10 Niagara University students score 'Super Sunday' experience

By Niagara University 

Ten students from Niagara University’s College of Hospitality, Sport, and Tourism Management will see what goes into organizing one of the world’s largest sporting events as they work behind the scenes at Super Bowl LVIII for a one-of-a-kind experiential learning opportunity.

The students will also be an integral part of a series of celebratory events and activities leading up to the NFL’s showcase event on Feb. 11 as they help bring the “Super Bowl Experience” to life while simultaneously learning the skills needed to host and execute a major hospitality, sport and tourism event.

"Niagara University is proud and honored to be part of Super Bowl LVIII and thrilled to provide this experience to undergraduate and graduate students from the college's three academic programs,” said Bridget Niland, dean of the college. “Opportunities such as this demonstrate the interconnectedness between the hospitality, sport and tourism industries, and the value of students experiencing work opportunities that involve all three." 

The students will leave Wednesday, Feb. 7, for Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, where the Kansas City Chiefs will take on the San Francisco 49ers on Super Bowl Sunday. On the days leading up to the big game, the students will tour the facility, attend a panel discussion with various sport industry leaders, and meet students from other colleges who are also participating in the Super Bowl immersion program, which is sponsored by the Las Vegas Super Bowl LVIII Host Committee in partnership with the National Football League and local and national stakeholders.

As part of this program, the students will participate in a variety of tasks at the “Super Bowl Experience” presented by Toyota at the Mandalay Bay South Convention Center, gaining a first-hand look at what it takes to organize the events and activities featured during this multi-day festival. On game day, the students will activate the fans through games and activities as they enter the stadium.

The next day, the students will tour T-Mobile Arena, the home rink of the Las Vegas Golden Knights, with Niagara University alumnus Christian Glowinski, ’07, director of facilities, before heading back to Niagara on Tuesday, Feb. 13. 

Participating students include:

√ Seniors Jack Gelder (East Amherst), Rob Reszel (Grand Island), Zahir Greene (Rochester), Isabella Chapman (Madison Township, Pennsylvania), Jack Armstrong (Huntsville, Ontario) and Kevin Kershner (Brewerton)

√ Juniors Dominic Lewis (Amherst) and Alexander Gardon (Buffalo)

√ Sophomore Sydney Hughes (Niagara Falls, Ontario)

√ Graduate student Katelyn Szefler (Depew)

The students submitted resumes, cover letters, and had an in-person interview before being selected for one of the 10 coveted spots.

Onsite service-learning experiences are offered regularly by NU’s College of Hospitality, Sport, and Tourism Management. For example, sport management students have volunteered during Major League Baseball’s spring training and the NCAA Final Four.

Niagara University offers undergraduate degrees in hotel and restaurant management, sport and recreation management, and tourism and event management. In addition, an M.S. in sport management is also offered to better prepare graduates for careers in the increasingly competitive sport and recreation industry.