University of Tennessee Athletics
Carter, Worley Headed To Super Bowl
January 29, 2015 | Football
Big Orange takeover in AZ! pic.twitter.com/AJq9Feafc0
-- Big Orange Combine (@BOC_VOLS) January 28, 2015
By Brian Rice
UTSports.com
Justin Worley and Jacob Carter grew up with aspirations of going to the Super Bowl as part of their football careers.
Now, both will be at Super Bowl XLIX, not as players, but as members of the Big Orange Combine, an annual student project that sends University of Tennessee students to the NFL's biggest game each year to work behind the scenes and gain real-world experience. This is the ninth year a group from UT has been a part of the event.
Worley and Carter will join nine other students, including UT soccer player Allie Sirna, in a week-long experience that will culminate in working the NFL Experience and other events in and around University of Phoenix Stadium. Fellow football player Matt Darr was also scheduled for the trip, but was selected to play in the College Gridiron Showcase All-Star Game in Texas this weekend.
During the week in Arizona, the group will also meet with UT alumni in the area and tour the facilities of the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Phoenix Suns. They will have the opportunity to view NFL Network programming live and meet with Dan Hellie, a UT grad and host for NFLN.
"We have the opportunity to get some business experience for the biggest football game of the year," Worley said. "We're really fortunate to be a part of it."
The group will be led by Debbie Mackey, a senior lecturer and director of the Human Resource Management master's program, and Brian Russell, associate director of the Thornton Athletics Student Life Center.
The opportunity has Carter excited to see life beyond the gridiron while still being a part of football's biggest day.
"We've always been on the front side of football, being in the game," Carter said. "I think it will be good to see the behind-the scenes. It's a great opportunity."
Students went through an application process to be selected for the team. Students in the recreation and sport management department as well as majors in the business school were among the dozens to apply for a spot. The team was chosen by faculty after submitting resumes and recommendations. The team used Volstarter, the university's crowdfunding site, to raise money for travel.
"It's a great opportunity," Worley said. "It's going to be an awesome experience."
For updates on the team's action in Arizona, follow @BOC_VOLS on Twitter.
