A group of Shenandoah University students gained valuable hands-on experience in sport management when they traveled to Miami for the Orange Bowl, which served as the College Football Playoff semifinal between Notre Dame and Penn State on Jan. 9.
Shenandoah students had the opportunity to work directly with John Mas, senior vice president for partnerships for the Orange Bowl. Their game-day responsibilities included managing the 50/50 raffle, which raised over $80,000 for Orange Bowl Cares. Additionally, students assisted with setup for the Orange Bowl Fan Fest, which took place before kickoff. As part of their experience, they were granted field access and a tour of Hard Rock Stadium.
Students who participated in this experiential learning trip included:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 
- Kassidy Collins '28
- Janelle Anderson '25
- Conner Long '27Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
- Christian Francis '28
- Matt Shakley '26
- Drake Keckley '25
The trip was led by Fritz Polite, Ph.D., director of academic success and experiential learning for Shenandoah University's men's basketball program, along with assistant men's basketball coach Avery White '21.
"This was an extraordinary opportunity for our students to showcase their skills and contribute to such a meaningful event. They not only gained hands-on experience but also demonstrated professionalism and dedication, making a lasting impression on the Orange Bowl team."
– Fritz Polite, Ph.D.
Experiential Learning at the Battle in Birmingham
Nearly three weeks before the Miami trip, Polite took SU men's basketball player Joshua Randolph '28 to Alabama for the Battle in Birmingham, a high-profile NCAA men's basketball showdown between Auburn and Purdue at Legacy Arena in the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex on Dec. 21.
Randolph worked directly with Russ Potts Productions, Inc., gaining real-world experience in managing luxury suites, skyboxes, and team operations. His responsibilities included overseeing locker room logistics and coordinating the pregame shootaround, according to Shenandoah men's basketball coach Nick Doyle.     
The game was played before a sellout crowd of over 17,000 fans.
"This experience not only showcased the value of experiential learning but also highlighted the importance of practical skills in high-pressure environments."
– Nick Doyle, Shenandoah Men's Basketball Coach
Both events provided Shenandoah University students with valuable industry experience, preparing them for future careers in sports management and operations.
