For Rowan University senior Julia V., experiential learning meant stepping into one of the biggest weeks in sports. A public relations major with a minor in sports communication and media, Julia traveled to California during Super Bowl week to assist with event operations and media activity surrounding the NFL’s biggest event.
Through a competitive selection process connected to her sports and entertainment event planning class, Julia joined a small group of Rowan students who volunteered with NFL Alumni and the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund organizations, helping to run three events and observe how large-scale sports media operations work behind the scenes.
In this life-on-film-inspired feature, Julia shares the story of her week through photos that capture what it was like to work behind the scenes during Super Bowl preparations.
Photo(s) 1: How Julia Earned the Opportunity to go to the Super Bowl as a Student
Julia (second from left) and her classmates pose with NFL Alumni Director of PR/Communications & Membership Engagement Emily Caniglia (left), who herself is also a Rowan University graduate.
Julia says the opportunity started in class.
“I took the sports and entertainment event planning class with Professor Masciangelo because I already knew I had a passion for event planning,” she says. “When she told us there was a chance to go to Super Bowl week, she made it clear it was a once in a lifetime opportunity and that you had to work hard to earn it.”
Work hard she did.
Julia embraced the semester-long planning project to showcase her skills and professionalism to help earn her spot. “We were working with PRSSA (Public Relations Student Society of America) to plan an event to support cystic fibrosis awareness and funding for research.” The yearly event honors Colette Bleistine, a Rowan PR graduate who died from cystic fibrosis in 2012, shortly after her graduation.
Julia and her classmates applied skillsets developed in class to deepen their professional savvy with organizing special events, including finding venues, identifying sponsorships and developing social media content strategy. “We had a logistics team, a fundraising team and a publicity team,” she shares.
The students’ work for the Field of Hope cystic fibrosis event mirrored what the professional expectations for them would be if they attended the Super Bowl. There, students would support events for two nonprofit organizations, NFL Alumni and Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund, that both offer assistance to retired NFL players.
After applying for the trip and proving her dedication through her in-class experiential learning opportunity, Julia was going to San Francisco during Super Bowl week.
“Only a few students were selected,” she says. “When I found out I was one of them, I was really excited. I was pumped.”
Six Rowan students ultimately made the trip.
“I was actually the only PR major there,” Julia says, sharing that her five student travel companions were all sports communication and media majors. “Everyone else was from another professor’s class, so I didn’t know anyone at first. But by the end we were all really close.”
Photo(s) 2: Working the Gridiron Greats “Cigars with the Stars” Event
One of Julia’s biggest responsibilities came at a charity event by Gridiron Greats, hosted by board of directors members and retired NFL players Mike Golic Sr. and Brian Urlacher. A few of the students swelled with hometown pride, as Golic spent the majority of his years in the NFL as a defensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles, the home team in Rowan’s area.
“We worked the ‘Cigars with the Stars’ event,” Julia explains. “My job was helping run the silent auction.”
She and another Rowan student helped to manage the auction table, monitor memorabilia and assist guests placing bids.
“People would come up asking how to bid, and we’d explain everything. They had to scan a QR code and register to participate,” she says. “We were also making sure the auction items stayed organized and on the tables.”
“We had a meeting the week before and they told us what we were going to be doing,” she says. “Everyone had different jobs. Some people were doing roll call, setting up the event, checking people in or working the coat rack. We were also working with the NFL Alumni cheerleaders as well, so it wasn’t just the Rowan students helping.”
Julia says the experience showed her how many small details go into running a professional event.
“My mindset going into every situation was basically: ‘How can I make this person’s job easier?’, referring to the Gridiron Greats team. “If someone needed help, I wanted to be the person who could step in.”
Photo(s) 3: What It’s Like Inside the Media Center at the Super Bowl
One of Julia’s favorite moments was visiting Media Row within the Media Center, where journalists and broadcasters from around the world gather to interview players and celebrities during Super Bowl week.
“It was basically a huge convention center filled with media stations,” she says. “Everywhere you looked, someone was getting interviewed.”
Media companies such as sports networks, podcasts and digital outlets set up booths across the floor.
“There were cameras everywhere,” Julia says. “Members of the media have a mission, an agenda where they need to get specific people so that they can interview them. NFL professionals and celebrities are walking around, through media row, and media would literally walk up to someone to grab them by saying, ‘Can I ask you a few questions?’ and start interviewing them right there.”
Although the Rowan students mainly observed, the experience gave Julia a new perspective on the industry.
“It was amazing to watch everyone work,” she says. “You could see how much coordination and preparation goes into every interview.”
She also loved seeing how excited her classmates were.
“Some of the students with me are huge sports fans,” Julia says. “Watching their faces light up was honestly one of my favorite parts.”
No Photo: A Surprise Networking Moment on the Plane
The networking started before Julia even arrived.
On the flight to California, she struck up a conversation with the person sitting next to her.
“We were just talking casually,” she says. “He asked where I went to school and what I was studying.”
When the conversation ended, he handed her his business card.
“Turns out he was the vice president of marketing for the Philadelphia Eagles,” she says.
“When I saw the title, I was like ‘Wow,’” Julia says. “It was one of those moments where you realize opportunities can happen anywhere.”
She immediately texted her mom.
“I think she almost cried,” Julia says.
Photo(s) 4: Exploring the NFL Experience
Because the students were volunteering with NFL Alumni, they also received passes to the NFL Experience, a fan event celebrating the history of the league.
“It was almost like a museum,” Julia says. “They had displays from every Super Bowl, interactive games and different activations.” (Activations are active, hands-on experiences that offer engagement with brands.)
“My mom’s an Eagles fan. My dad’s a Giants fan, so it kind of goes all over the place in my house,” Julia explains, sharing this display featuring Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley and New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart.
Fans could meet players, try football challenges and take photos with memorabilia.
“We even had the chance to see the Super Bowl trophy,” she says. “The city was packed with fans from everywhere.”
Julia used the opportunity to pick up gifts for her family.
“I bought some things for my parents at the NFL Shop,” she says. “It was just really cool to experience everything.”
“After the NFL Experience we were asked to help stock party favor bags for the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund. I didn’t get any clips of that. We went straight there after this picture was taken. I figured I would just throw a selfie in there, because why not?,” Julia shares.
Photo 5: Seeing Event Planning Come Together
Julia also documented the venue before the Gridiron Greats “Cigars with the Stars” event began. If you look at the clock, you can see that it’s five minutes to 6:00, when the doors would open to guests.
“This was the entrance where the red carpet was,” she says. “Inside was the auction and the band. Outside was the cigar section.”
Seeing the venue before and after setup helped her understand the work that happens behind the scenes when sports communication and public relations staff plan, set up and run a large-scale special event.
“When we first saw it, it was just the space,” she says. “Then the event team came in and completely transformed it with lighting and decorations.
“It looked beautiful once everything was ready. We got compliments nonstop the entire night about how beautiful everything was,” Julia says.
What Julia Learned from the Experience
For Julia, the trip wasn’t just about football. It was about professional growth.
“I’ve never really been thrown into a situation like that before. Usually I like to plan things way in advance,” she explains.
Being placed in a fast-moving environment helped her develop confidence.
“I think the biggest thing I’m taking away is confidence,” Julia says. “You’re meeting new people constantly and learning how to handle yourself professionally.”
The experience also helped her learn more about herself.
“Being in such a big city environment made me realize that maybe the fast-paced city life isn’t exactly what I want long term,” she says.
Still, she says the trip reinforced her passion for event planning.
“This experience showed me how exciting this field can be.” Julia knows in her heart, “This is something I’ll remember for the rest of my life,” she says. “It really showed me what’s possible.”
About Rowan’s Public Relations Major
Students studying public relations learn the theories and develop the skills necessary to build brands, tell compelling stories and manage communication between organizations and their target publics.
Students learn how to craft messages that connect with audiences across media platforms while developing the strategy and leadership skills needed in tomorrow’s communications careers. Coursework blends topics such as writing, digital media, research, public opinion, campaign planning and event management.
Hands-on experiences are central to the program. Through internships, student organizations and client-based projects embedded into courses and academic extracurriculars, students build professional portfolios and industry connections. Graduates pursue careers in corporate communications, public relations agencies, sports communications, nonprofit organizations and media.
About Rowan’s Sports Communication & Media Major
One of the largest degree programs of its kind in the country, Rowan University’s Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Sports Communication & Media prepares students to work in the fast-growing world where sports, media and storytelling converge.
The program explores how teams, athletes and organizations connect with fans through journalism, public relations, broadcasting, digital media and live events. Students learn both the creative and the strategic sides of sports communication, while gaining practical experience producing content and covering sports.
Students gain hands-on experience through media production, event work and internships in the sports industry. Graduates pursue careers in sports media, team communications, athletic marketing, sports event management and digital content creation.
Internship & Experiential Learning Stories
Learn how Rowan Profs go beyond the classroom to grow professionally, as well as personally, through internships and other experiential learning. Experiential learning includes hands-on learning opportunities provided through research, student clubs, campus leadership, student worker jobs, service-learning projects and volunteerism. In addition, Rowan’s Career and Professional Development Services Office provides career support that’s more than just advice – it’s events, connections and real guidance to help students thrive after college.
About Rowan
Since its founding in 1923, Rowan University has evolved from a teacher preparation college to a public research institution ranked among the top 100 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Rowan University offers bachelor’s through doctoral degrees and professional certificates in person and online to nearly 25,000 students through its main campus in Glassboro and its eight other locations in southern New Jersey. Rowan focuses on practical research at the intersection of health care, engineering, science and business, while ensuring excellence in undergraduate education. The University has earned national recognition for innovation; commitment to high-quality, affordable education; and the development of public-private partnerships. A Carnegie-classified R2 (high research activity) institution, Rowan is the fastest-growing public research university in the Northeast and among the nation’s top 10 fastest-growing, as reported by The Chronicle of Higher Education. In 2025, Rowan opened New Jersey’s only veterinary school and is one of only two universities in the nation to offer M.D., D.O., and D.V.M. medical degrees.