RISA
SLEPIKAS

Live events, social media, sports, music — and the space between them where people connect.

Explore My Work
Risa Slepikas in graduation attire with USF academic stole, smiling outdoors on campus

Who I Am

I've spent years working where audiences, events, sports, entertainment, content and music meet. My experience spans game presentations at the NCAA Women's Final Four, live event activations with the Tampa Bay Lightning, mascot management for USF Athletics, and social content campaigns reaching hundreds of thousands of people.

I'm a 2026 USF graduate with a B.A. in Integrated Public Relations & Advertising and a B.S. in Music Studies, with a minor in Deaf Studies.

Tampa Bay Lightning team members at an outdoor promotional booth with a blue GO BOLTS table and branded merchandise display ThunderBug mascot beside the branded Thunder Truck — Tampa Bay Lightning live events content
Live Events — 2023 to Present

Tampa Bay Lightning

As a Live Events Assistant with the Tampa Bay Lightning's Vinik Sports Group, I've been involved in branded promotional activations at grassroots marketing events, watch parties, season kickoffs, and playoff events across the Tampa Bay area.

The work includes community appearances, promotional activations, and coordination across events in the Tampa Bay area.

USF Athletics — 2021 to 2026

Rocky D. Bull & USF Athletics

For five years I've been deeply involved with USF Athletics — running the social media platforms for Rocky D. Bull, managing appearance requests, and supporting game presentations, in-game activations, and crowd engagement at Division I sports.

The Rocky D. Bull role covers social content creation, suit maintenance, appearance coordination, and team communication. The broader Marketing Staff role involves game-day activations, giveaway distribution, and working with the athletics department across multiple sports.

Risa Slepikas wearing an event headset at a USF Bulls game alongside the Rocky D. Bull mascot on the stadium sideline
Solé mascot at the USL Championship game — team mascot coverage at a championship match
Tampa Bay Sun FC — 2025 to Present

Solé — Sparkle Squad

As part of the Sparkle Squad for Tampa Bay Sun FC, I assist with branding and management of the team's mascot Solé. The role includes creating social media content and building in-person engagement with fans across the Tampa Bay area.

Social Media

Selected campaigns across Lightning/ThunderBug, USF/Rocky D. Bull, and Tampa Bay Sun/Solé. Each entry shows a real content example alongside exact measured metrics.

Lightning / ThunderBug

Tampa Bay Lightning Social Content

Video screenshot from the 'What the Bug Doin' campaign — ThunderBug mascot at Raymond James Stadium during a stadium event with 297K views
@ThunderBugTBL

What Da Bug Doin

Behind-the-scenes content, game-day activations, mascot social presence — 630,763 views and 185,019 reach.

630,763
Views
185,019
Reach
377
Follows
ThunderBug mascot wearing boxing gloves under stadium lights — Tampa Bay Lightning Stadium Series content
@ThunderBugTBL

Stadium Series

Community activations and branded content for the Tampa Bay Lightning's outdoor Stadium Series event.

375,781
Views
66,369
Reach
399
Follows
ThunderBug mascots in Lightning-branded pajamas at an outdoor fan event — general ThunderBug channel content
@ThunderBugTBL

TBug Content

General ThunderBug channel content — mascot appearances, community events, and fan engagement.

109,579
Views
40,141
Reach
7,311
Follows
USF / Rocky D. Bull

USF Athletics Social Content

Rocky D. Bull featured in an October 3rd social media creative for USF Athletics
@Rockyd.Bull

Rocky Content

Rocky D. Bull's social media platforms — appearances, activations, and community events reaching over a quarter million people in the Tampa Bay area.

622,636
Views
339,441
Reach
788
Follows
@Rockyd.Bull / USF Athletics

Boca & Hawaii Bowl

Rocky content from Boca Raton event and Hawaii Bowl coverage — bowl game social activations.

40,446
Views
26,106
Reach
10+
Follows
Rocky D. Bull mascot at an outdoor event with a kissing booth — Valentine's themed photo from a USF community event
@Rockyd.Bull / USF Athletics

Rocky Valentines

Rocky's Valentine's themed social content — holiday engagement with USF community.

26,169
Views
17,660
Reach
27
Follows
Tampa Bay Sun / Solé

Tampa Bay Sun FC Social Content

Solé mascot posing on a tropical beach with a gold pom-pom and decorative fan — Tampa Bay Sun FC mascot social content
Solé / Tampa Bay Sun FC

Solé Content

Solé's social media channel — team mascot content, Sparkle Squad appearances, and fan engagement for Tampa Bay Sun FC.

10,065
Views
3,815
Reach
8
Follows
Solé mascot at the USL Championship game — team mascot coverage at a championship match
Solé / Tampa Bay Sun FC

USL Championship

Solé content from the USL Championship game — team mascot coverage at a championship match.

18,372
Views
10,444
Reach
8
Follows
Analytics & Tools
Google Analytics Hootsuite Social Marketing

Music

Music has always been a part of who I am — from years of clarinet performance and ensemble work through my university Music Studies degree.

♩

Music Studies (B.S.)

Bachelor of Science in Music Studies — University of South Florida, 2026. Music as an integral part of academic and creative life.

♩

School of Music Ambassador

USF School of Music Student Ambassador, 2021–2026. Representing the music program and connecting with the campus and broader community.

♩

Clarinet & Ensemble

Years of clarinet performance and ensemble experience spanning university and regional competitions.

♩

Music Marketing & Representation

Music marketing experience including talent representation, fundraising, and communications within the music program. I.C.A. Grant Recipient.

USF School of Music clarinet ensemble — young musicians in black concert attire holding clarinets and bass clarinets in a recital hall

Education

University of South Florida

2026 — B.A. & B.S., Magna Cum Laude

Integrated Public Relations & Advertising Music Studies

Minor: Deaf Studies

Selected Recognition
2023–2026 USF Dean's List
2021–2026 USF School of Music Student Ambassador
2024 Zimmerman School — Carrie Lyn Krusoe Memorial Award
2022–23 Zimmerman School — Advertising Endowed Scholarship
2020, 2021 National Youth Character Award & Scholarship

Full Resume

A detailed version of my experience, education, and background is available for download.