The first Sunday in February will really be super for a student from UT’s Herbert College of Agriculture.
Senior Conlan Burbrink, a turfgrass science and management major, is trading the classroom for Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, site of Super Bowl LIV. While there, he’ll work with the stadium crew to prep and paint the field and assist with mowing. He’ll also provide support to set up for the halftime show and media day.
Out of a number of applicants, Burbrink was selected to be part of the Toro Super Bowl Sports Turf Training Program.
“It basically was a scholarship process, except instead of getting money you get a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work the Super Bowl,” he said.
Burbrink has never seen an NFL game in person.
“My first professional game is going to be the Super Bowl. I think that’s pretty ironic.”
Burbrink has already amassed an impressive resume. He has had internships in Orlando and London, including prepping a field in Britain for the Cricket World Cup. He’s also done research on soccer fields and how the ball reacts to different playing surfaces.
Burbrink, originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, will graduate in May and plans to attend graduate school.
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CONTACT:
Charles Denney (cmdenney@utk.edu)
Maddie Stephens (865-974-3993, msteph44@utk.edu)