Several College of Business students witnessed sports history on February 12 as the Kansas City Chiefs won Super Bowl LVII against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The biggest night in U.S. sports was held in Glendale, Arizona, at the State Farm Stadium with 67,827 attendees. Event organizers brought in over 10,000 volunteers to ensure the game and halftime show ran seamlessly.
Among the volunteers was Missouri State University senior Emily Eigenmann and 15 fellow Bears. Eigenmann organized the student volunteer group from the Missouri State Entertainment Management Association (EMA).
“Not many people can say their university provided them the chance to volunteer at the Super Bowl,” Eigenmann said. “It was a crazy experience to see what goes into planning an event of this magnitude.”
Becoming a volunteer
In the fall semester, students draw names to see who will be attending. Upperclassmen get extra entries into the drawing, and all must be paying members of the EMA.
After the group members are confirmed, a coordinator from the National Football League plans their volunteer days so they can stick together.
EMA student leaders begin researching in the summer to find the best travel rates for their trip. But booking flights and lodgings posed difficulties this year for Eigenmann.
“The planning process was stressful, especially because we got a late start with booking flights,” Eigenmann said. “But being able to see the rest of the students attending the trip having a good time and being able to experience it myself helped make it all worth it.”
Gameday weekend
Students worked the Super Bowl Experience event the Saturday before the game. Eigenmann worked at a game station where fans could test their football throw while others staffed information areas and photo stations.
On gameday they had postings throughout the stadium. Eigenmann’s role was team captain and she guided media to their stations and assisted fellow volunteers and fans.
The group also toured Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks major league baseball team.
“I’m so grateful to Missouri State faculty and alumni for continuing to provide these opportunities and helping the program grow,” Eigenmann said. “I can’t wait to see what great things this program does in the future.”
Entertainment management students also volunteered at Super Bowl LIV in 2020 when the Chiefs won their first championship in 50 years against the San Fransico 49ers.
This is the 22nd year MSU students have volunteered at the “big game.”
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