Photo by: Michael Wong

As the Super Bowl approaches, we begin to see a line drawn between those rooting for the Ravens and those rooting for the 49ers. It is also a time during which most Americans come together to cheer on the men who battle with a football in hand and rigorous yards ahead of them.

Regardless of whom they are rooting for, six students at CMU have been granted the opportunity to go to this year’s Super Bowl game in New Orleans. This is the first year the Sports Management Club at CMU will be sending a selected group of members to the Super Bowl.

For one student in particular, Baur Jumayev, the game of football is a recently understood sport. Jumayev is an exchange student from Kazakhstan who has currently lived in America for four years.

“In my country nobody really pays attention to American football. My roommates influenced me to pay attention, and I even started playing Madden,” Jumayev said.

All six students are seniors and were chosen for their participation, fundraising efforts and experience. The trip involves more than just watching the game. The students will also assist with youth clinics, the Super Bowl trophy exhibit, event management and working the autograph stage. Helping with the autograph stage will give these students a chance to meet and greet the NFL players.

“At first my friends didn’t believe me, and when they brought up the Super Bowl game I would just be like, ‘Oh I’ll be there’,” President of Sports Management Club Dylan Vigil said.

All of the members going on the trip, including professor Richard Bell, will be working five hour shifts every day until the Friday before the game.

Club members are able to use this opportunity to gain further experience in sports management. The Super Bowl is the biggest sporting event in America, so having the chance to not only watch but also participate in it is a great benefit.

“As a girl in the sports management field I need a chance to prove myself. This is a way to get myself to stand out and really be unique,” Sierra Zamora said.

The Sports Management Club is hoping to make this a yearly opportunity for all of its senior members.