February 3, 2026 — Six Marist University students from the Center for Sports Communication are already on the ground in the San Francisco Bay Area, turning one of the biggest weeks in sports into their classroom at the site of Super Bowl LX. The experience places students at the center of the global sports media spotlight, where they are gaining firsthand access to the fast‑paced environment of professional sports journalism.

Armed with official NFL media credentials, the students have access to athletes, coaches, celebrities, and national sports journalists throughout the host city. The experience places them inside one of the largest media operations in the world, giving them real‑time exposure to the fast‑paced demands of professional sports media.

After last year’s inaugural Super Bowl trip to New Orleans, students now have the opportunity to immerse themselves in one of the biggest media weeks of the year while filing reports for Center Field. Since arriving in California, students reporting for the online sports publication have begun producing coverage from opening‑week activities, including interviews, video content, social media updates, and behind‑the‑scenes reporting.

For Marist students, this Super Bowl week is especially meaningful as Seattle Seahawks kicker Jason Myers will become the first Marist alum to play in the big game. Myers ’13 is among the people students are most excited to see during the week’s events.

While Super Bowl LX will be played in Santa Clara, many of the events during Super Bowl Week will take place in nearby San Francisco. Photo by Heyengel/Adobe Stock. 

“A big part of our mission is creating opportunities that bring students face‑to‑face with the industries they want to enter,” said Dr. Andrew Elrick, Director of the Center for Sports Communication. “The Super Bowl represents that mission at the highest level. These experiences help students build confidence, expand professional networks, and produce portfolio‑quality work that sets them apart.”

Throughout the week, the students will attend NFL events and connect with some of the most recognizable figures in sports and entertainment. Their coverage will include short‑form videos, social content, written stories, photo galleries, and day‑to‑day updates from across Super Bowl LX’s media landscape.

Two of the students attended Super Bowl Week in New Orleans last year and gained an invaluable experience.

“Having the opportunity to attend Super Bowl Week for the second time means the world to me,” said Eugene (Gene) Barbieri '26, Co-Executive Producer of Red Fox Report. “Last year's Super Bowl experience paved the way for this one. We know what to expect now, meaning our content will be even stronger.”

“Last year, Gene and I were thrown into the fire, figuring things out as we went. This year, we have a clearer sense of what we want to do, similar to last year, focusing on securing the biggest interviews we can to promote our clubs, the university, and our careers,” said Nicholas Chiarito '26, who is also Co-Anchor and Co-Executive Producer of Red Fox Report. “It’s also a great opportunity to branch out, build connections with other students, and connect with potential future employers.”

 
At last year’s Super Bowl in New Orleans, Luke Sassa '25 gets an exclusive interview with Stephen A. Smith. Photo by Cara Lacey '27/M. 

For students attending for the first time, the experience offers both excitement and opportunity.

“I would love to work in professional sports as a photographer, so I’m going to network as much as possible and start building those connections now,” said Jaylen Rizzo '27, Director of Multimedia for Center Field. “I also feel honored to be going since only six students were selected. It makes me feel like all the effort I’ve put into my work is starting to pay off.”

“This opportunity almost feels like the culmination of so much of what I’ve been doing in and out of the classroom throughout my time at Marist,” said Ben Leeds '26, Editor-in-Chief of Center Field. “Twelve years ago, I attended Super Bowl XLVIII media day as a fan. It’s surreal to think that now I’ll be part of it as a journalist.”

The opportunity has also given students the chance to envision themselves in future careers, gaining confidence, experience, and connections in a professional setting.

“It’s really a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn, network, and explore potential career paths with professionals who are passionate about connecting people through sports,” said Katherine Beichert '26. “As a senior graduating in May, this trip will provide invaluable exposure to the sports media industry and a chance to connect with organizations from across the country.”

 
At last year’s Super Bowl in New Orleans, NFL RedZone’s Scott Hanson gives Marist Sports Comm students advice on how to break into the industry. Photo by Cara Lacey '27/M.

For the Center, returning to the Super Bowl for a second straight year reflects its growing national presence. Elrick emphasized that the opportunity is a testament both to the students’ commitment and the strength of the program.

“These students earned this experience through their commitment and hard work,” he said. “To send students to the Super Bowl for a second straight year speaks to the momentum of our program and the level our students are performing at.”

Follow the students during their week in the San Francisco Bay Area via Center Field’s special Super Bowl section.