Dr. Scott Wysong

The Super Bowl is by far the biggest athletic event of the year. It is not only the most watched professional football game, but provides a full experience for attendees. The Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex will host that experience this year at the Dallas Cowboys stadium, when an anticipated 93,000 people gather for Super Bowl XLV.

With an expected attendance in the thousands, the University of Dallas won't be left out, and will take advantage of the event being held right in its backyard. "The Super Bowl is the chance of a lifetime for students to get involved. It's a great opportunity," said Dr. Scott Wysong, associate professor of management in the College of Business.

Dr. Wysong has been a member of the UD faculty for 10 years. He came to the University to teach marketing, but has grown to be an instrumental component of the Sports and Entertainment Management concentration since it began eight years ago. "The program is moving in the right direction," he says since it boasts 120 alumni and 30 current students. Students have also completed more than 100 projects for the Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Stars, so it goes without saying that practical, hands-on application is highly valued. The conferences and events that students are able to attend also offer professional exposure, and like the Super Bowl, can be great opportunities for networking, Wysong believes.

As a result of his involvement with the Super Bowl Committee in the area of volunteer research, UD sports and entertainment management students and alumni will comprise a portion of at least 10,000 volunteers at Super Bowl-related events. "The week leading up the Super Bowl is all about networking," notes Dr. Wysong. "Local fans start getting excited two weeks out."

For any city that hosts the Super Bowl, advantages and lasting effects are to be expected. One of the first things mentioned by Dr. Wysong is the huge economic impact the event will have on DFW and its businesses. The number of events coupled with celebrities and professional athletes in town are sure to generate revenue and crowds seeing that most people that travel to the Super Bowl don't go to the game, he says.

The metro area will be a "marketing mecca" during Super Bowl week because companies have the opportunity to market their products through various events and promotions. Additionally, major media outlets, such as ESPN, will broadcast in areas that will provide great images and backdrops of Dallas and Fort Worth. Dr. Wysong believes that the newly built Dallas Cowboys stadium is a draw for bringing major events such as Super Bowl 2011, the 2010 NBA All-Star game and the NCAA Final Four tournament in 2014 to the region.

Successfully hosting the Super Bowl will make Dallas look good, he says. "This will be the biggest, greatest Super Bowl ever."

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