Fredonia’s Sport Management Club members returned to the Super Bowl for the third time in four years, but Super Bowl LI – won by the New England Patriots in a stunning comeback over the Atlanta Falcons – was the first year they were issued “game day” assignments at the premier sporting event.
At NRG Stadium in Houston, the Fredonians helped to direct fans and celebrities while also handling additional tasks they took on at other Super Bowls that are designed to enhance the fan experience at the iconic game between the AFC and NFC champions.
Fifteen current students who were joined by one alumnus and two faculty members earned internship credits by taking part in hands-on sport industry experiences during the week leading up to the game day.
They were able to apply what they learned in the classroom to real-world sport management aspects and concepts that included marketing, event planning, promotions, game day operations and facility management, according to Sport Management Assistant Professor Penny Hite. Providing security at autograph signing stations, interacting with fans at the combine and games, as well as working other fan experience events, were among individual tasks taken on by students.
But game day was an entirely different and exhilarating experience, Dr. Hite added. It immersed student more fully into the storied Super Bowl experience.
Students and chaperones were assigned to either wayfinding duties or greeting fans. Wayfinders help fans and celebrities find their seats, broadcast venues or sponsored pre-game parties, while greeters actually work the parties. Stepf Sosnowski, a lucky member of the Fredonia contingent, was stationed at the Patriots pre-game party and rubbed elbows with former players and celebrities. Two classmates, Kristin Swan and Josh Crocetti, were on-site inside the stadium. Hite was assigned to the Champions Party, where Lady Antebellum and O.A.R. played for fans from both teams.
“Everyone was responsible for improving the fan experience,” Hite said.
Several students proclaimed their four days spent in Houston, which also included plenty of sight-seeing, to be an “experience of a lifetime.” But it’s also one that Hite says gets better and better each year.
“Every year when we return, I feel nothing will top what we just experienced, but somehow it gets more enjoyable as our assignments get more advanced and involved,” Hite explained. “I never thought we would top our New Orleans trip; the highlight was being assigned to the Direct TV Celebrity Flag-Football game on Saturday.” That job required students to “handle” celebrities who would be playing in the flag-football game.
“We were assigned to Chris Collingworth, Li’l Wayne, Lolo Jones, Hannah Davis, Neil Patrick Harris and Chrissy Teigen, to name a few. Additionally, the Manning family, including Eli, Peyton and Archie, walked our red carpet as did Mark Cuban and Dan Patrick. It was very exciting!”
A year ago, the Fredonia contingent enjoyed all San Francisco had to offer, but this year students were able to be inside the Super Bowl stadium. They savored the Super Bowl experience along with over 70,000 fans. “We had several students who made the trip for the second straight year, and I am sure we will have repeaters next year when we head to Minneapolis,” Hite added. Fredonia students were also volunteers at Super Bowls held in New Orleans and Santa Clara.
Word about the Fredonia-Super Bowl connection is getting around, notably among prospective students.
“I’ve actually asked freshman Sport Management students why they chose Fredonia, and a few have mentioned that they heard about the trip during Open House presentations and decided to attend,” said Jason Becker, Sport Management Club advisor.
“It’s a great educational experience that has become a great recruitment tool as well. I’ve enjoyed the trip and I know the students have gained such a strong perspective of game and pre-game operations,” Mr. Becker noted.
