Honeybees have always been a part of��Robinson’s��life��as she��first learned about beekeeping from family members who’ve cared for beehives through generations, starting with her��grandfather,��and��then her father.��Beehives bring nostalgic scents and sounds to��Robinson, whose earliest memories include following her grandfather around their family hives in Meade County, Ky., harvesting honey for their��“Bee Happy Farms”��honey jars.

“My grandfather had this big garden and orchard with apple trees, so he had the bees to pollinate them,”��Robinson said. “I��just��remember playing around the garden and being close to the bees. They��weren’t��ever interested in me because I��wasn’t��bothering them, so that fear��kind of��got eliminated when I was pretty young.”

After the death of Robinson’s��grandfather, her family kept a hive on his property to support the orchard. She and her father now tend to the inherited bees. “It’s��crazy that��it’s��a family tradition that can carry��on,��beyond someone like that,”��Robinson reflected.

The UofL’s beekeeping internship, too, has brought Robinson closer to her��father who she��now asks for advice when dealing with new obstacles facing��UofL’s��beehives. His insights keep a heritage of beekeeping knowledge from disappearing.

Everything about beekeeping can be done��in��a variety of��ways, from how the hive is��built and how to handle the bees to the protective clothing worn by beekeepers.��

“It’s��like��a dance to specifically move with the bees and see which frame��they’re��mostly on and which one I should touch and which one I��shouldn’t,”��Robinson said.

As a beekeeper, Robinson has developed her own style under the guidance of her father and the UofL Sustainability mentorship.��

“I��read somewhere that bees can remember their��beekeeper’s��face, so I always try��to��talk to them when I get in the hive and just see how��they’re��doing,”��Robinson said.��“There are old folktales about the��‘telling of the��bees,’ so��there’s��a strong connection between beekeepers and their bees.”

A Spring Sting

Beekeeping��isn’t��always comfortable,��even��for a legacy beekeeper.

“I��have gotten stung a few times, but after��the second��time��it’s��no big deal,”��Robinson said.��“And��every time I do��get stung, I never blame the bees.��It’s��not their fault that��they’re��stinging, they��just��think��I’m��like a bear trying to get their honey.”

Bees often face a fear from people, much like snakes or bats, and many believe that their presence always means potential danger. However, bees are defensive, not aggressive, so their sting is a last resort. Like other animals, bees fear humans more than people fear them and prefer keeping to themselves.��

According to Robinson, even with wasps and hive beetles, honeybees defend the hive by surrounding the pests to block them from an area or to overheat them with their wing movements.��

But keeping bees also��comes with its rewards and pleasures. To extract honey from the hive, Robinson first determines how much honey needs to��be left behind��for the bees. The frames are then removed,��and��the bees��are brushed��into an empty super box/hive box. Finally, the beeswax on the frames is uncapped with a blade to release the honey and the frames are placed in a spinner to remove, filter and jar the honey. Beeswax is often collected during the filtering process and can also��be used for various products like lip balm.

“One of my favorite things about beekeeping is just the smell of the��beehives,��it’s��this��really sweet��aroma. I think��it’s��really special��and really cool to introduce new people to that, and the sound of the buzzing from the hives,”��Robinson said.��“It can��definitely��be intimidating, but��I’ve��found it to be a��little��bit more soothing because I know bees are in there and that��they’re��happy.”

As��UofL’s��beekeeping intern, Robinson cares for the beehives year-round. Before the winter, Robinson adds entrance reducers and hay bales around the hive to reduce wind-chill. Throughout the early spring, she visits the hives a couple of times a month to monitor the bees’ behavior, add pollen patties, remove any pests and add more hive frames��which��are��used��by the bees to build honeycombs.

After the bees become more active in the spring, honey can��start to��be harvested��through the summer.��Robinson dresses in a beekeeping suit that covers her legs, arms and face in one sealed garment to protect her from her buzzing friends.��She also burns natural wood shavings to calm the bees down if��she’s��in the hives��for a��longer��amount of time��than��normal.��Robinson uses a brush to gently guide the bees out from any tight spots or crevices to keep��the bees��safe��as she��carefully removes frames and places them on a rack to check the��honeycomb’s��structure and��honey��production.��

“You really count on every bee to help your hive survive,”��Robinson said. “So,��it’s��a very gentle process.”

Last year, one UofL hive produced about 12-pint jars of honey and grew enough to create a second hive.��

Robinson says there’s��no negative aspect in harvesting the bees’ honey when done��properly.

Tending to the hives functions like a symbiotic relationship where the keeper protects the hives from pests, cold, moisture and hunger while harvesting honey for consumption. Seeing the hive thrive and overcome obstacles is as rewarding for Robinson as collecting honey.

“Seeing how much everybody likes the honey is really cool. Not that I made it, but it feels like I helped at least jar it,”��Robinson said.��“It’s��cool to see the different tastes of what this honey is like compared to a different��hive’s��honey.”

Supporting the Hive

Caring for bees��not only��ties Robinson to her community and family, but it also��fulfills a called duty to the environment and sustainability.��

“The responsibility as UofL’s beekeeping intern to me is to show kindness and consideration toward ecology, urban agriculture and every little pollinator that comes my way,” Robinson said. “To help our bees is an honor because I’m also helping our local and community gardens, wildlife and student outreach on sustainable, eco-friendly practices.”

Honeybees are��an important��keystone species as pollinators��and��their success could��be directly tied��to the success of future generations. Keeping beehives helps secure a sustainable future and protects��an important��species from eradication. In trade, beekeepers can harvest honey and beeswax from hives��to use��for various purposes.

“It’s��just important for everybody to know that you can absolutely be a beekeeper wherever as long as you have a yard and some plants nearby,”��Robinson said.��“You just have to know some pretty basic things about bees��and��how to use the equipment.”

Justin Mog, assistant to the provost for sustainability��initiatives,��created the beekeeping internship to help connect student learning with sustainable agriculture and nature stewardship.��Mog works closely with Robinson to manage��the��hives and honey harvesting��at UofL.��The two also participate in programming on-and-off campus to better connect the Louisville community with honeybee conservation.

“Anyone who cares about sustainability needs an intimate understanding of how nature works, and I find��there’s��no better way to do that than to crack open a beehive and observe��what’s��going on,”��Mog said.��“I learn so much from my bees!”

After graduation, Robinson hopes to continue beekeeping��either through��volunteering or keeping her own hives.��“I would love to have some beehives of my own one day as��kind of��a family tradition, help my dad still take care of his bees and hopefully get more involved with the����

KSBA offers resources, workshops and programs to help create new beekeepers and share knowledge.

Interested in becoming��UofL’s��next beekeeping intern? Contact��.

Incoming students get their first taste of that as they push, pull, carry and drag their necessities to their new residence halls at the University of Louisville during the start of the fall semester. Family members beaming with pride and brimming with tears trail behind.

This year, University Housing and the Resident Experience is projecting almost 100% occupancy, with more than 3,900 University of Louisville students moving campus housing to begin their college years.

As has been the case in recent years due to COVID-19, move-in dates and times were staggered over a few days to alleviate crowding.��

UofL President Kim Schatzel and her husband, Trevor, were on hand Thursday to greet newly arriving students and families on Belknap Campus. They were stylishly attired in their bright red “Move-In 2023” t-shirts and posted a selfie on .

The Robinson family of Louisville were pleased with the ease of moving into Belknap Village South, saying the only holdup they experienced was as traditional as it gets — at the elevators.��

Tatyana Robinson, 17, who plans to major in criminal justice, said she chose UofL because of its diverse student population and it was close to home.

“I’m a big people person,” she said. “I’m just glad to see people from all different experiences.”

UofL has long been a part of dad Chris Robinson’s life, he said, and he was happy his daughter would be continuing that tradition.��

For Tatyana’s mother, Rana, UofL’s proximity to home made all the difference.��

“If we want to see her, if I need a hug, I can come see her real quick and I can go back home and she can go back to her college life,” she said.

Pre-business freshman Chris Mills said his move-in was “not as chaotic as I thought” and he liked the spacious residence hall rooms. He also said he likes UofL’s campus “and how you can walk from one end to the other in about 10 minutes.”

For more photos, visit UofL’s Flickr page and .��

In addition to some of the newest residence halls on Belknap Campus (the two halls of Belknap Village — primarily for first-year students — and Denny Crum Hall), other residence halls bustling with activity during Move-in Week are Unitas Tower, also primarily for first-years; the suites in Community Park, Kurz Hall, Louisville Hall and Billy Minardi Hall, and apartments in Cardinal Towne, Bettie Johnson, University Pointe and University Tower.

Dozens of have been planned for incoming first-years, commuting students and transfer students.

Just some of the activities (most involving snacking opportunities) include a Cardinal Kickoff Picnic with Schatzel and other administrators; yard games and Bingo Like Never B-4; UofL night at Kentucky Kingdom; sunrise yoga; nachos at Ekstrom Library; a Louisville bike tour; a Sustainability Free Sale; puppies (!);�� a “Taste of Louisville” lunch; a “Looking for Louie” scavenger hunt; an outdoor movie and a night pep rally at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium.��

Classes begin Aug. 21.

Gabrielle Lawless and Tony Piedemonte contributed to this story.

Watch the video:

As you navigate the college experience, UofL has your back. You’re never alone in the Cardinal Community. Whether your needs are related to academic success, personal wellness, general well-being or recreational activities, there are resources available to enhance your overall student experience and to ensure a thriving future. Check out these 10 helpful campus websites:

1. ��–��UofL hosts over 400 student organizations that cover a wide variety of student interests. These groups provide a wonderful opportunity to become involved in campus life and to connect with other students on campus who enjoy some of the same things you do. Find the list of contacts on the��.��
2. –The Student Recreation Center (SRC) offers the latest fitness facilities and equipment, complete with basketball and racquetball courts. Campus Recreation also offers activities ranging from group fitness classes to competitive intramural sports to sport clubs.
3. ��–��The Cultural Center supports and offers programs that acknowledge and reflect the experiences of underrepresented populations. It also provides educational opportunities for all members of the campus community to examine their individual and group experiences within a culturally diverse society.
4. ��–��The counseling center offers services such as individual or group counseling, workshops, couples therapy, urgent consultations and psychiatric referrals. Some of the services are covered by student fees and do not require additional payment. The website also provides a list of��
5. ��–��The Cardinal Station and Health Sciences Center (HSC) Campus Health Services (CHS) offices provide basic primary care including physical exams, immunizations, allergy shots, travel medicine, flu and COVID-19 shots, sexual health and contraception and more. CHS has an insurance advocate who assists students enrolled in the UofL student health insurance program.
6. ��–��UofL’s����provides community-building socials with other first-gen students, workshops and individual coaching. Participants can earn completion grants toward their UofL bill.����matches first-generation, first-year students with faculty and staff for individual mentoring in the��.��
7. ��–��The University Writing Center offers one-on-one or group consultations to both undergraduate and graduate students with a trained writing consultant. The center also provides a range of online resources.
8. ��–��This is where many students can find out about outside-the-classroom learning opportunities, whether they are work-related (internships, co-ops) or research-focused. The Center for Engaged Learning (CEL) is an on-campus resource for UofL, the community and industry partners that helps Cardinals better prepare for academic and success.
9. ��–��What’s going on today? You’ll find happenings from Belknap to HSC listed on the official UofL Event Calendar.
10. ��–��The ITS HelpDesk provides technology support to the Cardinal community. The ITS website features a Knowledge Base, Service Catalog and FAQ section with answers to questions like “What software is free for enrolled students?” and “What digital storage options are available?”

Several of these resources are sanctioned by UofL’s or the . The Office of Student Involvement is a hub for cultural, social and recreational programs, while the Student Success Center provides resources related to advising, academics, financial well-being and belonging.

According to the UofL Student Success Center, whether a student is in need of a laptop, exploring a new major, facing a financial barrier or simply looking for a peer who’s been there before, the SSC is the place to turn.

We urge you to explore the wide array of programs and activities at UofL. We’ll be here every step of the way!

Called Living-Learning Communities (LLCs) and Themed Communities (TCs), these groups are varied and sometimes offer lower and upper divisions. Among the 2022-2023 communities are those for majors such as engineering, education and health sciences and those that focus on interests such as sustainability, social justice, Black culture or the LGBTQ+ community. There is even one dedicated solely to transfer students.

“The idea of the LLCs is to make living on campus something that’s desirable and to give it a little bit more meaning,” said Eva Little, LLC program coordinator, in a recent Student Affairs .

This fall, one of the two new residence halls dedicated on Belknap Campus — Denny Crum Hall — boasted a new Sport Professional LLC.��

“This LLC provides students a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the sport industry,” said Thomas Hardy, executive director of University Housing and the Resident Experience (UHRE). “Among other things, members have an ‘inside’ look into the UofL Athletics Department and opportunities to network with other sport organizations in Louisville as well as UofL’s extensive alumni network of sport professionals.”

These types of communities are common across higher education institutions because they directly contribute to student success, said Tina Belcher, director of resident experience.

“The LLC offers many opportunities for different majors,” said Emma Hurley, a first-year student from Sidney, Ohio, living in the ����ֱ�� and Health & Sports Sciences LLC in Belknap Village North. A major in middle and secondary education in the College of ����ֱ�� and Human Development, she praised the instant support an LLC offers. “Whenever one of us needs help on something, we are close by. I recommend living in an LLC to other students because if you think you might struggle with your major or a class, there is always someone there to help you with it.”

Classrooms built into some of the newer residence halls (Belknap Village North and South) allow LLC/TC residents to have a class right in their building.

“Most really enjoy their time in their LLC/TC and really love the community they are in, coming back specifically for the upper division LLC if offered,” Belcher said. She added the communities are always being reevaluated to keep up with student interests and needs. To that end, an ESports LLC is expected to be offered .

The LLCs and TCs operating during the 2022-2023 academic year are:

• Denny Crum Hall: Sport Professional
• Belknap Village North: ����ֱ�� & Health and Sport Sciences; Feminist Social Justice Leadership; First-Generation Cardinal; Parish; Social Work
• Belknap Village South: Men of PEACC; Metropolitan College; Psychology; School of Music
• Bettie Johnson: Engineering; Entrepreneurship; Global Village; Public Health; School of Music
• Billy Minardi: Metropolitan College
• University Pointe: Air Force ROTC
• Community Park: Engineering; Health Sciences
• Cardinal Towne: Bayard Rustin LGBTQ+ & Social Justice; Transfer Student
• Kurz: Honors
• Louisville Hall: College of Business TILE; Ethics; Sustainability
• University Pointe: Army ROTC
• University Tower Apartments: Air Force and Army ROTC; Bayard Rustin LGBTQ+ & Social Justice.

For more information on LLCs, visit .��

The agency will offer a variety of services for clients — UofL colleges, schools or departments — in social media, branding, video production, event planning, public relations, digital content, research, advertising and influencer marketing. The Bird’s Nest will charge a modest fee for services negotiated between the agency and the client. All fees will be used to support student initiatives such as supplies, professional development, scholarships, conferences and student work.

Students from any college within UofL can participate in the Bird’s Nest, which began as an idea in 2019 from Karen Freberg, professor in Strategic Communication, and Al Futrell, department chair, both in the Department of Communication, and Joey Wagner,��owner of the JWagner Group and chair of the board of advisors for the Bird’s Nest.

“The Bird’s Nest exemplifies the value of a liberal arts education,” said Arts & Sciences Interim Dean David Owen. “While students are discovering new knowledge and understanding inside the classroom, they are also acquiring real-world experience outside the classroom, with the potential to transform lives and society. Further, I am committed to making the Bird’s Nest a campus-wide learning opportunity for the entire UofL student community.”

In addition to Wagner, professionals from businesses around Louisville will form the student agency’s board of advisors. Some of the largest global brands are already represented on board, including Churchill Downs, Onyx + Rose, Starbucks, Brown-Forman, Blitzmetrics, adidas, UofL Athletics and more.

“This is going to be a game changer for not only students enrolled at the University of Louisville, but the entire community,” said Freberg, who is also serving as the director of the agency. “The Bird’s Nest will empower students to gain marketable skills that are aligned with the industry through engaged learning and professional opportunities with the community.”

Hailee Andrews, a senior communications major and director of content for The Bird’s Nest, said the experience has so far been rewarding and “almost surreal to see all of our hard work finally come to life.”��

“I am excited to challenge my creativity and learn from some of the best. The community surrounding The Bird’s Nest is developing into something that is going to help like-minded individuals in our generation reach their greatest potential,” Andrews said.��

Sydney Baker, a communications graduate student and director of strategy, said having the opportunity to gain agency experience and work with real clients will “undeniably contribute to my success as a professional post-graduation.”��

“This will further drive student-success by providing a space for students to be creative and gain meaningful experience in our fields that will help jumpstart our careers. I’m very grateful to Dr. Freberg, the other directors and advisors for all their hard work in creating a solid foundation for The Bird’s Nest. I am so proud of what The Bird’s Nest represents and can’t wait to see what this program brings to our community,” added Zaire Robinson, marketing senior and director of Communication.

“Being a part of The Bird’s Nest has pushed me above and beyond what I thought I could do,” said Jacey Wells, a sophomore communications major and director of outreach. “We are so excited to welcome the University of Louisville community and I can’t wait to see where the future takes us.”��

The Bird’s Nest is launching its services this semester, along with a fundraising campaign�� to modernize the physical space (Strickler Hall rooms 107 and 111) that will house the agency.

For more information and inquiries about The Bird’s Nest, contact the leadership team at�� birdsnest@louisville.edu. Follow along on social by connecting with The Bird’s Nest on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn at @thebirdsnestlou.

Teams were based on the students’ Advisory Colleges, which are assigned upon matriculation to the School of Medicine. The six Advisory Colleges are each named for a past School of Medicine dean or a significant historical member of the medical community.

The College Cup event itself contains few activities requiring serious athleticism, but instead focuses on activating the mind, creativity and spirit. This year’s events included dodgeball, tug-of-war, rock-paper-scissors, an art competition, a relay race, capture the flag, musical chairs and eating competitions.

“We try to host multiple events that aren’t reliant entirely on physical strength and are welcoming to all sorts of people,” said Cynthia Morse, coordinator of student programs at the college.

College Cup reminds students to have fun, take care of themselves, be social, be a part of a community, be a whole person and take breaks from studies to avoid burnout, Morse adds.

“The event is a comradery-building event to foster community among the [advisory] colleges that students are assigned to when they enter their M1 year. It is a great way to get to know people and share in a common goal,” Morse said.

College Cup is one of several events over the course of the academic year involving the Advisory Colleges.

Indeed, the Advisory Colleges are a unique aspect of the School of Medicine, according to Tony Simms, director of student wellness for the School of Medicine.

“Few other universities offer such programs, so when we started it here in 2011, it was a big draw for students to have an automatic built-in support system,” Simms said. “The Advisory Colleges focus on connecting our incoming students with upperclassmen. It fosters strong relationships and reminds students that wellness is extremely important while in medical school.”

Participation in College Cup is voluntary, but this year saw nearly a quarter of the School of Medicine student body population compete.

“College Cup is a great way to showcase all the various talents and enthusiasm that ULSOM students have to offer, but more than this, College Cup is a time for first-year medical students to continue meeting their classmates and be encouraged by upperclassmen to remember there’s a work-life balance to value when entering medical school,” said second-year student Alexis Harris.

“My favorite part of College Cup is when there are events that whittle down to only a few participants, such as musical chairs/paper-rock-scissors tournament, and so the entire focus of all attendees shifts to one place and a few people — everyone circled around a small group of people. It is really fun to see the entire crowd cheering on the remaining participants, start chants and cheer on someone they just met a week prior,” Morse said.

The winning team takes home the College Cup trophy and receives bragging rights for the academic year. This year, bragging rights will be shared by two colleges as there was a tie between Fitzbutler and Moore colleges.��

To view photos from the event, click .

This year, more than 700 students submitted recommendations for Student Champion Awards, yielding 547 recipients representing several schools, colleges and offices.

“A UofL diploma represents a communal investment in academic, professional and personal success,” said interim President Lori Stewart Gonzalez, who as provost initiated the Student Champion Award program in 2021. “As our students succeed, so does our university. My thanks and congratulations to the winners of this year’s Student Champion Award.”

The College of Arts & Sciences received the most nominations, with student submissions recognizing 173 faculty and staff across multiple departments. Students also recognized 63 employees in the College of ����ֱ�� and Human Development, 45 employees in the School of Medicine and 33 employees in the College of Business.

Raymond Chastain, associate professor in the College of Arts & Sciences, Amy Hirschy and Susan Longerbeam, both associate professors in the College of ����ֱ�� and Human Development, and Leondra Gully, director of the Cultural Center, received the most acknowledgements from the student body.

“Our Student Champion Award recipients demonstrate the kind of faculty and staff that make UofL a great place to learn,” said interim Provost Gerry Bradley. “Their commitment exemplifies the Cardinal Principles of Community of Care and Noble Purpose. The support they provided and the relationships they developed were vital to the university’s mission.”

All faculty and staff names that were submitted as Student Champions can be viewed [PDF].

Six-year old Harleigh was 1.4 pounds when born with cerebral palsy and epilepsy and has faced multiple obstacles, including numerous brain surgeries. Her family, from Carter County, Kentucky, stays at RMHCK when Harleigh has doctor and physical therapist appointments or surgeries.

Harleigh’s grandmother, Jatonda Ousley, mentioned to He that she had outgrown the leg braces she needed to continue making development progress in movement and motor skills. With current supply chain issues, the braces were on a waitlist status and not expected until September, as well as being prohibitively expensive for the family. He said that after meeting the family, he realized “little Harleigh deserved everything in the world.”

He researched if he could custom-fit and use 3D printing to manufacture the braces Harleigh needed, but soon realized it might be beyond his expertise. He turned to engineering friends at Speed School of Engineering, who recommended emailing Ed Tackett, director of Advanced Manufacturing Institute of Science and Technology () for assistance. “He’s been very enthusiastic about this project,” said He. “It could not have been done without his support and guidance.”

Monday, April 25, 2022, was the special “fitting day” for Harleigh and her family who drove three hours to RMHCK for the occasion. The boot-style brace is appropriately adorned with cartoon characters from the movie “Trolls,” Harleigh’s favorite. Ousley, Harleigh’s primary caretaker, was grateful for the thoughtfulness exhibited by the students. “I greatly appreciate UofL and Caleb for doing it, and Peyton for making the braces,” she said. “We love it and can’t thank you enough.”

Tackett then assigned the project to Chemical Engineering Junior Peyton Deaton, who is currently doing his first co-op rotation at AMIST, and asked if he would figure out how to make it work. Deaton relished the challenge, and used a 3D scan of Harleigh’s leg that He sent to work on a prototype, and after trying three different prototypes, Deaton fashioned the shape that worked.

Ousley explained what the braces will allow for Harleigh, who suffered some setbacks after her latest brain surgery.

“These help her get stronger in the legs, and with the right equipment it will help her to start standing up again, and get back to where she was,” said Ousley. “When Harleigh was being fitted for braces before, she had to be sedated. This is going to help tremendously. You’ve really made a difference.”

Having the shareable and inexpensive technology to make these braces could potentially help thousands of kids with similar issues.

Six-year old Harleigh is shown wearing with her 3D printed leg brace.

“For families with really good medical insurance, this might not be an issue, but what do we do to help disadvantaged families?” said AMIST Director Ed Tackett. “We can use this technology to provide positive patient outcomes and train students to do this,” he said.

“This was an opportunity where I saw something, connected with people with great expertise and talent and we got something done, and I’m so proud of that,” added He.

As for Harleigh, she’s just happy to have new “Troll shoes.”

Gamez moved to Louisville five years ago from her hometown of Holguin, Cuba. She is a Finance major who serves as a counselor in the Office of Admissions for Hispanic/Latinx students. She is also involved in the Hispanic and Latin@ Faculty and Staff Association and the Louisville Welcome Academy.��

She chose to attend UofL because it was “full of academic opportunities, research, a beautiful campus, but a place I knew I was going to be welcomed.”��

Cooper, a Social Change and Political Science major from Owensboro, chose to attend UofL because “it was in a community I could connect with and get engaged with. It was also home to a lot of diverse opinions and diverse people.”��

Cooper is part of the James Graham Brown Fellows Program and is the services VP for the Student Government Association, as well as a U.S. Department of State intern.��

“I’m not only part of the Louisville community, but I’m also part of the UofL community and I’m using my passion to make both of these things better,” Cooper said. “My experience at UofL is going to help me move beyond and be even more impactful in the type of work I want to do.”��

Check out more from Gamez and Cooper below.

The opportunity arose through an established relationship with SP+ GAMEDAY, a transportation management company that also partners with the Kentucky Derby.

Students enrolled in the Sport Administration special topics course “Kentucky Derby Logistics” volunteered at the event in the Spring of 2021, transporting those with mobility needs to and from Churchill Downs. Doctoral student Michael Clemons taught the course and has seen the partnership flourish.

“In the class, more than 20 students worked with the Mobility Assistance Program outside of Churchill Downs,” Clemons said. “Since SP+ GAMEDAY partners with multiple mega sporting events, they contracted our students from the class to assist with the same Mobility Assistance Program at this year’s Super Bowl.”

Student volunteers will serve as contractors, stationed outside of Sofi Stadium in Los Angeles to assist those with mobility needs.

“The Sport Administration program at UofL is nationally known as a top program providing opportunities for its students, including experiences like this,” Clemons said. “As I teach both during my PhD program and after I graduate, I plan to incorporate examples and real-life lessons learned from my time at the Super Bowl. It’s nice to be able to talk about mega-sporting events, but being at an event and experiencing it firsthand adds another unique element to class discussion.”

Junior Emily Bridges anticipates the opportunity will advance her understanding of the field of sport administration.

“I’m interested in seeing the elaborate, precise preparation and coordination that goes into major sporting event planning,” Bridges said. “I am most familiar with collegiate sporting events, so working at a professional sporting event, especially one of this magnitude, will broaden my experience.”

She also thinks the opportunity will increase her confidence in her future career.

“[The opportunity] will also encourage me to look at other unique sport opportunities to diversify my skill set, which will directly impact my future career endeavors in terms of confidence, knowledge and experience in the sport industry,” she said.

The rare opportunity is one that the students are not taking for granted.

“While I’ve worked a lot of major sporting events, the Super Bowl is at a whole new level. It is the most-watched, most-anticipated annual sporting event in the United States,” Clemons said.��“To be on site and playing a part in event operations is truly special, and something that very few sport administration students and faculty receive.”��