Vinik Sport & Entertainment Management Program
Student Profiles
Class of 2026
Christian Ardizone
Christian Ardizone grew up in Montverde, Florida. He graduated from the University
of South Florida with a bachelor's degree in Sports Marketing and Entertainment. Previously,
he worked as a camp counselor at Kevin Boyle Montverde Academy Basketball. Upon graduation
Ardizone hopes to work in Player Relations for the NFL, NBA or NHL.
Filipe Avilez
Filipe Avilez grew up in São Paulo, Brazil. He graduated from the University of South
Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Business Analytics and Information Systems with
a minor in Astronomy. He served in the Navy and was a Logistics Specialist. Currently,
he is a Logistics Coordinator for Cirkul. Upon graduation, Avilez hopes to work as
a NFL General Manager or Draft Analyst.
Katie Beard
Katie Beard grew up in Land O Lakes, Florida. She graduated from University of South
Florida with a bachelor's degree in Mass Communications and a concentration in Broadcast
Production and Programming. Previously, she was an intern with USF Football working
in the creative media department. Currently, she is working as a camera operator for
the Lakeland Flying Tigers MiLB and is the content graduate assistant for the Vinik
Sport and Entertainment Management program. Upon graduation, Beard hopes to work for
a professional sports team doing creative media.
Magdalen Blevins
Magdalen Blevins grew up in Tampa, Florida. She graduated from the University of Florida
with a bachelor’s degree in Tourism, Event, and Recreational Management and a minor
in Leadership. Previously, she worked with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as part of the
Game Operations Staff. Upon graduation, Blevins hopes to work with the Tampa Bay Lightning
or the Rays in marketing or event management.
Jeffrey Bouschor
Jeffrey Bouschor grew up in Soldotna, Alaska. He graduated from the University of
South Florida with a bachelor's degree in Marketing and a concentration in Sport and
Entertainment Management. Previously, he worked as a Facilities Staff Member at USF
Recreation Center. Currently, he is the Facilities/Special Events Supervisor at the
USF Recreation Center. Upon graduation, Bouschor hopes to work in a marketing department
for a professional sports team or become an athletic director at a university.
Cindy Cabral
Cindy Cabral grew up in Fort. Pierce, Florida. She graduated from the University of
South Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Integrated Public Relations and Advertising.
Currently, she works for Creative Loafing as an Event Management Assistant. Upon graduation,
Cabral would like to work in Events or be a part of a Diversity and Inclusion Outreach
team.
Rose Caverly
Rose Caverly grew up in Brick, New Jersey. She graduated from Quinnipiac University
with a bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences and a minor in Psychology. She also earned
her master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences and a certificate in Health Administration.
Previously, she was a basketball camp counselor for Hoop Group Headquarters and a
Basketball Assistant Coach for the Central Jersey Hawks. She was also the President
of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Currently, she is the Women's Basketball
Graduate Assistant Manager. Upon graduation, Caverly hopes to become a social media
manager for an NBA or NFL team.
Kennedi Chalmers
Kennedi Chalmers grew up in Reno, Nevada. She graduated from Florida State University
with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management with a minor in Hospitality and Tourism
Management. Previously, she worked for Seminole Boosters as an assistant for fundraising
for FSU. Currently, she is a Graduate Teaching Assistant for the Muma College of Business
at USF. Upon graduation, Chalmers hopes to work for a professional Tampa Bay team
in Marketing or Event Management.
Melody Chambers
Melody Chambers grew up in Wayne, New Jersey. She graduated from Clemson University
with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing with a minor in Sports Communication & Brand
Communications. Previously, she worked as a Community Relations Intern for the Miami
Dolphins as well as working with Clemson Athletics as a Marketing Intern. Currently,
she is a Partnerships Fellow for Vinik Sports Group. Upon graduation, Chambers hopes
to be the Head of Partnerships for a professional sports team.
Chase Cooper
Chase Cooper grew up in Boca Raton, Florida. He graduated from the University of Florida
with a bachelor’s in Sport Management and a minor in Statistics. Previously, he worked
as a UF Strength and Conditioning Performance Science Intern. Currently, he is a Marketing
Insights and Strategy Fellow with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Analytics Department. Upon
graduation, Cooper wants to pursue a career in performance or business analytics for
a professional organization, hopefully with the NFL or MLB.
Kayla FitzWilliam
Kayla FitzWilliam grew up in St. Louis Missouri. She graduated from Clemson University
with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and International Management. Previously, she
worked as a Marketing intern with Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute. She also
was a marketing and fan intern with Clemson Athletics as well as the Gastonia Honey
Hunters MiLB team. Currently, she is the Graduate Assistant with the MUMA College
of Business at USF. Upon graduation, FitzWilliam hopes to work in partnerships or
marketing for a sports team.
Sarah Gutt
Sarah Gutt grew up in Middletown, New Jersey. She graduated from the University of
Tampa with a bachelor’s degree in Sport Management. Previously, she worked for the
USF Athletics Marketing Department. She also was a part of the Game Presentation Staff
for the Tampa Bay Lightning. Currently, she works as a USF Athletics Marketing Associate
and the Tampa Bay Lightning Game Presentation Assistant. Upon graduation, Gutt hopes
to work for a professional sports team as in the Marketing department.
Eva Javorek
Eva Javorek grew up in Tampa, Florida. She graduated from the University of South
Florida with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and a concentration in Sports and Entertainment.
Currently, she is the Graduate Assistant for the Center for Marketing and Sales Innovation
at USF. Upon graduation, Javorek hopes to find her niche within the sports industry,
ultimately working towards her lifelong dream of having her name engraved on the Stanley
Cup.
Preston Kavanaugh
Preston Kavanaugh grew up in Canton, Michigan. He graduated from the University of
South Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and a concentration in Sports
and Entertainment Management and a minor in Leadership Studies. Previously, he worked
as an Assistant General Manager for Winter Garden Squeeze. Currently, he is working
for USF Football as a VIP Liaison and currently working as a Residential Assistant.
Upon graduation, Kavanaugh hopes to work in the Marketing or Operations departments
of a MLB team.
Nicholas Kilcourse
Nicholas Kilcourse grew up in Sicklerville, New Jersey. He graduated from Rowan University
with a bachelor’s degree in General Studies and a minor in Journalism. Previously,
he worked as a Head Sports Writer for The US Gambler. Upon graduation, Kilcourse hopes
to become a Social Media Manager for a hockey team or any Philadelphia sports team.
Taryn Lennon
Taryn Lennon grew up in Orange County, California. She graduated from Brigham Young
University with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism with an emphasis on sports media
and a minor in Business. Previously, she worked as an Intern at BYU with the Athletics
Communications Departments and the Athletics Sporting Event and Facilities Department.
She was a student athlete and was on the Softball Team at BYU. She was also a social
media intern for the Professional Pickleball Association. Currently, working as a
graduate assistant for USF Women’s Softball Team. Upon graduation, Lennon hopes to
work in event planning for a professional sports team.
Romi Levy
Romi Levy grew up in Herzliya, Israel. She graduated from the University of South
Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Currently, she plays for the Women’s
Basketball team at USF. Upon graduation, she hopes to become a Pro Basketball Player
or become a General Manager of a professional team.
Iñigo Martinez
Iñigo Martinez grew up in Madrid, Spain. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin
- Green Bay with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a minor in Business
Analytics. Previously, he worked as an IT support analyst at the University of Wisconsin
- Green Bay. Upon graduation, Martinez hopes to create his own business within the
sports industry.
Rylee Mulvaney
Rylee Mulvaney grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. She graduated from Maryville University
with a bachelor’s degree in Finance and a minor in Cybersecurity. Previously, she
was a Wealth Management Intern. Currently, she is the Women's Basketball Graduate
Assistant Manager. Upon graduation, Mulvaney hopes to become a financial advisor for
athletes.
Maisie Petchey
Maisie Petchey grew up in Milford, Delaware. She graduated from Arizona State University
with a bachelor’s degree in Business Law. Previously, she worked as a Marketing and
Social Media Manager for FireWatch Magazine. Currently, she is the Graduate Research
Assistant for the Vinik Sport and Entertainment Management Program. Upon graduation,
Petchey hopes to become a Director of Pro Scouting for an NFL Team.
Madison Providence
Madison Providence grew up in Orlando, Florida. She graduated from the University
of South Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing. Currently, she is working
at the USF Office of the Registrar as an Enrollment Management Assistant and has previous
internship experience working at a nonprofit organization. Upon graduation, Providence
hopes to work as a creative for the NFL, NWSL or WNBA.
Mo Stockon
Mo Stockon grew up in Tampa, Florida. She graduated from the University of Central
Florida with two bachelor’s degrees in Event Management and Entertainment Management.
Previously, she was an Event Manager at The Motor Enclave and The Manager of Artist
Relations at the Brooklyn Mirage - Avant Gardner. Currently, she is the Executive
Coordinator for Whet Travel. Upon graduation, Stockon hopes to work in Event Management
within the Sports or Music Industry to gain experience to build her own company.
Noah Strange
Noah Strange grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee. He graduated from the University of
Tennessee with two bachelor’s degrees, one in Finance with a collateral in Entrepreneurship
and another in Recreation and Sports Management. Previously, he was a Credit Manager
for Steam Logistics. Currently, he is a Partnership Services Coordinator for Fanatics.
Upon graduation, Strange hopes to work for an NIL Collective in a leadership or manager
role.
Mac Van Buren
Mac Van Buren grew up in Columbus, Ohio. He graduated from the University of Tampa
with a bachelor's degree in Sport Management and a minor in Business Administration.
Previously, he worked with the Columbus Crews as Stadium Operations staff. He also
was an Operations Intern for USF. Currently, he is working for Vinik Sports Group
as a Guest Experience Supervisor. Upon graduation, Van Buren wants to be a General
Manager or President of a hockey or soccer team.
Ainsleigh Wall
Ainsleigh Wall grew up in Land O’ Lakes, Florida. She graduated from Florida State
University with a bachelor’s degree in Sport Management and a minor in Communications.
Previously, she worked for the Detroit Tigers as a Business Operations Assistant.
Currently, she serves as the Events and Recruiting Graduate Assistant for the Vinik
Sport and Entertainment Management program and is also a VIP liaison for USF football.
Additionally, she manages Football Operations for the Land O’ Lakes High School football
team. Upon graduation, Wall aspires to work in operations in collegiate or professional
football.
Andrea Wallace
Andrea Wallace grew up in Tampa, Florida. She graduated from Kentucky State University
with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a minor in Management. Previously,
she worked in the Accounting Department for Stuart Eye Institute. Currently, she is
a Graduate Assistant for People Development Institute. Upon graduation, Wallace hopes
to work for a Sports Marketing Agency.
Andrew Watson
Andrew Watson grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana. He graduated from the University of
Louisville with a bachelor’s degree in Sport Administration and a minor in Political
Science. Previously, he worked for the Louisville Bats as a Suite & Premium Sales
Associate. Currently, he is a Reliaquest Bowl Public Relations and Corporate Partnerships
Fellow. Upon graduation, Watson hopes to work in Athlete Marketing and Corporate Partnerships.
Austin Zieman
Austin Zieman grew up in Woodstock, Illinois. He graduated from Michigan State University
with a Bachelor's in Business Management with a minor in Sports Business Management.
Previously, he worked as an intern in Marketing and Fan Engagement for Michigan State
Athletics and as a Sport Athletic Performance Intern for Michigan State Athletes.
Currently, he is a communications fellow with the Women Tennis Association. Upon graduation,
Zieman would like to work in Marketing or Event Management for a professional sport
organization.
Class of 2025
Jemma Adams
Jemma Adams grew up in Sarasota, Florida. She graduated from the University of Central
Florida in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in Event Management. Previously, she worked
at the Orlando Solar Bears, UCF Athletics Facilities and Events, and as a March Madness
catering liason. Upon graduation Adams hopes to work in professional sports in events
and operations.
Maxwell Ahmadi
Maxwell Ahmadi grew up in Cape Coral, Florida. He graduated from the University of
South Florida in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Analytics and Information
Systems. Previously, he worked as the lead data analyst for USF's Mens Baseball team,
and currently works as a CRM + BI Analyst for Vinik Sports Group. Upon graduation,
Ahmadi hopes to enter the sports industry through either analytics or business/project
management, with a preference for European football.
Emily Bible
Emily Bible grew up in Sebring, Florida. She graduated from Florida State University
in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in Commercial Entrepreneurship and Human Development
and Family Sciences . Previously, she was student director of small group training
and fitness supervisor at FSU Campus Recreation, and the business development intern
at Marmer Construction Company. Currently, Bible is the events and recruitment graduate
assistant for the Vinik Sport and Entertainment Management program. Upon graduation
Bible hopes to work in partnerships or sales within the sports industry before opening
a sports and fitness venture of her own one day.
Federico Domenico Rosato
Federico Domenico Rosato grew up in Milano, Italy. He graduated from Bocconi University
in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Management. Previously, he worked
as a ski instructor for Silvaplana Champfèr, and interned at Versalis S.p.a. - Eni
Group monitoring sustainable performances, and worked in digital marketing at Rougj
S.r.l. Upon graduation Rosato hopes to take on a central role in a sport organization
or club where he can be involved in business development and/or event management within
the industry, with a focus on sustainability.
Lisanny Estevez
Lisanny Estevez grew up in the Domican Republic. She graduated from the University
of South Florida in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in Communications. Previously, she
worked at HCC Tennis Center, and was the marketing and communications intern at Oxeen
Technologies. Upon graduation Estevez hopes to become an event manager/coordinator
arranging every detail involved in preparing for a sports event.
Sarah Ferrie
Sarah Ferrie grew up in Stirling, Scotland. She graduated from the University of Stirling
in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in Sports Studies. Previously, she worked in administration
and as a box office assistant in the entertainment industry. Upon graduation Ferrie
hopes to work in women’s soccer and help improve the exposure of women’s sports.
Grace Flaugher
Grace Flaugher grew up in Spring Hill, Florida. She graduated from the University
of South Florida in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing. Previously, she worked
as a marketing intern at USF Athletics and Full Circle, along with serving as a PR
tutor at USF Athletics. Upon graduation Flaugher hopes to become the marketing coordinator
for a professional (NHL, NFL, or NBA) or collegiate team (women's or men's basketball).
James Gerakios
James Gerakios grew up in Tarpon Springs, Florida. He graduated from the University
of Tampa in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing. Previously, he interned at
the University of Tampa in athletic communications, in USF athletic marketing, and
the Tampa Bay Rays as a fan host. He currently interns with USF Football and USF Hockey
for Creative Media. Upon graduation Gerakios hopes to work in professional sports
or a college athletic department either as a marketing manager, or in creative services.
Katherine Holcombe
Katherine Holcombe grew up in Bronxville, New York. She graduated from Tulane University
in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in Sustainable Real Estate Development . Previously,
she helped as a community relations associate, programs and partnership associate,
and marketing intern. Upon graduation Holcombe hopes to work within sports and entertainment
foundations and nonprofits.
Jadan Hudson
Jadan Hudson grew up in Coatesville, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Lock Haven University
of Pennsylvania in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management & Business Administration.
Previously, he worked in sales, customer service, and athletics. Upon graduation Hudson
hopes to advise student athletes as a student-athlete advisor, or academic advisor/counselor
while pursuing a career as an athletic director, operations/facilities coordinator,
or general manager of a professional sports organization.
Payton Hudson
Payton Hudson grew up in Wesley Chapel, Florida. She graduated from the University
of South Florida in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing with a concentration
in Sport and Entertainment Management. Previously, she interned at the USF Athletics
marketing department and is currently a fellow with the USF Athletics event management
department. Upon graduation Hudson hopes to work for a professional sports team in
event management or marketing.
Richard Jasen
Richard Jasen grew up in Hollywood, Florida. He graduated from Norwich University
in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in Strategic Studies and Defense Analysis. Previously,
he served at Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT) as senior advisor to Future
Operations / Sensitive Activities. Upon graduation Jasen hopes to work in sports operations,
performance, and staff/player development. He is also passionate about aiding service
members/athletes with life transitions.
Matthew Johnson
Matthew Johnson grew up in Orlando, Florida. He graduated from Florida State University
in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in Business and Sport Managment. Previously, he was
a sport management intern and lacrosse referee with Normal Cornbelters Tallahassee
High School. Upon graduation Johnson hopes to work in operations for a professional
sports team.
Domenico Mar