Alumni Spotlight is a new website series that will highlight graduates of the College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management.  Our first article features Matt Homan, a 1999 graduate of the Department of Sport and Entertainment Management, who currently serves as the Assistant General Manager of the Colonial Center. 

To submit an outstanding graduate for recognition in Alumni Spotlight, or for any alumni-related questions, please contact Tina Weaver, Director of Alumni Relations, at 803-777-6721. 

Matt Homan: Under 30 and at the top of his game

Just five short years ago, Matt Homan sat in Dr. Tom Regan’s SPTE 440 class.   Many in the College know that Dr. Regan’s 440 class has a certain reputation on campus.  Matt called the class “the toughest one I had in the College,” but follows that with, “it was probably the best.” 

That class, SPTE 440, was one of many steps in Matt’s fast and steady rise to the top in his industry.  His most recent acknowledgement of success was being named to Billboard magazine’s “Power Players, 30 Under 30: Top Young Acts and Executives,” a list of top performers in the music and entertainment business.  Ranked beside top entertainment talent including artists Lindsay Lohan and Kanye West, Matt is already recognizable in his industry, considered by Billboard to be someone who has great business vision and potential for continued success.

When asked how he felt about being on Billboard’s “30 Under 30,” Matt responded that he was “shocked and excited when they [Billboard] first called” to share the news that he would be included on the list.  He feels it was a great honor to be the “only building guy included,” and said that “being told by clients that it was well deserved has been the most rewarding result of making the list.”

Long before making the Billboard list, and even before entering his industry, Matt knew there would be heavy demands and long hours on the job.  Nevertheless, Matt feels fortunate to have known what he wanted to do even before entering college.  “But that’s not the only way to succeed,” Matt said.  “It can be good to explore many different career options once you arrive at school.”  His career advice to prospective and current students is to “do something that you’re going to enjoy, and do something that you have a passion for doing.”

One of the reasons Matt chose his field was because it would give him something different to do every day.  He knew that sitting behind a desk and doing the same tasks every day would not be a good fit for him.  His job allows him to oversee a variety of activities, including basketball games, concerts, and even Sesame Street Live.

And it seems that tickets for Sesame Street Live may soon come in handy for Matt as he and his wife of four years, Paige Raines Homan, are expecting their first child in May.  Matt glows when he speaks about his wife, their baby due in the spring, and their 90 pound golden retriever Bella, whom he describes as “spoiled to no end.”    

Paige Homan is also a graduate of the College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management, and currently works as a recruiter for Blue Cross Blue Shield.  Matt and Paige decided together that given the long hours and demands, it would not be in their best interest for them both to be in what Matt refers to as “the business.”  “My wife is one of the most understanding people on earth for putting up with my hours,” Matt said.  “She’s a real trooper.”  Matt sometimes starts work at 8:00 AM and doesn’t return home until close to midnight, often to find Bella resting in his spot on the bed. 

Where it all began

Matt grew up going to work with his father, who is also in this industry, and says that his career choice was heavily influenced by his father and his father’s friends.  Matt spent days at work with his father, interacting with everyone throughout his father’s facility--from those in the ticket booth to the building general manager.  His first job at age 16 was in a ticket office after school and on weekends.  That experience was useful when he applied for a job at the University of South Carolina Coliseum box office, where he worked for two and a half years during college. 

As a student in the Department of Sport and Entertainment Management, Matt was also required to complete a practicum as part of his course requirements.  He completed his practicum in the marketing department of the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia between semesters.  The work proved to be an invaluable experience when one of Matt’s coworkers, the marketing coordinator with whom he was working closely, went on an unexpected leave of absence after just two weeks of his twelve week job.  Matt felt he was given an opportunity to succeed, and he jumped on it.  His classroom lessons and practical work experience gave him the tools he needed to succeed.  The summer following his practicum in the Wachovia Center marketing department, Matt returned to the Wachovia Center to work as the Director of Hockey Operations for the Philadelphia Bulldogs. 

Matt also worked between semesters while on break from classes.  One winter break, Matt was home and working again at the Wachovia Center.    “It was the middle of a terrible storm—December 26, 1997,” Matt said, “and Disney on Ice was scheduled for that evening.”  “Everyone knew that they [the Wachovia Center] would be canceling the show that night,” he said, “but my dad told me I better go to work.”  Matt threw sandbags in the back of his Ford Probe and left for work.  “It took me about an hour and a half to get to work,” Matt said, “and I was only one of about seven people who showed up for work.”  The General Manager of the Center was impressed that Matt came to work, and even wondered how he managed to get in. 

After working his way through college, Matt landed a job in sales immediately upon graduation.  It was not his dream job.  In fact, he was somewhat disappointed that he didn’t get a job in event management.  Looking back, Matt said that the first two years he spent in sales was a blessing in disguise.  “It was the best thing that ever happened to me.  I learned so much and got so much out of working in sales,” he said.  He believes that his sales experience helped prepare him for his next job as the Event Coordinator for Sovereign Bank Arena in Trenton, NJ, and for the work he does now at the Colonial Center.

Coming back to Columbia in August 2002 was Matt’s next move.  He and Paige enjoyed settling back into their college town as Matt joined the staff of the Colonial Center as Director of Event Services.  Matt remembers calling the general manager “what seemed like every day” to be sure his position at the new facility, which opened in November 2002, was secured.  Matt likes being back in the city where he went to college.  “It’s comfortable,” Matt said, “and such a great atmosphere.”  In June, 2004, Matt was named to his current position as Assistant General Manager of the Colonial Center.  What’s next for Matt?  He said, “My immediate goal is to become a general manager,” but added “I like where I am right here, right now, and I want to see where the job takes me.”

It seems obvious that one key to Matt’s success is his work ethic.  Driven by example from his father, Matt embodies a strong work ethic, but also assures that he is not a workaholic.  “I enjoy my downtime,” Matt said.  When asked how he has risen to such a high level of success in such a short period of time, Matt responded that he set a goal for his first five to ten years out of school, and then did everything in his power to achieve that goal.  Matt said “I don’t set standards for myself that are impossible to reach.”  Instead, he sets what he believes to be realistic goals.  He doesn’t want you to think of him as too fast-paced, though, as he is a self proclaimed laid-back guy.  “Probably the most challenging thing for the future,” Matt said, “will be setting my goal for the next five to ten years.” 

Things you probably don’t know about Matt…

Siblings: Two sisters, Megan Homan and Colette Kruzel
Megan graduated from USC’s School of Nursing with a degree in exercise science, and currently manages the on-site wellness center at USB PaineWebber in Weehawken, NJ.  Colette, her husband, and two sons reside in Matt’s hometown of Media, PA, where Colette works for Comcast Cable Inc.

Role model: His father, Dave Homan
Matt harbors a close relationship with his father who serves as a source of inspiration.  Matt recalls many employees telling him that his father is “the best boss.”  “Not only is he a great boss, but he’s a great manager, a great father, and a great friend,” Matt said, adding, “My hope is to be just half as good as he is.”

Favorite restaurant: Ristorante Divino featuring Italian fare; Mr. Friendly’s, a restaurant owned by a friend that serves Southern cuisine; Matt also favors sandwich shops.
“One of the great things about Columbia is that there are so many good places to eat,” Matt said.  He added that he was disappointed when he returned to Columbia in 2002 and found out that Cerino’s was no longer in business.

Hobbies: Golf, soccer, spending time with his wife, Paige, and dog, Bella
When playing on an office soccer team last year, he often went home at night feeling like the “old guy,” even though he’s only 27.

Favorite sport: Football
“I’m a huge Gamecock football fan, and I love the Philadelphia Eagles,” Matt said.  In fact, Matt has Direct TV and watches every Eagles game.  Matt went to the Superbowl in 2004.  He says that watching the Eagles play in the Superbowl was a dream, but seeing them lose was heartbreaking.

Best concert or sporting event since the opening of the Colonial Center:  Matt said definitively, “there are three:” Prince, the first year of Jimmy Buffett (the one when he wore the Piggly Wiggly shirt), and the Eagles concert.
The event that Matt would love to host is a Phish concert, which his wife attributes to his “hippiness.”  “It’s one I would love to have,” Matt said, “but it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen.”

Favorite Movie: “There are so many,” Matt said when asked about his favorite movies.  His list includes Shawshank Redemption, Stripes, Cannonball Run, and of course, all the Rocky movies.  Matt says that he gets his love of television and movies from his mother, Sharon Homan.  He fondly recently bought her the entire first season of Miami Vice on DVD.  He remembers watching the show with his mom when he was growing up.

Age at which he wants to retire:  “In a dream world, I would retire young, live at the beach, and play golf every day,” Matt said.  Realistically, Matt hopes to retire when his children are in college. “But we’ll wait and see how life plays out,” he added.

Where he would live if he wasn’t in Columbia: Matt said he would live in the British Virgin Islands, which was his honeymoon destination with wife Paige after they were married in the Shenandoah Valley four years ago. 

Favorite class while at University of South Carolina:  Matt remembers quite well Dean Moody’s AIME 342 class.  “She taught us what it meant to be professional,” Matt said about Dean Moody.  He added that Dr. Moody taught the class the professional qualities they needed to own and exude, “qualities that I hope I have now,”  Matt said.  He added, “One thing I’ll always remember from that class is that your jacket needs to be tailored so that your shirt sleeve is one-fourth of an inch longer than your jacket sleeve.”

What he believes to be one of the biggest assets to the College:  Matt said that Frank Roach is a “premier person in this industry, and it is a great thing for the department [of sport and entertainment management] to have him.”

People he most admires in the industry: John Page, Peter Luukko, and Tom Paquette

Over the past two and a half years, Matt has worked under Tom Paquette, General Manager of the Colonial Center.  Matt said that Paquette has been quite influential during that time, allowing Matt many new opportunities and responsibilities.  Similarly, Matt is grateful to John Page, Operating Officer for Global Spectrum, who has given him numerous opportunities to grow within Global Spectrum.  Peter Luukko, President of Comcast Spectacor Ventures and Chairman of Global Spectrum, is a close friend of the Homan family.  Matt said he has always looked up to and admired Luukko, who treats Matt just like everyone else, despite the family-friend connection.