Shenandoah University Students Gain From Hands-On Orange Bowl Experience
Students assisted in game-day operations during recent trips to Miami and the Battle in Birmingham
A group of Shenandoah University students gained some hands-on professional experience in sport management when they traveled to Miami for the Orange Bowl, which served as the College Football Playoff semifinal game between Notre Dame and Penn State on Jan. 9.
The game, which was played in Hard Rock Stadium, provided Shenandoah’s students with the opportunity to work directly with John Mas, senior vice president for partnerships for the Orange Bowl. Their game-day responsibilities included managing the 50/50 raffle, which raised over $80,000 for the Orange Bowl Cares. Students also assisted with setup for the Orange Bowl Fan Fest, which took place prior to kickoff, and they were given field access and a tour of Hard Rock Stadium.
Shenandoah students who participated in the experiential learning trip included Kassidy Collins ’28, Janelle Anderson ’25, Conner Long ’27, Christian Francis ’28, Matt Shakley ’26 and Drake Keckley ’25. The trip was led by Fritz Polite, Ph.D., director of academic success and experiential learning for Shenandoah University’s men’s basketball program, and assistant men’s basketball coach Avery White ’21.
This was an extraordinary opportunity for our students to showcase their skills and contribute to such a meaningful event. They not only gained hands-on experience but also demonstrated professionalism and dedication that made a lasting impression on the Orange Bowl team.”
Fritz Polite, Ph.D., director of academic success and experiential learning for Shenandoah University’s men’s basketball program
Nearly three weeks before the Miami trip, Polite took SU men’s basketball player Joshua Randolph ’28 to Alabama for the Battle in Birmingham, a high-profile NCAA men’s basketball showdown between Auburn and Purdue at Legacy Arena in the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex on Dec. 21.
Randolph worked directly with Russ Potts Productions, Inc. and gained real-world experience managing luxury suites, skyboxes and team operations, including the oversight of locker room logistics and coordination of the pregame shootaround, according to Shenandoah men’s basketball coach Nick Doyle.
The game was played in front of a sellout crowd of over 17,000.
“This experience not only showcased the value of experiential learning but also highlighted the importance of practical skills in high-pressure environments,” Doyle said.
