Seven sports communication and media (sports CaM) students traded their Eagles gear for professional attire in the days leading up to the Super Bowl, as they had the opportunity to work the annual Ditka & Jaws Cigars with the Stars party in New Orleans on Feb. 6 ahead of Super Bowl LIX.

The event helped raise money for charity and was spearheaded by Jaws Youth Playbook, the foundation of former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski, and the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund founded by Former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka and linebacker Brian Urlacher.

The students, members of Professor Alex Yoh’s Sport and Entertainment Event Planning Course, applied for the opportunity and were selected based on their resumes and work over the course of the semester. In addition to his role at Rowan, Yoh also serves as Vice President of Business Operations for the Delaware Blue Coats, the Philadelphia 76ers G-league affiliate. During Yoh’s class, students learned about the different facets of event planning.

“Students work on projects throughout the semester designed to assist the Jaws Youth Playbook in planning the event. These projects focus on venue selection, sponsor prospecting, marketing, and social media plan development, among other aspects,” said Yoh. “Our class work is actually sent to the staff of the Jaws Youth Playbook for their consideration and review.”

The Fall 2024 section of Yoh’s class was the first to work with Jaws Youth Playbook, which aims to provide local youth with access to healthy outlets and initiatives that promote well-being in the Philadelphia area. The Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund works to provide former NFL players with assistance regarding each player’s medical and housing needs, food resources, and child care services, among others.

The Fall 2024 section of Yoh’s class was the first to work with Jaws Youth Playbook, which aims to provide local youth with access to healthy outlets and initiatives that promote needs, food resources, and child care services, among others. 

While in New Orleans, the students completed a variety of tasks to ensure that the venue was ready for the event. 

“Students assisted the Jaws Youth Playbook in organizing event equipment and setting up the venue, as well as curating items for the popular silent auction,” Yoh said. “The group helped issue working and media credentials, installed sponsor signage and activations, staffed the Will Call window, and assisted event patrons in the hospitality areas.”

One of the students, Senior Sports CaM major Bailey Livezey, underscored the impact of community-based events in sports and how the trip to New Orleans furthered her career. 

“I’m truly so thankful for having the opportunity to learn and work at such a high level. This event not only brought so many individuals together but highlighted the impact of sports philanthropy. I gained hands-on experience in event planning, hospitality, and sponsor activation, which will be invaluable as I continue pursuing a career in sports communication and media,” said Livezey. “Experiences like this reinforce how valuable hands-on learning is in shaping a career.”

Senior Sports CaM and Radio, Television & Film (RTF) major Kerri Letizia echoed a similar sentiment. She was grateful for the experience as it gave her the opportunity to see what event planning requires in the industry.

“This opportunity is something people work their whole careers for, working for a Super Bowl party. To gain this experience is amazing because we worked as professionals, so we got a real look at what our careers could look like and the detail that goes into planning an event at such a high level,” Letizia said. “You don’t realize how much goes into planning an event until you have to plan it, and getting the experience gives you the hands-on experience to learn about all the details you don’t think about.

The Cigars with the Stars Event was not the only big event for Letizia while in New Orleans. The senior turned 21 on Feb. 3. 

“New Orleans has always been a place I wanted to go, even when I was very young, so to be there for my birthday and for a Super Bowl party was such a blessing,” Letizia said. “The entire trip was so much fun and a great experience.”

Aside from working the event, the students had a chance to explore New Orleans. Livezey remarked on how the Eagles’ Super Bowl appearance made the opportunity that much sweeter.

“The energy in NOLA [New Orleans, Louisiana] was unbelievable. Everywhere you walked, there were banners and team colors. The locals were so welcoming and made everyone feel like part of the celebration,” Livezey said. “Having my team, the Philadelphia Eagles, be in the Super Bowl made this experience even more surreal. I loved being able to interact and share the fandom with others while bonding over the love of the game.”

Letizia enjoyed the fan events and especially the opportunity to see the Vince Lombardi Trophy, which was awarded to the winner of the Super Bowl. 

“The group all went to the ‘Super Bowl Experience’ and we got to walk around, learn about the past of the Super Bowl, do physical activities like throwing footballs and running with the football,” Letizia said. “We also got to see the Vince Lombardi Trophy and take a picture with it.”

Yoh’s favorite memory from the trip was seeing the students in action. 

“I’ll distinctly remember walking around the venue once the doors opened and seeing each of our students engaged in each of their roles,” Yoh said. “A simple but rewarding thought: we are here, and we are working.”

As Livezey’s time at Rowan draws to a close, she advises others to take advantage of the resources and internships available to Rowan students that will make them career-ready. 

“I can’t stress enough how important it is to take hold of all the opportunities that come your way. I was given the opportunity to take over Rowan University’s Instagram stories, giving students a behind-the-scenes look at my day working the Cigars with the Stars event,” Livezey said. “It was an amazing experience to showcase the incredible opportunities available through Rowan and the Sports Communication & Media Program. You never know what experiences will open new doors and shape your career in ways you’ve never imagined.”

For comments/questions about this story DM us on Instagram @thewhitatrowan or email news@thewhitonline.com