The Big Orange Combine is a program run through the Haslam College of Business that allows for a carefully chosen, select number of students to travel to New Orleans in order to attend and work Super Bowl LIX. They will also be visiting various businesses in New Orleans and meeting industry professionals, some being alumni of the University of Tennessee.
This experience allows the students to expand their networks and build relationships that will help land them jobs after they graduate from UT. They will also have a once in a lifetime experience working for the National Football League during Super Bowl LIX.
The program was created in 2012 and has continued to flourish at UT ever since then.
Each year, money is raised to provide this to students free of charge. The money raised for the program goes toward airfare, lodging, transportation, meals and select networking opportunities.
This is the area where the program needs the most assistance. Thus far, the students have only raised a little over $5,000 of their $15,000 goal and have 30 days remaining to make up the difference.
While some experiences are given to the group by alumni in the area for free, much of what happens throughout the trip needs to be paid for and funded by the university. Any help is greatly appreciated by the faculty and students who work directly with the program.
It is very unique that students are provided with the opportunity to connect with UT alumni in fields related to sports or business. Students are then able to keep in touch with them and potentially create working relationships with those same people in the future.
“A large part of being in the cohort is strategizing and developing ways to fundraise and make money so that we’re able to move forward with this once in a lifetime experience,” Jada Walker, a senior sports management student with a minor in business administration, said.
Walker noted that since they are not actively in New Orleans for the Super Bowl, they must do everything they can to raise enough funds now so they will all be able to attend this trip for free.
The entire experience is built around the idea that students should create a network of individuals from many different backgrounds and career fields, which is why having business or sports students network with professionals in sports or event planning is so beneficial to their careers.
“Networking with industry professionals is a key component of the program,” Olivia Helms, a senior business analytics major, said. “The more connections we make, the more we can learn about the sports industry, and these relationships also help sustain and grow the program for future students.”
For a student like Walker, who hopes to become a director of football or basketball operations someday, this cohort is the perfect way to meet other students with similar interests and professionals in their fields and learn more about the background operations involved in professional sports.
The entire experience is an amazing way for these students to get involved in professional settings before entering the workforce and seeing everything that goes into a game day, especially the Super Bowl.
Although Big Orange Give has passed, there are still ways to help this program and donate so that the students can make the most of this experience.
More information about the program, fundraising updates and a place for donations can be found on their Volstarter website.
