In a remarkable achievement that showcases the exceptional talent emerging from the University of Miami, the student team "VarsityGripz" has claimed one of just six coveted finalist positions in the prestigious NHL Innovation Competition. The University of Miami's performance in this competition is a testament to the university's culture of innovation and collaborative excellence.
The Power of Taking a Chance: An Interdisciplinary Winning Formula
What makes the “VarsityGripz” story so compelling is how these students
- Maurice Manswell: B.S.Ed. in Sport Administration (School of Education & Human Development) with a minor in Entrepreneurship—bringing sports industry insight and entrepreneurial vision
- Ryan Carrell: BBA, Finance and Economics Double Major—contributing financial modeling and economic strategy
- Charles Brandenstein: BSBA, Finance—adding investment perspective and business analytics
- Carlo Goldberg: B.S. in Engineering, Innovation Technology & Design—delivering technical innovation and design thinking
from completely different schools and disciplines, took a bold chance to collaborate across disciplines. Now, they are in a position to earn mentorship from NHL and ESPN executives, national recognition, and the opportunity to shape the future of a multi-billion-dollar industry.
A Winning Foundation Built on Campus Excellence
The journey to this extraordinary opportunity began with a rigorous campus competition that demonstrated the University of Miami's commitment to innovation and excellence. The Miami Herbert Business School andSchool of Education & Human Development Sport Administration program designed a competitive vetting process to identify the most promising concepts to represent "The U" on the national stage. The event launched with inspiration from Doug Honegger, a former professional hockey player, 1992 Winter Olympian, and MHBS EMBA alumnus, who will continue mentoring the students as they pursue victory in the finals.
The competition challenged participants to envision groundbreaking solutions to a critical industry question: How can we revolutionize hockey's future by expanding participation, increasing safe access, and transforming the game into an even more engaging experience for families and communities? Teams developed innovative approaches across three transformative areas:
- Supporting the people who power sport.
- Expanding spaces for play.
- Putting fun back at the center of sport
An Unparalleled Opportunity for Growth and Industry Connection
As finalists, the "VarsityGripz" team now enters an intensive and exclusive mentorship phase that represents an extraordinary career-launching opportunity. Throughout January 2026, they will receive personalized coaching and mentorship from industry titans—executives and innovators from the NHL and ESPN who are actively shaping the global sports industry. This mentorship phase transforms the competition into something far greater than a contest: it becomes a gateway to the professional sports industry, offering networking opportunities and industry exposure that money simply cannot buy.
The Ultimate Stage: Final Pitch Day and Beyond
The competition reaches its climax on January 22, 2026, at the prestigious Wide World of Sports, where "VarsityGripz" will present their vision to a panel of senior-level executives and industry leaders.
The winning team will receive:
- National industry recognition as innovators reshaping hockey's future
- VIP attendance at the Stadium Series on February 1, 2026
- Featured coverage on ESPN, broadcasting their achievement to millions
- Direct connections with NHL executives and industry leaders
- Real-world validation of their concept by the sport's top decision-makers
A Platform for Transformational Impact
For our University of Miami students, this journey represents an extraordinary convergence of education, innovation, and real-world impact. They have earned the opportunity to compete, to represent the “U,” to learn from industry legends, and to potentially reshape how millions of people experience America's fastest-growing sport. Backed by the Industry Growth Fund's massive $200 million commitment to reimagining hockey for the next generation, "VarsityGripz" now stands at the threshold of contributing to this transformation.
Go ‘Canes!"
