LEWISTON, N.Y. — Even without the Bills playing in this year's Super Bowl, Western New York will still be represented.
A group of students from Niagara University's College of Hospitality, Sport and Tourism Management traveled to Glendale, Arizona Tuesday night to take part in the Super Bowl Immersion program.
The students will be part of all the events done by the Super Bowl 57 Host Committee leading up to and during the Super Bowl.
Wednesday is their first day. The students will go on facility tours, attend a panel discussion with sport industry leaders and meet other students from across the country. Their work experience begins on Thursday.
The Super Bowl Immersion program gives students a first-hand look at what it takes to organize the events and activities leading up to the Super Bowl. They'll be doing behind-the-scenes tasks at the Super Bowl Experience at the Phoenix Convention Center.
On game day, they will work inside suites in the stadium.
"I wanted to take on this experience to have a more well-rounded understanding of the whole hospitality industry including sports," said tourism and event management major Amelia Santarosa.
"Going to the Super Bowl in my senior year at Niagara is just extremely incredible to me and it's going to be a great experience that I'll probably never get again," said sports management major Ryan McNair.
The Niagara University students will return to Western New York on Feb. 15.