University of Georgia students and other students from metro Atlanta colleges have been hired as the supervising staff at the Super Bowl Experience, an event that happens before each Super Bowl annually, according to a UGA press release.
This the event will be Jan. 26-Feb. 3 in the Georgia World Congress Center, and students will help run the show as guests kick their own field goals, throw touchdown passes, try on football equipment or take photos with the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
“It’s absolutely massive in terms of attendance,” Sarah Palmer, a senior sport management major from Newnan who will be supervising the children’s area at this year’s Super Bowl Experience, said in the press release.
Palmer is one of the 25 UGA students who will be managing hourly workers at the various activity stations during the event.
“You definitely gain management experience and you learn to deal with all kinds of people and make them feel welcome,” Palmer said in the press release. “Not everyone gets to go to the Super Bowl, but you can get a ticket to experience what it’s like—that’s what we’re trying to do, is make sure everyone has a great experience.”
UGA Graduate and Producer of the Super Bowl Experience Lance Dennis said he had a similar job to the students at the second annual experience. Although the event has evolved, Dennis said the main goal has remained the same: giving back to the city hosting the Super Bowl.
“It takes 450 to 500 workers per shift, so I go each year and try to hire 75 to 80 college students who are getting their degrees in sport management or sport marketing. I pay them to come and work as managers, and they manage that force of temp workers,” Dennis said in the press release. “It gives them event and management experience. These crowds are massive; it’s like a game all day.”
Having been hired by the NFL is something Dennis said will look great to potential employers.
“I tell students to get involved in every opportunity they can. You never know what that will become down the road,” Dennis said. “I started out doing exactly what they’re doing. This has allowed me to travel and see places I’ve never been.”