Cadiz student Haley Dunlap helps bring Super Bowl LX to life

Haley Dunlap of Cadiz earned a rare behind-the-scenes opportunity at one of the biggest events in sports, joining a Slippery Rock University group that helped staff Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California.

Dunlap, a senior at SRU and a Harrison Central High School graduate, was one of eight students who worked as part of the event staff serving more than 90,000 fans attending the NFL’s marquee game at Levi’s Stadium.

“Being able to attend and work an event like the Super Bowl was honestly crazy and hard to put into words,” Dunlap said. “It was exciting, a little overwhelming at times, and just really amazing to see everything happening in real life. As a college student, being part of something that big felt surreal, and it made me proud to represent SRU at such a major event.”

The students partnered with On Location, an experiential hospitality company that supports major events, to help manage game-day fan experiences outside the stadium. Their duties included staffing premium tailgate areas, directing pedestrian flow and assisting with fan services and wayfinding.

“I benefited by getting real, hands-on experience instead of just learning about events in class,” Dunlap said. “I was able to help with fan services and wayfinding, which showed me what actually goes into making sure fans have a good experience. It also helped me feel more comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.”

The trip was led by SRU faculty members Brian Crow and Robertha Abney and served as a real-world extension of the university’s sport management program, which emphasizes the marketing, logistics and security needs required to host large-scale events.

Dunlap said she gained a new appreciation for how much coordination goes into events of that size.

“I learned that large-scale events require a huge amount of planning, communication, and teamwork,” she said. “Every small role matters when you’re managing thousands of fans. I also learned how important it is to stay adaptable and professional in a fast-paced environment where things can change quickly.”

That experience aligns directly with her goals after graduation.

“This experience prepares me for my career because I want to work in event management or operations,” Dunlap said. “Being at the Super Bowl showed me how one of the biggest events in the world is actually run. It helped me see how much organization, preparation, and teamwork are required to execute an event at that level. Having that firsthand exposure gave me confidence and a clearer picture of what working in event operations really looks like.”

After graduation, Dunlap said she plans to complete an internship to continue building experience in the sports industry, with an interest in event management or operations within collegiate sports or golf.

“I enjoy being part of live events and helping create memorable experiences for fans,” she said.

Dunlap also credited SRU’s sport management program for providing opportunities that connect classroom learning with real-world work.

“What I like most about the Sport Management major at SRU is the focus on experiential learning,” she said. “The program provides opportunities to work at major events like the Super Bowl, which allows students to apply what we learn in class to real situations. The support from professors and the connections to industry professionals make the program feel career-focused and hands-on.”

Other SRU students who worked at Super Bowl LX were Kylee Copley, Carley Dinsmore, Jonathan Wess, Delaney Ruth, Kaylee Smith, Calvin Tate and Josh Tedrick.