Hospitality students gain hands-on experience at Super Bowl LIX

About  two dozen FIU Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management students are back on campus after spending the weekend adding Super Bowl LIX to their resumes. Most of the students, who are studying mega event or hospitality management, arrived in New Orleans last Thursday to pick up their uniforms and undergo training to work at both the Super Bowl Experience and Super Bowl Sunday. Many were ready to put the skills they learned at the Chaplin School into practice.

“It’s an amazing experience to be part of the behind-the-scenes action at the big game,” said Aruzhan Toluebay, a master’s degree student studying hospitality with a concentration in mega events. “I’ve learned a lot about adaptability and quick problem solving and adjusting to challenges, to think fast to find solutions,” she added.

Aruzhan Toluebay (left) with other FIU Hospitality students Cindy Flor and Larry Salzedo (right) at the Super Bowl Experience

Toluebay worked event support at both the Super Bowl Experience and NFL events on game day. Other students worked alongside the Super Bowl Host Committee.

For alumnus Ian Antosek of Bloomfield, New Jersey, it’s his second year at the Super Bowl. Returning as a graduate of the Chaplin School has resulted in a different level of confidence and responsibility.

“I'm applying what I’ve learned at FIU to my positions to try and make memorable experiences and connections this year,” said Antosek, who graduated in December.

Ian Antosek is back at the Super Bowl as an FIU alumnus.

“Lessons I have learned from FIU's Mega Event Management Program are that they taught me the logistics of large-scale events, inside and out, along with the opportunity to be a part of one of the biggest events in the world in back to back years, and see how things are done on such a large scale,“ he added.

Antosek describes the experience as both exciting and rewarding, and adds that the behind-the-scenes operations make it an “unforgettable next-level experience.” He currently works part-time for the New York Giants, Knicks and Rangers and for the New Jersey Devils. He's also worked at the Video Music Awards.

FIU Hospitality students share a selfie with singer Post Malone.

Besides the resume boost, the students also got in some celebrity sightings, like meeting singer Post Malone, NFL players like Damar Hamlin and Jason Kelce’s wife Kylie.

Advice from Antosek to students today: “Take every opportunity you can to gain hands-on experience and network as much as possible. Also, be willing to take on any role to learn the industry and never say no to something you are being asked of even if it may not seem too glamorous or rewarding, everything helps build your resume and connections and I am still working on that myself!”