2024 SEVT Award Recipients

SEVT Lifetime Achievement Award — James Phillips, Commissioner, ACC 

James J. Phillips, Ph.D., began his tenure as Atlantic Coast Conference Commissioner on February 1, 2021. The fifth commissioner in the history of the ACC, Phillips has more than three decades of experience in NCAA Division I athletics, a track record of tremendous achievement, a vision for the future of intercollegiate athletics, and a passion for helping student-athletes achieve impact and success in competition, in the classroom, and in their communities.

Under Phillips’ leadership, the ACC moved its headquarters in the fall of 2023 to Uptown Charlotte as part of Legacy Union’s Bank of America Tower – mere blocks away from the Carolina Panthers, Charlotte FC, Charlotte Knights, and the Charlotte Hornets. In alignment with the conference office relocation and following an eight-month strategic and comprehensive process, the ACC launched ACCOMPLISH GREATNESS, a multi-part brand campaign highlighting the vast success of the ACC’s athletics and academics alike.

In September 2023, while working alongside the ACC Board of Directors, Phillips was instrumental in the formal admittance of the University of California (Cal), Southern Methodist University (SMU), and Stanford University, who will become full members during the summer of 2024. 

The balance of academic and athletic excellence continues to be a top priority for the ACC. Since the 2021-22 academic year, the ACC has won 20 team national championships, more than any other conference. Academically, the league’s unique blend of public and private institutions continues to lead the way among Autonomy 5 conferences in the 2023 “Best Colleges” rankings released by U.S. News & World Report. The ACC was the only FBS conference to place four of its member institutions among the top 30 and eight member schools among the top 50. With an average rank of 54.9, the ACC led all FBS conferences for the 17th consecutive year.

The league’s partnership with Disney/ESPN has flourished under Phillips’ tenure as ACC Network secured full distribution in December 2021 and is available to the same number of households as Disney and ESPN. In February 2023, the ACC and Disney announced a monumental partnership with Ally becoming a league corporate partner and first-ever title sponsor of the ACC Women’s Basketball Tournament, ACC Women’s Soccer Championship, and presenting sponsor of the 2023 ACC Women’s Lacrosse Championship.

Phillips is known as one of the leading voices across the college sports landscape. In August 2021, he was selected to serve as part of the 28-member NCAA Constitution Review Committee to identify the core principles that define college sports and propose a new governance model that allows for quicker change without sacrificing broader values, while either reaffirming or redefining those values. He is also a member of the Division I Transformation Committee, which was formed to identify opportunities to modernize college sports and recommend forward-looking changes for consideration by the NCAA. Phillips currently serves as Vice President of the Collegiate Commissioners Association and will become President for the 2024-25 academic year.

Prior to being named commissioner, Phillips served as the Combe Family Vice President for Athletics & Recreation at Northwestern University. He was named Northwestern's 21st director of intercollegiate athletics and recreation in April 2008. By 2012, Phillips was elevated by Northwestern President Morton Schapiro to the position of Combe Family Vice President for Athletics & Recreation, a title reflecting the campus-wide responsibilities of the role as well as its voice on the President’s Senior Staff.

He was elected as the inaugural chair of the NCAA Division I Council in February 2015 and served as the first-ever sitting athletic director on the NCAA Board of Directors and Board of Governors. In March 2017, he was appointed to the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Selection Committee. Phillips also served as a member of the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Selection Committee, NCAA Men’s Basketball Oversight Committee, was appointed to the Fiesta Bowl Board of Directors in June 2018, and chaired the Big Ten TV/Media Committee. He twice served as a member of the Rose Bowl Management Committee and was honored as the 2018 Sports Business Journal Athletic Director of the Year for his leadership at Northwestern.

Phillips’ commitment to inclusiveness in athletics was recognized in 2019 when he was honored by the NCAA as a Champion of Diversity and Inclusion. The honor recognizes those who work to support underrepresented communities among college athletics administrators.

SEVT Pioneer in Sport and Entertainment Management Award - Emily Cole, Owner, Savannah Bananas

Prior to her work with Fans First Entertainment which began in 2011, Emily spent time with Ripken Baseball and the Augusta GreenJackes as well as the Vermont Lake Monsters and the Binghamton Mets. Emily’s biggest passion with the team is working with the full time staff, interns, and hundreds of game day staff workers to focus on the culture, service, and logistics of events held at the ballpark.

After the birth of their son, Maverick, Emily stepped back a little from every day operations to raise Mav and the other children in their care (Jesse and Emily are foster parents) but can still be found often around the stadium. She also oversees their Airbnb rentals on Tybee and wrote the team’s first children’s book, titled Go Bananas!

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SEVT award categories and history

Lifetime Achievement in Sport and Entertainment Award

The Lifetime Achievement in Sport and Entertainment Award recognizes an industry veteran for achievements of lasting impact over a number of years in the fields of sport, entertainment, or venue management. He or she embodies the professionalism, commitment to excellence, and business savvy that has propelled sport, entertainment, or venue management to become a key industry in the 21st century.

• 2023: Ron Smith,  Founding Principal, McMillian I Pazden I Smith Architecture
• 2023: Bryan Trubey, FAIA, Executive Vice President, Overland Partners Architecture and Urban Design  
• 2022: Greg Sankey, Commissioner, Southeastern Conference (SEC)
• 2019: Linda Deckard, CEO/Publisher, Deckard & Associates
• 2018: Ben Sutton Jr., Founder and Managing Partner, Teall Capital
• 2017: Peter Luukko, Executive Chairman, The Florida Panthers Hockey Club and Co-Chairman, Arena Alliance, Oak View Group
• 2016: Frank Roach, Chief Everything Officer at Frank Advice and Principal with Pinnacle Venue Services
• 2014: Kenneth Feld, Chairman and CEO, FELD Entertainment, Inc
• 2013: Tim Leiweke, CEO, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment
• 2012: Brad Mayne, CFE, President and CEO, MetLife Stadium (home to the NFL's New York Football Giants and New York Jets)
• 2011: Alex Hodges, Chief Executive Officer, Nederlander Concerts
• 2010: Mike McGee, CFE, former Executive Vice President, North American Business Operations, Ticketmaster Entertainment, Inc. 
• 2009: Tony Tavares, President & Chief Executive Officer, Sports Properties Acquisition Corporation / President & Chief Executive Officer, ProEminent Sports LLC
• 2008: Claire L. Rothman, retired, General Manager / President Great Western Forum (home to the NBA Los Angeles Lakers and NHL Los Angeles Kings)
• 2007: Jim Hunter, Vice President, Corporate Communications, NASCAR
• 2006: Wilson Howard, President, Southeast Region Live Nation
• 2005: Dr. Bernie Mullin, President and Chief Executive Officer, Atlanta Spirit, LLC
• 2004: Ed Snider, Chairman, Comcast-Spectacor
• 2003: Allen Becker, Founder, PACE Entertainment Group
• 2002: Roy Kramer, former Commissioner, Southeastern Conference
• 2001: Abe Pollin, Chairman, Washington Sports and Entertainment

Pioneer in Sport and Entertainment Award

The Pioneer in Sport and Entertainment Award recognizes an individual for an innovative contribution in the fields of sport, entertainment, or venue management. This recipient has pioneered an idea, strategy, program, or product that has altered the way our industry does business and resulted in an achievement generally recognized for its long term significance.

• 2023: Andrea Brimmer, Chief Marketing and Public Relations Office, Ally Financial 
• 2022: Fred Whitfield, President and Vice Chairman, Charlotte Hornets
• 2021: Sheila Johnson, CEO of Salamander Hotels and Resorts and president of the WNBA’s Washington Mystics
• 2019: Tim Pernetti, Executive Vice President, Endeavor
• 2018: Abe Madkour, Executive Editor, SportsBusiness Journal
• 2018: Richard Weiss, Publisher, SportsBusiness Journal
• 2017: John Platillero, Founder and CEO, EventBooking
• 2016: Sonny Vaccaro, Sports Marketing Innovator and Athlete's Rights Advocate
• 2014: Jane Kleinberger, Founder, Paciolan
• 2013: Michael Cohl, President, IES Iconic Entertainment Studios
• 2012: Barbara Hubbard, Executive Director, American Collegiate Talent Showcase (ACTS)
• 2010: Liza Cartmell, Group President, ARAMARK Sports and Entertainment
• 2008: Humpy Wheeler, retired, President, Speedway Motorsports, Inc. (the first racing company to go public on the NYSE) / retired, President, Lowe's Motor Speedway (33 years)
• 2007: Coach Willie Jeffries, retired, head college football coach South Carolina State University, Howard University, and Wichita State University
• 2006: Allen J. Bloom, former Executive Vice President, Marketing & Sales, Feld Entertainment, Inc.
• 2005: Leigh Steinberg, President and CEO, Leigh Steinberg Enterprises, Tollner, Moon, and Steinberg Sports Management
• 2004: Fred Rosen, Former President and CEO, Ticketmaster Group, Inc.
• 2003: Katherine Switzer, Women's Running Pioneer, First woman to compete in Boston Marathon (1967)
• Founder, Avon Running Global Women's Circuit
• 2002: Roy Kramer, former Commissioner, Southeastern Conference
• 2001: Hank Jones, President, Sports Design

International Executive in Sport and Entertainment Award

The International Executive in Sport and Entertainment Award recognizes an individual who has greatly impacted the fields of sport, entertainment, or venue management. This recipient's passion for the industry and business acumen has forged partnerships and transcended borders, contributing to advancements recognized both nationally and internationally.

• 2014: Craig Lovett, Partner, Incognitus; Paul Lovett, Partner, Incognitus
• 2011: Guy Ngata, General Manager, Mercedes-Benz Arena (Shanghai, China)
• 2010: Aldo Giampaolo, Executive Producer, Cirque du Soleil (Montreal, Quebec)
• 2007: Harvey Lister, Chairman, and Rod Pilbeam, Executive Director, Ogden IFC (Queensland, Australia)
• 2006: Lawrence Chia, Chairman, PICO (Hong Kong)
• 2005: Alejandro Garza Díaz, Corporate Director of Planning and Promotion, CIE Entretenimiento (Mexico)

Academic Achievement in Sport and Entertainment Award

The Academic Achievement in Sport and Entertainment Award recognizes a scholar whose research and/or teaching has made a significant positive impact in the fields of sport, entertainment, or venue management. This recipient's analysis of trends and industry research has led to meaningful dialogue between academicians and industry professionals.

• 2019: Dr. Cheri Bradish, Director of the Future of Sport Lab, Chair of Marketing Management, Ryerson University
• 2018: Dr. Daniel Mahony, President, Winthrop University
•  2017: Dallas Branch, Associate Professor Emeritus, University of West Virginia
•  2016: Lisa Pike Masteralexis, Associate Dean for Administration & Associate Professor Sport Management. ISENBERG School of Management, UMASS Amherst
• 2013: Dr. Matthew Shank, President of Marymount University
• 2012: Dr. William A. "Bill" Sutton, Founder and Principal, Bill Sutton & Associates / Founding Director, Sport and Entertainment MBA Program, Department of Management and Organization, University of South Florida
• 2011: Dr. Packianathan Chelladurai, Professor, School of Physical Activity & Educational Services, The Ohio State University
• 2010: Dr. Annie Clement, Professor and Attorney, Sport Administration Program, University of New Mexico
• 2009: Dr. David K. Stotlar, Director, School of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Northern Colorado
• 2007: Dr. Peter J. Graham, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Department of Sport and Entertainment Management, University of South Carolina
• 2006: Glenn M. Wong, Professor and Attorney, Department of Sport Management, Isenberg School of Management, University of Massachusetts
• 2004: Dr. Charles Higgins, Associate Professor, Emeritus Sports Administration, Ohio University
• 2003: Dr. Herb Appenzeller, President, Appenzeller & Associates
• 2002: Dr. Guy M. Lewis, Chairman, Department of Sport Administration, University of South Carolina 

Outstanding Corporate Partner in Sport and Entertainment Award

The Outstanding Corporate Partner in Sport and Entertainment Award recognizes a company for its long-standing commitment and exceptional service to the fields of sport, entertainment, or venue management. Through its programs and business practices, this company has reached out to our patrons and improved their spectator experience. Our industry looks forward to a continued partnership with this award recipient.

• 2014: Contemporary Services Corporation (CSC)
  Accepted by: Jay Purves, Vice President, CSC Nevada
• 2010: AEG Facilities
  Accepted by: Dale Adams, General Manager, Gila River Arena & Vice President Event Development AEG Facilities 
• 2009: Comcast-Spectacor
  Accepted by: John Page, Chief Operating Officer, Global Spectrum
• 2008: Ticketmaster
  Accepted by: Mike McGee, Executive Vice President, North American Business Operations
• 2007: Feld Entertainment, Inc.
  Accepted by Kenneth Feld, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
• 2006: The Coca-Cola Company
  Accepted by Chuck Fruit, Senior Advisor, Marketing, Strategy & Innovation
• 2005: Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated
  Accepted by Laura Sawyer, Senior Vending Account Manager
• 2004: Anheuser-Busch Companies, “Sound Attitudes and Good Sport”
  Accepted by John Kaestner, Vice President of Consumer Affairs

Distinguished USC Alumni in Sport and Entertainment

The Distinguished USC Alumni Award recognizes a graduate of the University of South Carolina who has made a significant impact in the fields of sport, entertainment, or venue management. He or she embodies the professionalism, commitment to excellence, and business savvy that has propelled sport, entertainment, or venue management to become a key industry in the 21st century.

• 2022: Jessica O'Neill, President, Houston Dash & Houston Dynamo Football Club, COO
• 2018: Mike Boykin, CEO, Bespoke Sports & Entertainment  /  Rosalyn Durant, Vice President, College Networks, ESPN

Distinguished Service Award

• 2021: Nicole Tepper, Co-owner of Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC