Today we volunteered at the Direct TV Celebrity Beach Bowl. We had students volunteering in VIP Hospitality and Talent Management. It was a great experience for us students to see the amount of work and people it takes to pull off an event the size of this one. It was a long day for us. We worked from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and had plenty of responsibilities to help out the staff and make the event a success. One of our many responsibilities was to set up the hydration and bench areas for the celebrities playing in the game. After the football game we got to stay for the Pitbull concert. After we got off work we headed back to the hotel to relax for a bit before heading to dinner. We had dinner at the Red Zone again and it was a great dinner. We all talked about our experiences this weekend and the things we learned from the events we worked.

Dr. Shaw on the event today:

“Today, SU students participated in their first ever “Beach Bowl”.  The event is sponsored by DirecTV, and is an entertainment piece associated with the Super Bowl.  Students filled a variety of roles associated with the event.  With only a minor “bump”, today was another set of experiences with a “mega-event” that gave students a different view of sport and entertainment.”

Kelsey Ambrose on her experience today:

“Today was quite a once in a lifetime experience. I, along with two other volunteers, got the opportunity to work in the dressing room/lounge area of all of the celebrity players in the beach bowl. Our duties entailed keeping beverage bins full, as well as running a couple of errands here and there. The neatest part was that we were literally standing five to ten feet from big names such as Olympian Shawn Johnson, Lil Wayne, Michael Strahan, Neil Patrick Harris, and many more. The event planning and management seemed to be quite a chaotic job as we witnessed today, but the overall experience cannot be described as any less than amazing.”

Cody Moles on the trip as a whole:

“This was a great opportunity for us. It was a learning experience for all of us. We got real world experiences from volunteering this weekend. The biggest thing we got to see was all the facets it takes to pull off such a huge event like the Super Bowl. I am glad that I was able to be a part of this trip and all of the experiences that we were able undergo. I speak on behalf of the group when I say we would like to thank Dr. Shaw for setting this up and all the experiences that we were able to be a part of. Without his hard work and dedication to our education as students we would not have had this opportunity to be a part of this event and learn all that we have this week. We would also like to thank Dr. Comuzzie for coming and being a part of this experience with us.”

Today was a very different day than yesterday. The experience was a different kind of experience for us. We worked the Chevron Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Experience. We worked different demonstrations that showed important things in these categories. The purpose of these demonstrations were to get the youth more interested in science and to refresh the knowledge of basic things for adults. On our lunch break we all triend a BBQ Gator Poboy. Everyone loved it! After our shift we did a little bit of walking around and taking in the city. We went to the French Quarter and walked around and explored there and then walked down Bourbon Street. After we did some site seeing we went to the Direct TV tent to go to a training event for the event that we are working tomorrow. After training we went to the Fan Shop at the NFL Experience and got some souvenirs. We even got to meet and take pictures with the guy from the Visa 49ers commercial where he is in the locker room and giving a pre-game speech. We had dinner at Texas Road House and had a great time and a great day!

Cody Moles on the day:

“I think that today was a great day. It was not the same type of experience that we had yesterday, but it was really good. I think that it was a good chance for us students to show  both the Chevron organizer and Dr. Shaw and Dr. Comuzzie the knowledge that we learn in our Exercise Science and other science classes.”

Dr. Shaw on the day:

“Today, Schreiner students were involved with a very different experience than yesterday.  SU students assisted Chevron with an interactive experience that reinforced the role of science, technology, engineering and math in sport (S.T.E.M.). SU students used elements related to football and general motion to illustrate principles of biomechanics, physics and motor learning.  The students were commended by the Chevron staff for both their expertise and their engagement with the public, which gave me a great sense of pride.  Today was long, but very rewarding!”

The day started early for us. We left the hotel at 8 to head into New Orleans. Our first stop was at the credential office so we could pick up credentials to work the events this week. After receiving our credentials we headed to the convention center where the NFL Experience was being held. Once we got to the convention center we picked up our uniforms and ate a quick lunch that  the NFL provided for the volunteers. We had Papa Johns pizza, chips, and Pepsi beverages. After lunch we were split up into groups and received our assignments of what games we were going to work for the day. Kelsey and Kelley worked the obstacle course. Here is what Kelley had to say about working the event, “Kelsey and I worked the obstacle course. Fans would run through obstacles that were set up and then catch a football that was shot out of a juggs machine.” Brooks worked a football game where fans would throw a ball and try and make them in targets. Austin, Gabby, Tim, and Cody all worked the field goal kicking game. Fans had an option of kicking a field goal from 10, 20, 30, and 40 yards out. Here is what Tim had to say about working this event, “It was a great opportunity to interact with the fans. We were in charge of getting the balls that the fans kicked and setting them back up so the next person could kick. It was just an awesome experience and I am just happy I am able to take part in this event.”

After our shift of working the NFL Experience we were invited to a Networking event that was being put on for Sport Management groups from schools volunteering at this event. The event was very informative and educational. The organizers had three professionals from the sports industry field talking to us and answering not only questions that organizers had prepared for them, but also the questions that we were able to ask them. They gave great advice to us as students who are about to go on to graduate school and attain our masters degree or start our professional careers in the sports industry. Here is what Kelsey had to say on this great experience, “The networking event was all around a great learning experience. I learned so much about the sports industry simply from the questions asked to the professionals. They really emphasized the importance of connections and internships in sport management. Summed up into one sentence, my favorite quote from  the conference was to not be afraid to start small and always stick with your dream.” Another thing that was emphasized at the networking event was getting to know the people in the room. The people there were not only our peers but they were our colleagues and you never know what connections you make here will benefit you in the future.

When the networking was over we went as a group to grab dinner at the food courts around the corner at he mall down the street. While we were eating the Super Bowl Roman Numerals were being delivered by a barge. When they reached their destination at the Super Bowl Boulevard there was a a huge fireworks display. After we all finished eating we headed back to the NFL Experience where we got to walk around and enjoy the  festivities and take in the entire event as fans. We got to play the games, take pictures with the Lombardi Trophy, see museum exhibits, shop at gift shops, and most importantly have fun.

“As a whole for today the NFL experience has been a great start…I was able to interact with the fans and see their excitement for the game. We were invited to a network session that was very beneficial to me as a senior exercise science major and the things I need to prepare for.” -Kelley Spahn

Here is what Dr. Shaw had to say about today:

“Today provided Schreiner students the opportunity to experience and understand the scope and magnitude of a “mega-event” like the Super Bowl.  Additionally, they were able to participate in a networking event  that was very informative.  Although the day was long, I think it was a great experience.”

We will get all the pictures from today uploaded and posted soon!

“I’m really excited for this group of students! The enthusiasm that they are showing (even at 6:30 am) makes me anxious for them to get started. Although the trip was long, I’m eager to travel into New Orleans tomorrow so that the Super Bowl experience can officially begin for these students and Schreiner University Sport Management and Exercise Science.”

- Barry Shaw

On the road to the Super Bowl

We departed campus at 6:30 this morning to head towards our destination. It was a fun trip up here. We made a couple of pit stops at gas stations before we stopped for lunch at a Whataburger in Beaumont, Texas. After we all finished our lunch we made a couple more pit stops for bathroom breaks and to gas up the van. We finally pulled into our hotel parking lot a little after 6 p.m. We got settled into our rooms then met downstairs to decide where we wanted to eat. The person working at the front desk suggested we try a restaurant called The Red Zone, which is down the road from our hotel. It was a great suggestion. It is kind of like a smaller hometown Applebees. The food was very good and the service was great. The nice lady named Cindy, who was our waitress, even brought us a dessert for us to split. After dinner we went back to the hotel to relax for the night before we head to our first day of volunteering tomorrow.

We are a group of Sport Management and Exercise Science majors from Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas. The purpose of this blog is to document our experiences while volunteering at Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans.