In the increasing competitive collegiate landscape, it is becoming harder and harder to stand out. But Coastal Carolina University is a prime example of a university that has managed its growth well, fielding a football team that has become a powerhouse out of nowhere in recent years and a formidable basketball program. Its new football stadium is already paying dividends, hosting the Myrtle Beach Bowl, one of the newest bowl games on the schedule. Coastal’s longtime athletics director, MattHogue, joined us recently to explain how one school has plotted its growth and what other universities and communities can learn about how to make a splash on the largest stage possible. We hope you enjoy the conversation.

In the increasing competitive collegiate landscape, it is becoming harder and harder to stand out. But <a href="https://goccusports.com/">Coastal Carolina University</a> is a prime example of a university that has managed its growth well, fielding a football team that has become a powerhouse out of nowhere in recent years and a formidable basketball program. Its new football stadium is already paying dividends, hosting the <a href="https://www.myrtlebeachbowlgame.com/">Myrtle Beach Bowl</a>, one of the newest bowl games on the schedule. Coastal&rsquo;s longtime athletics director, Matt Hogue, joined us recently to explain how one school has plotted its growth and what other universities and communities can learn about how to make a splash on the largest stage possible. We hope you enjoy the conversation.

In-depth discussions with leaders in the sports-event industry.

SportsTravel Podcast

Matt Hogue: Growing a Division I Athletics Program at Coastal Carolina

George Washington University sports management professor Lisa Delpy Neirotti has just attended her 23rd consecutive Olympic Games, once again playing a volunteer role at the Winter Games in Milan and Cortina. Along the way, she has become a keen observer of the logistics behind the Games, what works and what doesn’t. In this discussion with SportsTravel Publisher Jason Gewirtz, who was also in Milan and Cortina, she discusses her grades for the Games. We break down the pluses and minuses, including the Opening Ceremony, transportation, signage, volunteers, food and beverage, venues, overall atmosphere and more.

George Washington University sports management professor Lisa Delpy Neirotti has just attended her 23rd consecutive Olympic Games, once again playing a volunteer role at the Winter Games in Milan and Cortina. Along the way, she has become a keen observer of the logistics behind the Games, what works and what doesn&rsquo;t. In this discussion with SportsTravel Publisher Jason Gewirtz, who was also in Milan and Cortina, she discusses her grades for the Games. We break down the pluses and minuses, including the Opening Ceremony, transportation, signage, volunteers, food and beverage, venues, overall atmosphere and more.

Grading the 2026 Olympic Winter Games: Lisa Delpy Neirotti and Jason Gewirtz Reflect on Milan and Cortina

At the end of every year, our editorial staff at SportsTravel likes to take a look back at the year past and a look ahead to the year to come. And this year, we’re joined by our newest addition, Paul Stevens, who became senior editor of SportsTravel in November after a career in the business-to- business media space. He’s also a true sports fan, which makes him the perfect person to discuss the year ahead.

[article_sidebar]And what a year 2026 is shaping up to be with the World Cup headed to North America, the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games headed to Milan-Cortino, Italy, and so many more events on the schedule both here in the United States and abroad. In this episode, we break down the trends we’re watching across professional, collegiate and youth sports, and make some bold predictions about the outcome of sporting events in the year to come.

At the end of every year, our editorial staff at SportsTravel likes to take a look back at the year past and a look ahead to the year to come. And this year, we&rsquo;re joined by our newest addition, Paul Stevens, <a href="https://www.sportstravelmagazine.com/paul-stevens-joins-sportstravel-as-senior-editor/">who became senior editor of SportsTravel in November</a> after a career in the business-to- business media space. He&rsquo;s also a true sports fan, which makes him the perfect person to discuss the year ahead.
[article_sidebar]And what a year 2026 is shaping up to be with the World Cup headed to North America, the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games headed to Milan-Cortino, Italy, and so many more events on the schedule both here in the United States and abroad. In this episode, we break down the trends we&rsquo;re watching across professional, collegiate and youth sports, and make some bold predictions about the outcome of sporting events in the year to come.

Sports Event Trends We’re Watching in 2026

Like the millions of people living with disabilities, Paralympians have a multitude of ways they acquired those disabilities. Some like Ezra Frech were born with disabilities and many others like Lindi Marcusen acquired those disabilities later in life, in her case in a car accident just two weeks after her wedding. Nonetheless, the Paralympic Games have provided an amazing outlet for Ezra, Lindi and others to show everything they are capable of at the highest level of sport. In Ezra’s case, that resulted in two gold medals in Paris in the 100 meters and the high jump in his classification, and in Lindi’s case, it has allowed her to become the fastest woman on the U.S. team. But just because they have had success on the field doesn’t mean their travel experiences are easy. In fact, each of them has faced challenges as they seek to transport both themselves and their equipment to locations around the world, including to the world’s most prestigious sports events. It’s one of many reasons they are both now spokespeople for a new campaign organized by Ottobock, the global medtech company, called “The Invisible Class,” which is aiming to put a spotlight on the organizations that are actually succeeding when it comes to providing a better experience. And with December 3 being International Day of Persons with Disabilities, this conversation will take a look at what some of those travel challenges can be. But we’ll also take a look ahead at the opportunity that the Paralympic Games in Los Angeles will present to engage more people in the types of conversations that turn some of those travel challenges around.

Like the millions of people living with disabilities, Paralympians have a multitude of ways they acquired those disabilities. Some like Ezra Frech were born with disabilities and many others like Lindi Marcusen acquired those disabilities later in life, in her case in a car accident just two weeks after her wedding. Nonetheless, the Paralympic Games have provided an amazing outlet for Ezra, Lindi and others to show everything they are capable of at the highest level of sport. In Ezra&rsquo;s case, that resulted in two gold medals in Paris in the 100 meters and the high jump in his classification, and in Lindi&rsquo;s case, it has allowed her to become the fastest woman on the U.S. team.&nbsp;But just because they have had success on the field doesn&rsquo;t mean their travel experiences are easy. In fact, each of them has faced challenges as they seek to transport both themselves and their equipment to locations around the world, including to the world&rsquo;s most prestigious sports events. It&rsquo;s one of many reasons they are both now spokespeople for a new campaign organized by <a href="https://www.ottobock.com/en-us/home">Ottobock</a>, the global medtech company, called <a href="https://www.ottobock.com/en-us/invisible-class">&ldquo;The Invisible Class,&rdquo;</a> which is aiming to put a spotlight on the organizations that are actually succeeding when it comes to providing a better experience. And with December 3 being <a href="https://www.un.org/en/observances/day-of-persons-with-disabilities">International Day of Persons with Disabilities</a>, this conversation will take a look at what some of those travel challenges can be. But we&rsquo;ll also take a look ahead at the opportunity that the Paralympic Games in Los Angeles will present to engage more people in the types of conversations that turn some of those travel challenges around.

Matt Hogue: Growing a Division I Athletics Program at Coastal Carolina

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