BEREA, Ohio — This Super Bowl Sunday, a streak is coming to an end. For the first time in almost a decade, Baldwin Wallace students won’t be working the big game.
“It was definitely the most exhausting week of my life, yet the most incredible experience,” says Baldwin Wallace sophomore, Celia Oswitch as she recounts last year’s Super Bowl. “That I will say until I’m blue in the face.”
Celia’s a sophomore in Baldwin Wallace’s Sport Management program. It’s a program that prides itself on getting students and club members real world hands on experience
“I always felt like experiential learning, where you have the students putting those applications to use while they’re still in school was important,” says Charles Campisi, the Department Chair of Marketing and Sport Management Department.
Their students have been helping out at major sporting events for years and have been working the big game since super bowl 47. This year, however, due to Covid-19 concerns, the school decided to end the streak.
Campisi says, “I had to meet with upper administration a few times. I was pushing pretty heavily, but we have to do what’s in the best interest of the students.”
While there’s definitely some disappointed students, missing not just the Super Bowl, but the NCAA Championship Game, Kentucky Derby and other events this past year, Campisi continues to plan ahead. They’ve been busy lining up events for 2021 and have even made room reservations for 2022.
“As of right now, we’re still planning to work the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament in Indianapolis,” says Oswitch.
Campisi says, “Obviously the NFL draft is coming to Cleveland here and we’re planning on heading out to LA. I already booked the hotel for Super Bowl 56.”
Students like Celia are certainly looking ahead to when they can again be an active participant in some of the countries biggest sporting events. However, this weekend, they’ll be watching the Super Bowl from home, but not exactly like everyone else.
“One of the biggest things that I notice is the ushers, the security and the individuals working in guests services,” says Oswitch. “I’ve been in all of those situations so I can’t even go to sporting event and relax and enjoy the game anymore.”
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