Education

M.S., Sports Administration, Ohio University
B.S., Radio and TV, Butler University

Background

Michael T. Hargrave is an accomplished executive with over 30 years of experience in consumer marketing and sport management. He has a robust background in leading promotional initiatives and driving brand development for Fortune 200 companies, marketing agencies, and professional sport franchises. His expertise spans sponsorship selection, strategic planning, and team building, making him a significant asset in the sport marketing industry. Hargrave began teaching in the Department of Sport and Entertainment Management as an adjunct in 2021 before joining it full-time in fall 2024.

Hargrave taught courses on NASCAR and sport and entertainment sales when he began as an adjunct at the University of South Carolina. His industry experience and passion for the business of sports and entertainment placed him in the top quartile of student evaluations. Additionally, Hargrave founded Discover Sports and Entertainment, LLC, providing consulting services to brands utilizing sports and entertainment marketing, and to properties interested in growing their audience and revenue base.

Hargrave's career includes key roles such as the executive vice president and chief marketing officer at Richard Petty Motorsports, where he led the restructuring of the organization and secured major sponsorships. He also served as the senior vice president of strategic global marketing at Bank of America, where he enhanced the company’s market presence and drove significant improvement in revenue and business metrics through motorsports and Olympic investments.

Hargrave's previous positions include vice president of strategic alliances at ConAgra Foods and director of sponsorships and licensing at ChevronTexaco. His contributions led to significant sales growth and successful marketing campaigns across various brands.  He also held senior roles at Anheuser-Busch, in sports marketing, media, and sales promotions eventually leading A-B’s motorsports group.

A graduate of Ohio University with a Master of Science in sports administration, and Butler University with a Bachelor of Science in radio and TV, Hargrave has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to excellence in sport marketing and administration. His strategic vision and leadership consistently drove substantial growth and innovation in the organizations with which he worked.

Awards / Honors

• Marketing Professional of the Year PRSA Nebraska Chapter for the 2008 US Olympic Team Trials for Swimming Marketing Committee
• Design For Six Sigma Green Belt, Development of ROI model for Bank of America sports and entertainment client entertainment

Teaching

• SPTE 101 – The Student-Athlete Experience
• SPTE 305 – The Business of NASCAR
• SPTE 450 – Sales in Sport and Entertainment Business

Professional Affiliations

• Advisory Committee for Women in Motorsports North America
• Past Board Member – NCAA Men’s College World Series
• Past Board Member – Omaha Sports Commission
• Past Board Member – North Carolina Motorsports Association