Introduction to Sport and Entertainment

Books

Regan, T. H. Managing sport and special events. Jossey-Bass (Simon & Schuster).

Book Chapters

Regan, T. H. (1996). Financing facilities. In M. L. Walker & D. K. Stotlar (Eds.), Sports facility management. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.

Regan, T. H. (1995). Financing sport. In B. Parkhouse (Ed.), The management of sport: Its foundation and application (2nd ed.) (pp. 363-373). Mosby.

Research Publications

Bernthal, M., & Regan, T. H. (2004). The economic impact of a NASCAR racetrack on a rural community and region. Sport Marketing Quarterly, 13(1), 26-34.

Bernthal, M., & Regan, T. H. (2001). NASCAR's increasing 'customer gap': Are fans' perceptions keeping up with their expectations? Sport Marketing Quarterly, 10(4).

Regan, T. H. (1997). The geo-economic approach to sport marketing segmentation. Public Administration Quarterly. 

Regan, T. H.  (1996). An interdisciplinary curriculum for the sport and entertainment business. Business Education Forum, 50(3), 24-27.

Regan, T. H. (1995). The economic impact of the Denver Broncos Football club on the Denver metropolitan economy. The International Journal of Public Administration, 18(1), 227-247. https://doi.org/10.1080/01900699508525007

Regan, T. H. (1993, Winter/Spring). Sport event development and economic impact analysis. Business of Sports, KPMG - Peat Marwick's newsletter for professionals serving the sports industry, 4-5.

Regan, T. H. The economic impact of the University of South Carolina athletics on the Columbia metropolitan economy. The National Review of Athletics, Oregon State University. The National Association of Athletics Compliance Coordinators, 2(1), 1-13.

Other Articles and Presentations

• Twelve articles written in non-refereed journals on Sport Business.
• Professional Presentations (15 - 18): Invited to participate in International, National, and regional conferences on Sport Business and Administration.

Grants and Projects

• 2003/04—Two funded grants, St. Pat's Event and Township Marketing Study. Two refereed articles.
• 2002—NASCAR - Darlington Raceway, Impact analysis and projections, Grant J-103, Spring/Fall 2002.
• 2001—Family Circle Cup, Impact analysis and forecasting, Grant J102, Spring 2001.
• 2000—NASCAR Focus groups, Event pricing, amenities and fans, Fall 2000.
• 1999—The Family Circle Cup, Feasibility Study and Analysis, Hilton Head to Charleston, August.
• "Golf creates jobs, revenue", Regan, T. H., U.S. Mayor—Cities and Sports, May 30, 1994. pp. 7. Funded research projects included: University of South Carolina Athletics, Golf industry in South Carolina, Darlington Motor Speedway, Speedway Motor Sports, Carolina / Colonial Cup and Family Circle Magazine Cup.

Professional Affiliations

• International Association of Assembly Managers
• Southern Regional Science Association
• NASSM

Consulting Experiences

• Workshop conducted: Speedway Motor Sports (SMI) Vice Presidents and Chief Financial Officers (CFO's). The workshop was for CFO's of six NASCAR tracks and several motorsports merchandising operations. They were all CPA's and highly seasoned motorsport professionals. Morning session, September 27, 2007. Biltmore Estate, Ashville, N.C.
• National, regional and local commentary via television and radio on economic impact of sporting events on regional economies.
• Many varied consulting projects in sport and entertainment business have been completed