Ten students from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, will travel to Santa Clara, California, to work behind the scenes at one of the world’s largest athletic events — the Super Bowl.
The students are part of UT’s Big Orange Combine. Now in its 11th year, the program provides students opportunities to network with business, sports and marketing professionals, learning how those industries collaborate to orchestrate fan experiences and events leading up to game day.
“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.”
The trip will include a visit to Google headquarters, which was part of the Big Orange Combine itinerary in 2016. That year, the group also had the thrill of being present when Vols legend Peyton Manning won his final NFL game.
The New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks will face off in Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium on Feb. 8. The following students will depart for California on Feb. 4 and return Feb. 9:
Natalie Caufman of Blacksburg, Virginia, a senior studying human resource management
Sara Elder of Sellersburg, Indiana, a senior studying human resource management
Emma Galinger of Cincinnati, Ohio, a senior studying marketing
Kiley Gambrel of Middlesboro, Kentucky, a graduate student studying management and human resources
Lucy Higgins of Chattanooga, Tennessee, a graduate student studying management and human resources
Mary McJunkins of Shreveport, Louisiana, a graduate student studying management and human resources
Amanda Moon of Hoschton, Georgia, a senior studying human resource management
Ellie Pollion of Petoskey, Michigan, a graduate student studying management and human resources
Emily Totty of Memphis, Tennessee, a graduate student studying management and human resources
Ethan Warrior of Atlanta, Georgia, a graduate student studying management and human resources
Debbie Mackey, teaching professor of management and entrepreneurship in UT’s Haslam College of Business and professional development coordinator for the college’s Master of Science in Management and Human Resources program, has served as faculty adviser for the Big Orange Combine since its inception and will accompany the students to the event.
“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.”
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Stacy Estep (865-974-8304, sestep3@utk.edu)