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ÂÒÂ×ÊÓÆµ students experience immersive learning at Super Bowl LX

Published: 02/16/2026

A group of ÂÒÂ×ÊÓÆµ Students pose at the fan services station outside of the Super Bowl LX arena

At Gannon University, students in sports business and marketing can apply what they learn in the classroom to premiere sporting events. That was no different this winter, when students and faculty members worked together at the NFL Super Bowl LX in San Francisco, California.  

The crew from ÂÒÂ×ÊÓÆµ departed Erie on Wednesday, Feb. 4, and returned on Wednesday, Feb. 11 after a week full of networking, immersive learning, sightseeing and football.  

This is the seventh year Eric Brownlee, Ph.D., chair of the Marketing Entrepreneurship and Sports Business department at Gannon University, and Jinhee Yoo, Ph.D., associate professor of sport management and marketing, have coordinated this experience for students. The purpose of this trip is to provide students with hands-on involvement in various aspects of the sports industry, such as event management, marketing, sports media, hospitality and business operations. Of the 60 students who applied this year, only 20 were selected to attend.  

“Attending the Super Bowl is transformative for our students,” said Brownlee. “At ÂÒÂ×ÊÓÆµ, we take pride in providing this opportunity for them to be in the center of the industry where they can network, gain real-world experience and practice collaborative strategy to support one of the world’s largest sporting events.”  

“Students were immersed in the fast-paced operations surrounding the Super Bowl and engaged directly with sport industry professionals,” said Yoo. “This exposure provides valuable insight into careers in the sport industry and helps students build and expand their professional networks.”  

The students worked at the NFL Experience, an event for all ages with football-themed activities, photo opportunities and more during the week leading up to the big game. On gameday, Sunday, Feb. 8, students worked fan service stations through the early afternoon before settling in to enjoy the game.  

“The Super Bowl was an unbelieveable and unforgettable experience,” said junior marketing major Jordyn Seidler. “Being there for the first time really opened my eyes to how much planning and coordination goes into such a massive worldwide event. The experience gave me a new perspective on how brands connect with audiences.”  

 During the trip, the group also toured Tech CU Arena, home of the San Jose Sharks and Barracudas NHL and AHL teams, and attended a Golden State Warriors basketball game. Amid their busy schedules, the students also had some time for sightseeing at iconic bay-area locations, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, Alcatraz Prison and Muir Woods National Park.   

While football season has come to an end, the immersive opportunities are not over — another group of students from ÂÒÂ×ÊÓÆµ will be working at the NFL Draft in April as they continue to build a portfolio of real-world learning.