The Big Game Bound: Centenary College Students Selected for Once in a Lifetime Learning Opportunity

HACKETTSTOWN, NJ--(Marketwired - Jan 29, 2014) - Centenary College's Assistant Professor of Sports Management, David Perricone, emphasizes the importance of experiential learning in his classroom. He charges his students with the task of running events and mandates some of his classes to shadow professionals in the Sports Management field. This year, his Event Management class can add concession management at the Sunday game at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., to its resumés.

Sixteen students and Professor Perricone will be managing one of the more than 40 stands at the game. All of these students have experience working two home games this season already.

This project will be a huge time commitment. Students must leave at 6 a.m. to be at the Stadium early and will not return home until probably 2 a.m. the following day. There will be four group leaders, and all will be responsible for stand inventory, cooking, sales and cash inventory. Over 80,000 people are expected to attend the game. It is the first time that the Big Game has ever been held in the Northeast.

"This opportunity will allow all of us to adapt to change," says Thomas Rayfield, a Centenary student. "We will all be required to think on our feet."

As part of this project, the students receive a stipend, plus commission that can be used for a college scholarship and a professional development opportunity. The students are currently working together to determine the best use of the funds, which includes the possibility of the group embarking on a trip.

Three Centenary students were also selected for pre-game hospitality-related assignments by the Super Bowl Host Committee. Cesar Storm, for example, will work as a greeter at the New York Marriott Marquis in Times Square during the days leading up to the Big Game.

"This is a good fit for me, as I aspire for a career in event planning," says Storm.

Founded in 1867 by the Newark Conference of the United Methodist Church, Centenary College's academic program integrates a solid liberal arts foundation with a strong career orientation. Centenary College's main campus is located in Hackettstown, N.J.

Documents and/or Photos available for this release:

Professor David Perricone (far left) with Some Students Who Will Be Managing a Concession Stand at the Big Game this Weekend

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