University of Tennessee Students Embark on Super Bowl Mission
Ten students from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, are set to gain once-in-a-lifetime experience by working behind the scenes at Super Bowl LX. The annual event, one of the most watched sporting spectacles globally, will take place on February 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. These students are part of UT’s Big Orange Combine, a unique experiential learning program celebrating its 11th year.
About the Big Orange Combine
The Big Orange Combine offers students invaluable opportunities to engage with professionals in business, sports, and marketing. By participating, students learn how these industries collaborate to create the fan experience and execute major events such as the Super Bowl. The program has become a cornerstone for those seeking careers in human resources, management, and sports business.
“I am excited to attend the Super Bowl to expand my network in the business world,” said Lucy Higgins of Chattanooga, Tennessee, a graduate student in management and human resources. “I am also excited about attending alongside friends that I have gained through my HR experiences and the Haslam College of Business’s management and human resources master’s program.”
Student Roster and Itinerary
The selected students will travel from Tennessee to California on February 4 and return on February 9. Their itinerary is packed with professional development activities, including a visit to Google’s headquarters, which was also featured in a previous Big Orange Combine trip in 2016. That year, students witnessed Peyton Manning’s final NFL victory, adding historical significance to the experience.
This year’s participants include:
- Natalie Caufman – Senior, human resource management, from Blacksburg, Virginia
- Sara Elder – Senior, human resource management, from Sellersburg, Indiana
- Emma Gallinger – Junior, marketing, from Cincinnati, Ohio
- Kiley Gambrel – Graduate student, management and human resources, from Middlesboro, Kentucky
- Lucy Higgins – Graduate student, management and human resources, from Chattanooga, Tennessee
- Mary McJunkins – Graduate student, management and human resources, from Shreveport, Louisiana
- Amanda Moon – Senior, human resource management, from Hoschton, Georgia
- Ellie Pollion – Graduate student, management and human resources, from Petoskey, Michigan
- Emily Totty – Graduate student, management and human resources, from Memphis, Tennessee
- Ethan Warrior – Graduate student, management and human resources, from Atlanta, Georgia
Faculty Leadership and Support
Debbie Mackey, a teaching professor of management and entrepreneurship at UT’s Haslam College of Business, serves as the faculty adviser for the Big Orange Combine. She also coordinates professional development for the college’s Master of Science in Management and Human Resources program. Mackey has been instrumental in guiding students through this program since its inception.
“This will be my 11th Super Bowl, and I still am energized to go and share this opportunity with students,” Mackey said. “From networking in the area, to hearing from professionals in the business, to visiting with alumni — all are amazing times. Game day is an intense, long day, but there is so much going on around the event for the students to experience.”
Real-World Experience in High-Stakes Environments
The Super Bowl offers students a rare chance to see the inner workings of a major sports event. From logistics to fan engagement, these experiences go far beyond the classroom. Students return with enhanced resumes, professional contacts, and a better understanding of how large-scale events come together.
With the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks set to clash in Super Bowl LX, the stakes are high both on and off the field. For UT students, the event marks not just a professional milestone, but a celebration of their academic journey and ambitions.
Looking to the Future
Programs like the Big Orange Combine highlight the importance of real-world learning and the value of university support in student career development. As the Haslam College of Business continues to offer immersive opportunities, more students are expected to benefit from these transformative experiences in the years ahead.
This article is inspired by content from Original Source. It has been rephrased for originality. Images are credited to the original source.
