News — Nine University of West Florida sport management students recently had the opportunity of a lifetime, traveling to San Antonio, Texas, to work the NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four. The students experienced firsthand the intricacies of organizing and running a major sporting event, working alongside Keep San Antonio Beautiful to promote sustainability during sporting events. They also connected with Steve Zito, assistant director of convention and sports facilities at the Alamodome, where the Final Four games took place, and a member of the UWF Sport Management Program advisory board.
“From my experience volunteering with the Final Four, I learned really how much planning goes into putting on this event,” said Lauren Andrusko, a senior sport management student. “This experience meant a lot to me because it was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness these games while volunteering and helping promote sustainability. To some it may seem so small, but our job was so big because it helped the environment and also helped the crew that had to flip the facility.”
This isn’t the first time UWF sport management students in UWF’s Lewis Bear Jr. College of Business have had opportunities like this. In February, eight students traveled to New Orleans, Louisiana, to volunteer at Super Bowl LIX. These students gained invaluable experience working behind the scenes at one of the world’s largest sporting events, while also networking with industry professionals and participating in high-impact learning practices.
“Getting the chance to attend and work the fan experience at this year’s Super Bowl with UWF was a dream come true,” said Javion Khan, sport management graduate student. “Being right in the middle of the action, helping create unforgettable moments for fans, made me realize how powerful those behind-the-scenes efforts really are. It taught me how much passion and teamwork it takes to make game day magic happen — and it made me even more excited about building a future in sports.”
The sport management program at UWF emphasizes experiential learning, encouraging students to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings. Participation in events like the March Madness tournament and the Super Bowl exemplifies the program’s commitment to preparing students for dynamic careers in the booming sports industry.
“I am so happy for the students, as this is a key learning opportunity where they can apply what they learn in the classroom in a real world setting — and on the biggest stage imaginable,” said Dr. Gil Fried, associate dean and professor in the Lewis Bear Jr. College of Business. “The students were also able to network, practice professionalism and enhance their skill set, which are all critical elements to landing their dream job in the sport space.”
For more information about sport management at UWF, visit .
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