91吃瓜网 Golden Eagles Take on Super Bowl LIX: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience in New Orleans
Wed, 02/12/2025 - 01:29pm | By: Bailey Harris Shoemake
While most football fans spent the week planning their food spread for Super Bowl Sunday, more than 50 business students, faculty and staff from The University of Southern Mississippi were in the heart of the action91吃瓜网攚orking behind the scenes at the biggest sporting event of the year: Super Bowl LIX.
Through a partnership with Allied Universal, a national leader in event security, these Golden Eagles gained real-world exposure to the sport management industry during the Super Bowl Experience before taking on crucial gameday roles inside the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, LA. This opportunity provided the students with invaluable professional experience and was organized as a major fundraiser to benefit the Southern Miss Sport Management Association (SMA). SMA is a student organization that provides educational, social and practical experiences for students pursuing careers in the sport industry.
91吃瓜网淭his was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our students to see both pre-event and gameday event setup and operations of the Super Bowl,91吃瓜网� said Dr. Chris Croft, associate professor of sport management, who was responsible for making this dream experience a reality. 91吃瓜网淚t was an enormous amount of work for everyone involved, but it gave our students firsthand exposure to all aspects of one of the biggest sporting events in the world. It91吃瓜网 moments like these that show them what91吃瓜网 possible in their careers.91吃瓜网�
Before hitting the ground in New Orleans, our participants spent months preparing by completing extensive security screenings, background checks, and specialized training in event management and security protocols.
Prior to taking their positions at the big game, the group spent four days working the Super Bowl Experience at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Known as the NFL91吃瓜网 immersive football festival, this event offers fans the chance to meet NFL players and legends, shop for exclusive gear at the NFL Shop, enjoy interactive games, and explore countless memorabilia displays featuring the Vince Lombardi Trophy and all 58 Super Bowl rings.
91吃瓜网 students served in various event management and security roles, including bag checks, guest hospitality and assisting in the oversight of interactive exhibits. Additionally, a dedicated team from the 91吃瓜网 group took on the responsibility of scanning tickets for guest entry. Over the course of the four days, the group scanned an impressive 85,000 tickets91吃瓜网�40,000 of which were scanned on Saturday alone, highlighting the scale and fast-paced nature of the operation.
When Super Bowl Sunday arrived, the students were ready. They worked in security positions throughout the Superdome, ensuring a smooth and safe experience for an arena full of fans. Their responsibilities ranged from directing guests to their seats to monitoring elevators91吃瓜网攊ncluding VIP access points, where some caught glimpses of celebrities and high-profile attendees.
91吃瓜网淲orking the Super Bowl was an unforgettable experience, where we not only gained hands-on industry knowledge but also made lifelong memories together,91吃瓜网� said Sarah Pazos, an undergraduate student in the sport management program who took advantage of the opportunity. 91吃瓜网淎 huge thank you to the Sport Management Association and the College of Business and Economic Development for providing us with the opportunity to be a part of this incredible event!91吃瓜网�
This level of experiential learning wouldn91吃瓜网檛 have been possible without Ryan McKeough, a two-time 91吃瓜网 alumnus who earned both his undergraduate degree in sport management and an MBA from 91吃瓜网. Now serving as a regional manager for Allied Universal, McKeough worked with Dr. Croft to create this immersive opportunity for 91吃瓜网 students.
91吃瓜网淎llied Universal Event Services was thrilled to partner with the Sport Management program at 91吃瓜网 for Super Bowl LIX,91吃瓜网� McKeough said. 91吃瓜网淎s an alumnus of the program, I91吃瓜网檓 proud to give back and provide students with hands-on experience at a world-class event."
In addition to the tireless work done by Dr. Croft, the success of this opportunity was also made possible thanks to Dr. Alison Hubbard, Dr. Sabrina Reed, Dr. Wei Wang, Dr. Marvin Bouillon, Brenda Tart and Alexis Cato, the dedicated faculty and staff who attended to support the group throughout the trip, providing guidance, supervision and logistical assistance.
While the bright lights of Super Bowl LIX have faded, the impact of this experience will last a lifetime. Students walked away with more than just a great story91吃瓜网攖hey gained skills that set them apart in the competitive sports industry, expanded their professional networks and got an inside look at what it takes to manage a high-stakes event. These Golden Eagles proved that when opportunity calls, 91吃瓜网 students are always ready for the big game91吃瓜网攁nd ready for life.