Latest news with #EricBrownlee
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Gannon students arrive in New Orleans for once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
At Gannon University, a big draw for prospective students interested in a career in sports management has been the program's annual Super Bowl trip. Something that's been part of the program each of the last six years. 'I mean, it's awesome. Like, I don't think not a lot of colleges do this. So, again, it's one it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I am so excited that I get to do thanks to Gannon,' said Sylvia Hower, a Gannon student. For 31 students at Gannon University – they've made their way to New Orleans for the NFL's biggest stage all season – Super Bowl 59. Department head Dr. Eric Brownlee has been an integral part of getting students prepared for career opportunities in their field – and what better experience in 2025 than a trip to New Orleans for the biggest game of the year? 'It's incredibly exciting. And I know when we talk to high school students, they're all excited about it. And I know the past few years since we've been kind of doing this for a while, I've had some high school teachers reach out to me and basically say that their students are interested in and learning more about it and it's been it's been great,' said Dr. Eric Brownlee. While taking in the big game is exciting in itself – there's a lot to be gained for students in hoping to network and gain valuable, credible experience in their field up until and through gameday. 'I do know that it is related to the operations of the stadium during the game, which is going to be a, you know, a very different direction from last time for me. So I'm really excited to see what that looks like. Maybe, you know, who knows who will see there,' said Francisco Palacian. For some Gannon Univeristy students in the sports management program, it'll be their first trip and experience at the Super Bowl for others? They've been there and done that. 'I think going to a different city, seeing how the city can handle it, seeing how they adapt to the change. I think that's the biggest thing I've really enjoyed seeing. How the prices are going to increase from one city to another, how things are going to change, like how you can see what we learn in the classroom actually affecting a large-scale event like the Super Bowl,' said Noah Hawryliw. Everyone will have their teams or players they want to see or cheer on when game day arrives. For student Kira Rios, her rooting interest in the big game lies within her close relationship to her grandmother. Her grandma, who has since passed away, supported her beloved Chiefs and also her granddaughter's journey to two previous Super Bowls in Los Angeles and Arizona. 'It was still a memory for us. We were on the phone for an hour before my shift started and she's like, wow you're actually there, you get to experience this. And I'm like, yeah, I'm here for you and then I was just I was just so happy to share that experience with her and live through it with her,' said Kira Rios. For each of the students – they'll take away something different but in the end, Dr. Brownlee said it's one they'll always share and remember fondly. 'For them to just see this the size and scope of the Super Bowl and just everything that it is, it's such a great experience that they never forget,' Brownlee went on to say. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Gannon students depart for Super Bowl 59
Local students are heading to the Super Bowl and hoping to score a touchdown with some networking opportunities. One local university is sending 15 students down to New Orleans for a special Super Bowl experience. On Tuesday morning those students left Gannon University by bus heading to the big game. The students will be working at The NFL Experience, the purpose of the trip is to give students an immersive learning experience with hands-on involvement in various aspects of the sports industry. This is the sixth year professors have coordinated the trip. 'I think the biggest thing that they gain is the networking and basically meeting people from a variety of industries we have a lot of different majors going. like of course we have sports business majors, we also have physical therapy students, chemistry students a variety of majors and you never know who you are going to meet there. You might meet someone from a pharmaseudiacal company from a major corporation or just in general a celebrity someone else,' said Eric Brownlee, Ph.D., professor of sports management & marketing. JET 24 Sports Director Mike Fenner will have the full story during JET 24 Action News at 5 and 6 p.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
