This year’s Super Bowl has yet to be played, but UNLV students and the university’s Sports Research and Innovation Initiative are winners already.
Among the hundreds of thousands of people visiting Phoenix this week for the big game and its related celebrations are four UNLV students — the latest team of interns to be embedded with the NFL through the work of SRII.
“This has been a great experience and made me want to pursue a career in sports even more,” says Super Bowl intern Leya Dagher, a senior majoring in political science. “It's the best feeling to access places and see every detail behind the event.”
Dagher and her fellow interns are involved in several ways, including assisting guests and staffing the fan-engagement lounge to promote next year’s Super Bowl in Las Vegas.
“These interns are preparing for careers in the sports industry, which is adding jobs at a much faster rate than the overall economy,” says Nancy Lough, director of the Intercollegiate and Professional Sport Management program. “And many of these opportunities will be available in Las Vegas, which is becoming the world’s sports and entertainment capital.”
Along with identifying and placing potential interns, the the UNLV initiative has raised more than $300,000 from the NFL Foundation, the Las Vegas Super Bowl Host Committee, and United Way of Southern Nevada to pay the student interns and fund the overall program.
“Our interns have had transformational experiences and made connections that otherwise would have taken years, if ever,” says Jay Vickers, SRII’s chief operations officer. “We can’t thank the host committee, United Way of Southern Nevada, and the NFL Foundation enough for their generosity and for their faith in our students.”
Vickers says fundraising continues in order to reach the goal of having 45 UNLV interns work with the Las Vegas Super Bowl Host Committee through next year’s Super Bowl. The program also supported six UNLV student interns at last week’s Pro Bowl Games at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Sam Joffray, president and CEO of the Las Vegas Super Bowl LVIII Host Committee, says he expects the interns to play important roles through the 2024 Super Bowl, which will require a large team to put on and a cadre of up to 10,000 local volunteers. The event is expected to generate $600 million in additional economic activity in Southern Nevada.
“We are fortunate to have great partners in UNLV and United Way to support the creation of this innovative internship program,” Joffray says. “Our shared belief is that providing students with real-world, event experience is not only valuable for the students, but it also enriches our organization with fresh perspectives and new ideas.
“And what better hands-on experience than Las Vegas’ first-ever Super Bowl?”
For United Way of Southern Nevada, supporting the internship program provides an opportunity “to partner with organizations that champion career-changing opportunities for young adults in our community,” says Julian High, the group’s president and CEO.
“We’re thrilled to work with the UNLV Sports Research and Innovation Initiative and the Las Vegas Super Bowl Host Committee to provide funding to this vital internship program,” High says.
About the UNLV Sports Research and Innovation Initiative
The Sports Research and Innovation Initiative supports Southern Nevada's booming sports economy by aligning university research and resources with the needs of leagues, teams, and other sports-related businesses.
SRII plans to begin accepting applications for the next group of interns. Interested students should monitor the initiative’s website for additional information.
