The Kansas City Chiefs just won their third Super Bowl in five years. Patrick Mahomes was the MVP of the overtime victory. Taylor Swift kissed Travis Kelce.

And the four Neumann students who were there missed all the action.

Still, sport management majors Jacob Denton, Ryen Hawkey, Haley Price, and Anthony Sciotto got the experience of a lifetime earlier this month, working at Super Bowl LVIII on February 11.

They were selected by Living Sport, a company that offers opportunities for young adults to explore the world of sports careers and get professional experience through sporting events.

The four students jumped at the chance to work at the country’s most popular game (123 million people watched) and spent ten days in Las Vegas, Nevada, working and networking with sport professionals.

“It was so much fun. I loved it,” says Ryen Hawkey, a 20-year-old sophomore. “I had so many once-in-a-lifetime experiences. I had such a blast.”

Ryen Hawkey

Anthony Sciotto, also a sophomore, agrees. “I want to say it was a life-changing experience. I know that sounds like a cliche, but it changed how I feel about myself. I feel prepared now to take the next step.”

Anthony Sciotto

In the week leading up to the game, the students attended orientation programs with Living Sport, met with industry professionals, participated in networking sessions, and learned how to develop a brand.

Hawkey met a sports agent, representatives of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, celebrities, and people who worked in a variety of sports industry careers. Sciotto rubbed elbows with NFL players and representatives of NASCAR.

“On game day, we worked on the concourse,” Hawkey explained, “helping people find their seats and concession stands and bathrooms, answering questions about raffle tickets.” As a student captain, she didn’t watch the actual game but let the girls working in her section take peeks. They did watch the halftime show.

Sciotto was lucky enough to be positioned with a direct view of the Jumbotron. “During overtime,” he recalled, “there was nobody on the concourse. Everyone was focused on the game.”

Students woke up at 5 a.m. on Super Bowl Sunday, left for the stadium to get uniforms and credentials at 6 a.m., and worked at Allegiant Stadium from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Hawkey took full advantage of the weeklong networking possibilities. “I now have connections in California and Chicago and here in Philly. I was surprised by how many industry professionals are willing to help people in their 20s.”

Sciotto learned a similar lesson. “Always put yourself out there and take advantage of networking opportunities.” He now has contacts in New York, California, Wisconsin, and Idaho.

The Super Bowl opportunity came through Dr. Julie Lanzillo’s relationship with Alicia Marinelli, the founder and CEO of Living Sport. Lanzillo is the director of Neumann’s sport management and sport business programs.

Living Sport reviewed applications from across the country to select 50 students who invested in their career goals at the weeklong experience. Only Neumann sent more than one student to Las Vegas.