Cohort 7 Feature Story

Ethan Budden

Sumter, South Carolina

Ethan Budden is a Sumter High School honors graduate, who served on student government, Key Club and the National Honor Society. His experiences include working at the Masters Tournament, serving as a poll manager and volunteering with the YMCA, where he developed leadership, communication and networking skills. As a Palmetto Pride Youth Ambassador, he promotes environmental stewardship across South Carolina.  He is excited to be a Tepper Scholar and looks forward to growing his knowledge of the sports industry.

Chase DeCurtis

Matthews, North Carolina

Chase DeCurtis discovered his passion for sport management through leadership, service and athletics. A graduate of Butler High School, he balanced dual enrollment coursework at Central Piedmont Community College while serving as a varsity baseball captain, SAAC captain, Unified captain and Senior Board member. He volunteered with Special Olympics North Carolina and gained industry experience through roles with 20/20 Umpires, Camp Bow Wow, DraftKings and FanDuel. DeCurtis also organized a community baseball fundraiser benefiting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in honor of his mother. As a Tepper Scholar, he plans to build a career in the business of sports.

 

Sarah Kuntz

Baltimore, Maryland

Sarah Kuntz is a graduate of Eastern Technical High School, where she was active in the National Honor Society, English Honor Society and Social Studies Honor Society. She served as vice president of One Love, media director for her school's sports club and competed in varsity volleyball and track. Beyond the classroom, Kuntz worked as a lifeguard, server, hostess and gymnastics coach while coaching her school's boys' club volleyball team. She aspires to become a sports agent specializing in sports law and management.

 

Sarah Spychalski

Coppell, Texas

Sarah Spychalski graduated from Coppell High School with honors and balanced leadership roles in Pratham and Create for Kids, where she served as secretary and vice president. Sarah also interned as a social media manager for two Coppell ISD school board members, gaining experience in communication, teamwork and time management. Active in National Honor Society, Student Council, dance and drill team, she hopes to build a career in the NFL and eventually launch a nonprofit supporting future sports professionals.

 

Destiny Adams

Rock Hill, South Carolina

Destiny Adams earned Dean’s List and President’s Honor Roll both semesters. Destiny has been an asset to the HRSM recruitment team through her work as a Student Leader. She is an active member of the Women in Sport and Entertainment Club. Destiny was selected as a student hospitality ambassador for the Gamecock Club and is excited to begin this fall.

Anthony Blachman

Staten Island, New York

Anthony Blachman excelled in the classroom and in immersing himself in campus opportunities. Anthony supported the football team in the equipment room, was a starter in several USC club level rugby games and was selected by department leadership to assist with special recruits. Anthony continues to develop his athletic operations skills and SEC experience in his new full-time equipment intern roll with Gamecock Football. This summer he is working the World Cup games in New Jersey.

Michael Davis

Calhoun, Georgia

Michael Davis is a natural connector and avid supporter of student life engagements. Michael participated in the SEVT conference, as a HRSM Leader, Resident Hall Association member and orientation planning team. This summer Michael is employed as a new student orientation leader with USC.

Cori Johnson

Woodbridge, Virginia

Cori Johnson was involved with Gamecock Club Swimming and volunteered with Cal Ripken Foundation, Special Olympics, and NASCAR. Her most memorable freshman year experiences were working the Carolina Panthers 2026 NFL wild card Game, Masters Tournament, PGA Championship and World Cup. Cori is looking forward to working the PGA Presidents Cup in September and welcoming the newest cohort of Tepper Scholars.

Charitable Impact

Cohort 6 contributed 258 hours to the community through: Cal Ripken Foundation, HRSM Alumni Society, North Carolina Blue Cross Blue Shield, Resident Hall Association, Sigma Psi Mu, Special Olympics, WISE Club, Women in Sport and Entertainment Club

Cohort 5 Feature Story

Catherine Cory

Clemson, South Carolina

Catherine Cory continues to be active with the Women in Sport and Entertainment Management Club, Club and USC Rowing. Working the 2026 Masters Tournament in concessions division was a memorable opportunity. Her sophomore year was also enriched by HRSM course, Lessons in Leadership, with Dawn Staley. The course taught Catherine about workplace professionalism and dynamics, particularly in athletics. Catherine looks forward to being able to apply the skills and experience of interning with Tepper Sports and Entertainment to her future coursework.

Henry Della Penna

Bedford, New York

Henry Della Penna enjoyed attending the SEVT Conference and the knowledge gained in his excel course this year. He is active in Sigma Phi Epsilon and supports a youth mental health organization through sporting equipment drives. Henry is energized by opportunities to drive fan engagement and utilize data to optimize organizational performance.

Lizzie Powell

Charlotte, North Carolina

Lizzie Powell broadened her experiential education by volunteering with the Columbia Greek Festival, Special Olympics, and a Charlotte Motor Speedway race weekend. This year she joined Sigma Psi Mu. Lizzie enjoyed the David and Nicole Tepper Foundation’s community engagements with Samaritan’s Feet, working the Players Championship and returning to work the Masters Tournament for a second year. Lizzie serves as Gamecock Hospitality Ambassador during the football season.

Sydney Smith

Lexington, South Carolina

Sydney Smith is an active leader on campus involved with MAPP Mentoring Program, Mentorship and Outreach Student Team, HRSM Leaders, Alpha Lambda Delta, Women in Sport and Entertainment, Association of African American students, Delta Sigma Theta and Office of Student Affairs student assistant. She recently passed her certification to become a University Ambassador and is the new President of HRSM REPRESENT.

Charitable Impact

Cohort 5 contributed 143 hours to the community through: Alpha Lambda Delta, Columbia Greek Festival, Grace, Peace and Sisterhood, MAPP, Samaritan's Feet International- David Cox Elementary School, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Sigma Psi Mu, Special Olympics, University Ambassadors, Women in Sport and Entertainment Club

Cohort 4 Feature Story

Morgan Guynn

Mount Airy, Maryland

Morgan Guynn worked as a student Advertising and Marketing Sales Representative for USC’s Garnet Media Group, furthering her multimedia content knowledge, business outreach strategies, and analytical skills utilizing multiple software platforms. On campus, she introduced speakers for the Regan Lecture Series and appreciated the powerful reminder that trust and follow-through are everything in building meaningful relationships. Morgan's internships with Tepper Sports and Entertainment and the Baltimore Ravens deepened her passion to work in the sports industry.

Forrest Merrill

Wilmington, North Carolina

Forrest Merrill worked the 2026 Masters Tournament in the merchandising division and recently had the opportunity to meet with executives at venues such as Roland Garros, Accor Arena, and Adidas Arena to establish connections in Paris, France for future student innovation studies. A highlight of his junior year was supporting the TSE Corporate Partnerships team as a volunteer for the Panthers vs Rams game alongside fellow Tepper Scholars.

Kios Perrin II

West Columbia, South Carolina

Kios Perrin II cites working the Carolina Panthers 2026 NFL Wildcard home game against the Los Angeles Rams under the leadership of the Partnership Marketing team, an opportunity of a lifetime. Off campus, Kios mentors youth athletes and fuels his passion for athletic administration as the Assistant Head Coach of Gilbert High School Varsity Basketball team. He is an active part of the HRSM Welcome Center summer staff, engaging prospective and admitted students and will be interning with Gamecock Athletics Development this Fall.

Brianna Watts

Cary, North Carolina

Brianna Watts completed the Atlanta Hawks Virtual Sales Academy. Being selected for the academy’s Spring 2026 Cohort, she gained insight into the business operations of an NBA front office and further strengthened my knowledge of the business side of sports. Brianna is worked in New York City as a Season Ticket, New Business & Group Sales Student Associate with Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. Being a Tepper Scholar has allowed her to gain experience with the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLS, and SEC. She is continuing her studies at USC as a Master of Sport & Entertainment Management student.

Charitable Impact

Cohort 4 supported the following organizations this year with 234 service hours: AAU Basketball League, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., FCA @USC (Future Coaches Association), HRSM Represent, Multicultural Outreach Student Team, Omicron Delta Kappa, Samaritan's Feet International - Brookdale Elementary School, Service Carolina

Cohort 3 Feature Story

Todd Hardy (Spring 2026 Grad)

Spartanburg, South Carolina

Todd Hardy Jr. has completed internships with the South Carolina Football Hall of Fame and Carolina Panthers, reinforcing his goal to become a legal officer for a sports organization. His internship with South Carolina Gamecock football recruiting was a highlight of his senior year. Todd will be continuing his education this fall at the University of South Carolina Joseph F. Rice School of Law.

Sydney Rhue (Spring 2026 Grad)

Irmo, South Carolina

Sydney Rhue’s experience working at the SEVT Conference, time with the Panthers Ticket Office and being a Gamecock Athletics marketing intern solidified her interest in finance and ticket services. Sydney was able to accompany the Equestrian team to Ocala, Florida for nationals and travel with the Beach Volleyball Team for Big 12 Championships. During her senior year, Sydney found teaching a section of U101 as a Peer Leader and the SPTE course on Mental Health rewarding. Following graduation, Sydney began a full-time role in the Gamecock Athletics business office.

Jeremiah Smith (Spring 2026 Grad)

West Columbia, South Carolina

Jeremiah Smith credits the Tepper Scholars Program for his personal and professional development. Interning with Tepper Sports and Entertainment, volunteer opportunities through the David and Nicole Tepper Foundation, interning with USC football and with the South Carolina State Senate have enriched his college experience. Jeremiah proudly made it to the final round of interviews for the NFL’s highly competitive internship program. He also joined Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. Following graduation, Jeremiah was hired as recruiting and player personnel assistant with Gamecock Athletics.

Kelsey Smith (Fall 2025 Grad)

Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

Kelsey Smith is grateful for the opportunity to work with Tepper Sports & Entertainment (Carolina Panthers & Charlotte FC), Pacers Sports & Entertainment and South Carolina Athletics as the volleyball manager and N.I.L collective. Her experiences taught her the importance of teamwork, adaptability, and communication in creating exceptional events that leave a lasting impact on athletes, fans, and the community. Kelsey is interested in opportunities in team and event operations, stadium or facility management, or sports logistics with a professional organization.

Charitable Impact

Cohort 3 supported the following organizations this year with their 140 hours of community service: Harvest Hope, HRSM Represent, Middle Tyger Community YMCA, Play60 Camp, Silver Spring Pennsylvania Fire Company, South Carolina State Senate

Cohort 2 Feature Story

Jake Brown (Spring 2025 Grad)

Groton, Massachusetts

Jake Brown built strong industry relationships while still a USC student through roles with the Carolina Panthers, TSE, Learfield, Charlotte FC,  Bespoke Sports & Entertainment and Peak Sports MGMT. He served as a College of HRSM Student Leader and a Department of Sport and Entertainment Management Student Mentor. After graduation this spring, he accepted a position as an events assistant with ESPN Events.

Ambar Ferra (Spring 2025 Grad)

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Ambar Ferra completed a rotational internship with TSE, worked at the Masters Tournament and Panthers gamedays, and interned with South Carolina Athletics while still a USC student. She participated in the HRSM Leadership Program and the Dean’s Global Classroom in Japan. After graduation this spring, Ferra joined  the Houston Dash and Houston Dynamo Football Club as an event services coordinator.

Hannah Margeson (Summer 2024 Grad)

Potomac Falls, Virginia

Hannah Margeson served as a College of HRSM Student Leader and earned an Academic Excellence Award in 2023-24. After a post-graduation internship with Bespoke Sports & Entertainment in Charlotte, she accepted a permanent position as coordinator of client services at Aquarius Sports and Entertainment in Gaithersburg, Maryland. She is engaged to be married to fellow College of HRSM alum Tyler Mains.

Kayla Simmons (Spring 2025 Grad)

Lodi, New Jersey

Kayla Simmons was a Case Cup team member and served as a teaching assistant for finance and held an officer role in Sigma Psi Mu professional fraternity as a USC student.She interned with the Credit One Charleston Open and USGA. After completing her coursework, she spent spring semester interning with the New Jersey Devils, and earned a full-time role with the team as a sales associate.

Charitable Impact

Cohort 2 supported the following organizations this year through their community service: College of HRSM, Fort Mill Animal Shelter, Joy to the Carolinas, Riverbank Zoo and Garden, Sigma Psi Mu, Torrimar Ladies and Young Life.

Cohort 1 Graduation Feature Story

Cohort 1 Feature Story

Madelin McLean (Summer 2024 Grad)

Catonsville, Maryland

Maddi earned honor after honor as a USC student, including the College of HRSM Dean’s Award for Outstanding Leadership, the Outstanding Senior Award, and the President’s Award. and graduated magna cum laude. After starting her career as a seasonal intern with the Baltimore Ravens, she joined the Cleveland Browns in a permanent position as team logistics and operations assistant.

Jordan Mooring (Summer 2024 Grad)

Alpharetta, Georgia

First-generation student Jordan Mooring came to USC having already overcome adversity and hoping to prove that with hard work you can overcome obstacles and are not defined by your circumstance. She succeeded, earning her degree in sport and entertainment management and moving on after graduation to an internship with USA Football.

Devon Watson (Spring 2024 Grad)

McDonough, Georgia

Devon Watson came to South Carolina after graduating as valedictorian of his high school and continued to grow and excel as a Gamecock. He served as a College of HRSM Student Leader, USC Athletics Ambassador and Gamecock Football student manager, as well as a Panthers game day associate. After graduation, he joined the Washington Commanders as a seasonal equipment intern.