While most football fans spent the week planning their food spread for Super Bowl Sunday, more than 50 business students, faculty and staff from The University of Southern Mississippi were in the heart of the action—working behind the scenes at the biggest sporting event of the year: Super Bowl LIX.
Through a partnership with Allied Universal, a national leader in event security, these Golden Eagles gained real-world exposure to the sport management industry during the Super Bowl Experience before taking on crucial gameday roles inside the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, LA. This opportunity provided the students with invaluable professional experience and was organized as a major fundraiser to benefit the Southern Miss Sport Management Association (SMA). SMA is a student organization that provides educational, social and practical experiences for students pursuing careers in the sport industry.
“This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our students to see both pre-event and gameday event setup and operations of the Super Bowl,” said Dr. Chris Croft, associate professor of sport management, who was responsible for making this dream experience a reality. “It was an enormous amount of work for everyone involved, but it gave our students firsthand exposure to all aspects of one of the biggest sporting events in the world. It’s moments like these that show them what’s possible in their careers.”
Before hitting the ground in New Orleans, our participants spent months preparing by completing extensive security screenings, background checks, and specialized training in event management and security protocols.
Prior to taking their positions at the big game, the group spent four days working the Super Bowl Experience at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Known as the NFL’s immersive football festival, this event offers fans the chance to meet NFL players and legends, shop for exclusive gear at the NFL Shop, enjoy interactive games, and explore countless memorabilia displays featuring the Vince Lombardi Trophy and all 58 Super Bowl rings.
Southern Miss students served in various event management and security roles, including bag checks, guest hospitality and assisting in the oversight of interactive exhibits. Additionally, a dedicated team from the Southern Miss group took on the responsibility of scanning tickets for guest entry. Over the course of the four days, the group scanned an impressive 85,000 tickets—40,000 of which were scanned on Saturday alone, highlighting the scale and fast-paced nature of the operation.
When Super Bowl Sunday arrived, the students were ready. They worked in security positions throughout the Superdome, ensuring a smooth and safe experience for an arena full of fans. Their responsibilities ranged from directing guests to their seats to monitoring elevators—including VIP access points, where some caught glimpses of celebrities and high-profile attendees.
“Working the Super Bowl was an unforgettable experience, where we not only gained hands-on industry knowledge but also made lifelong memories together,” said Sarah Pazos, an undergraduate student in the sport management program who took advantage of the opportunity. “A huge thank you to the Sport Management Association and the College of Business and Economic Development for providing us with the opportunity to be a part of this incredible event!”
This level of experiential learning wouldn’t have been possible without Ryan McKeough, a two-time Southern Miss alumnus who earned both his undergraduate degree in sport management and an MBA from Southern Miss. Now serving as a regional manager for Allied Universal, McKeough worked with Dr. Croft to create this immersive opportunity for Southern Miss students.
“Allied Universal Event Services was thrilled to partner with the Sport Management program at The University of Southern Mississippi for Super Bowl LIX,” McKeough said. “As an alumnus of the program, I’m proud to give back and provide students with hands-on experience at a world-class event.”
In addition to the tireless work done by Dr. Croft, the success of this opportunity was also made possible thanks to Dr. Alison Hubbard, Dr. Sabrina Reed, Dr. Wei Wang, Dr. Marvin Bouillon, Brenda Tart and Alexis Cato, the dedicated faculty and staff who attended to support the group throughout the trip, providing guidance, supervision and logistical assistance.
While the bright lights of Super Bowl LIX have faded, the impact of this experience will last a lifetime. Students walked away with more than just a great story—they gained skills that set them apart in the competitive sports industry, expanded their professional networks and got an inside look at what it takes to manage a high-stakes event. These Golden Eagles proved that when opportunity calls, Southern Miss students are always ready for the big game—and ready for life.
