Sport Management Club Heading to Super Bowl LIX

Ten members of the Sport Management Club at St. John Fisher University will have the business trip of a lifetime as volunteers at Super Bowl LIX on Sunday, Feb. 9.

Club Advisor Paul Hemingway, who also serves as the director of experiential learning and outreach for the program, brought the opportunity to the club in spring of 2024.

Club president Tiana Buttino said the club’s executive board quickly started budgeting, fundraising, planning, and organizing the trip to determine whether it was a possibility. They created an application process that included an interest form that was shared with over 100 club members last September. Once interest forms were received, Buttino and the executive board held 25 interviews.

Xander Ranc, club member, applied and said the process was smooth and seamless. “It was stress free, and obviously it was a very selective process. But the executive board was very transparent with the process and let everyone know the expectations for the candidates.”

Buttino said that this experience is one that the sport management program has definitely prepared the students to thrive in.

“Sport management classes are centered around teaching students how to work well with others, how to lead a diverse group of individuals, and how to take tangible skills and apply them to real life situations,” she said.

Club member Chloe Ward agreed. “I feel that this program has prepared me for this experience because of all my professors who have guided me along the way so far.”

During the Super Bowl, students will strive to acquire knowledge as much as possible. Buttino hopes to learn more about large-scale event coordination and gaining insight into sponsorships, broadcasting, media coverage, and athlete accommodations. Ward is eager to learn more about the events operations side of the professional sports industry, while Ranc is willing to attempt anything, noting, his main goal is diversifying his skill set while attending the big game.

This journey required substantial financing and planning, motivating the club to raise over $7,000 through its most successful Raffle Calendar fundraiser to date. The executive board also prepared a detailed and extensive special case presentation, which was presented to the Student Government Association’s Financial Committee. In addition, the club launched fundraisers at Chipotle and Panera Bread to benefit their cause.

The process also required students to go through a number of logistical steps including communicating with the host committee by creating NFL profiles, submitting paperwork for background checks, and attending virtual training sessions, all of which gave students a glimpse of the high-stakes environment of the Super Bowl.

Ward is grateful for the many invaluable experiences provided by the sport management program, all of which she said prepares students for these bigger opportunities. “I was able to help in the Women’s NCAA tournament in Albany last March. I believe that this experience has given me the confidence to pursue my career and all other opportunities that will do the same.”

Ranc agreed, noting his experience working for the PGA Championship, Dawson Knox Training Camp, and March Madness. He is also grateful for Hemingway’s support and connections.

“Our lecturers have underlined the value of networking during my three years at Fisher. Paul’s career has spanned several sports, teams, and leagues, and he has made numerous beneficial relationships along the way,” he added.

As for who they will be rooting for, a majority of the population of Fisher students are Buffalo Bills fans. With the upsetting defeat handed to them by the Kansas City Chiefs during the AFC Championship, Ward said she is now cheering for the Philadelphia Eagles. Ranc, on the other hand, is rooting for the Chiefs.

“It’s going to be unpopular, but I’m rooting for the Chiefs. I’m a massive Giants fan, so obviously not used to a lot of playoff success, I need someone to cheer for,” he said.

The University’s Instagram account (@sjfuniversity) will track the group’s activity during the main event.