At 5:45am three buses loaded with Center for Sport Leadership students and professors left the VCU Siegel Center parking lot and began their journey to the nation's capital. Almost two hours later, the busses arrived at FedEx Field for a day of observing the NFL, with behind the scenes access and an insider's view of the Washington Redskins vs. Kansas City Chiefs football game.
After arriving at the stadium, each student and professor received a press pass which allowed full access to the entire stadium, including the field and press box. Zack Bolno, Publics Relations Director for the Washington Redskins, guided the group on the tour through the stadium. Once the class passed through security, students got a chance to see FedEx Field from a player's perspective. They entered the field through the player's tunnel and Zack described the basic layout of the stadium as well as the marketing aspects visible from field level. The next stop on the tour was the Redskins' locker room. In the locker room, the CSL students were introduced to the Redskins' equipment manager, who gave a tour of the players' and coaches' locker rooms, as well as the athletic training room. Many students took this opportunity to ask questions and snap pictures in front of their favorite player's lockers. From there, the group was escorted past the Redskin Cheerleaders' practice floor, up the stairs, and into the Owner's Club level. The Owner's Club level houses the press box, all media outlets, and many luxury suites, all of which the group got to learn about and see. From the Owner's Club, the tour concluded with a crash course in media relations in the interview room, where Coach Zorn is asked questions by the media after every game.
The tour was an eye opening experience into the operations and public relations world of professional football. CSL students also got to experience another side of this NFL lifestyle, which is that of the fans. After the stadium tour, the class went to the parking lot, where Professor Lampe had provided a tailgate. This pregame gathering is where the students and professors relaxed, ate, and mingled with Redskins fans, while taking in the whole experience of a football game. After a few heated games of corn-hole, three pans of chicken sandwiches, and a lot of observational learning, it was finally game time. Some students chose to spend time in the press box where there was heat and free food, while others sat amongst the fans cheering on the Redskins. Despite the fact that no touchdowns were scored and the Redskins were booed quite often for their poor showing, the students enjoyed this rare and exciting opportunity to have a behind the scenes look at an NFL event.
By: Andy Webb, CSL Class of 2010
