Brittney Strauss ‘22 to Attend Super Bowl for International Sport Business Program
Katie DuBoff - November 3, 2021
Brittney Strauss ‘22 grew up surrounded by football.
“I have always been a huge football fan, along with my family,” she said. “The Super Bowl is my favorite sporting event. As a kid, I had every Super Bowl winner displayed in my room starting with the first one all the way to the last. I used to get so excited to add a new team to the wall every February. Even now, I spend every Sunday that I am home watching RedZone on the NFL Network with my family.”
When Super Bowl LVI takes place in February 2022, rather than watching the game on TV, she will be there in person as one of 21 college students/young adults in the country selected for the Living Sport International Sport Business Program.
“I learned about Living Sport through the Business Department Chair, Dr. Christine Hagedorn,” said Brittney. “Dr. Hagedorn came across this amazing opportunity and sent it to me knowing I would fully dive into this experience. I was nervous to apply at first because it is such a competitive program but like Wayne Gretzsky said, ‘You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.’ I knew I couldn’t miss an opportunity to be there live and experience the behind the scenes of the biggest game in the NFL.”
“The Power of Small means that we as faculty get to know our students' goals, interests and dreams,” said Christine Hagedorn, Assistant Professor and Discipline Coordinator, Business Department. “Brittney was brave to go for it and I admire her ‘can do’ spirit, which is what makes her successful in everything she tries. It can be easy for any of us, faculty or students, to hear of enormously exciting opportunities like this and only see the barriers to entry such as cost and steep competition. Part of what we try to do at Rosemont is to overcome barriers to entry and to instill in our students the confidence to say ‘yes’ to new adventures.”
For Brittney, a double major in Sports Governance and Political Science who aspires to be an athletic director, the Living Sport experience will directly help her on the path toward her career goals. While in Los Angeles, Brittney will have many career-building opportunities. She will tour Angels Stadium, Dodgers Stadium, Staples Center, and SoFi Stadium. Brittney will also meet with industry professionals in a wide range of fields.
“We will network and have resume workshops to prepare us for the future,” said Brittney. “During these 11 days, I will work directly with the Super Bowl staff for events leading up to the big game such as fan experiences, concerts, autograph sessions, and so much more.”
Brittney hopes sports will always be a big part of her life. She has played eight different sports growing up and three while at Rosemont – softball, soccer, and tennis.
“I have always been involved in sports,” she said. “I know that when my time being a student athlete ends, I could not walk away from the atmosphere that raised me to be the person I am today. Sports change lives, and the impact goes beyond just the field or court.”
“Embedded in our mission is the idea of dedication to academic excellence and fostering joy in the pursuit of knowledge,” said Professor Hagedorn. “Brittney is certainly exercising her Rosemont values in her embrace of this most joy-filled learning opportunity despite the unknown factors such as raising funds to afford the cost of living and transportation for this unpaid internship. The 2022 Super Bowl is going to be even more exciting to watch for our Rosemont community members since one of our own will be working there behind the scenes!”
Living Sport is a reimagined sport study abroad program that gives aspiring sport industry professionals the chance to receive international and domestic work experience and the opportunity to explore the world through sport. Led by sport industry professionals, the Sport Business Program by Living Sport was created to give passionate students and recent graduates an edge over the thousands of job seekers looking to secure a career in sports. Program participants will interact with sports business professionals creating a lasting network that extends far beyond the program.
“I am truly honored to be chosen for this and to represent Rosemont College at Superbowl LVI,” said Brittney. “It is one of the biggest dreams come true and something I didn’t even know was possible. This learning experience will make me stand out in conversations, be more knowledgeable about the industry, and allow me to be a more well-rounded person. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I will take in every second and remember this experience forever.”