Sports and Society Initiative students turned a postseason football trip into a formative professional experience, thanks to the generosity of board member Dru Hancock, whose sponsorship made their participation possible.

Attendees included Jacob Smollin, Heidi Chang and Brock Frost, who traveled to Tampa to volunteer at the Gasparilla Bowl, an annual NCAA postseason game known for its pirate-themed pageantry inspired by the city’s Gasparilla Pirate Festival. Held at Raymond James Stadium, the event blends big-time college football with community engagement and charitable work across the Tampa Bay area.

For Smollin, the experience was memorable from start to finish. 

“This experience was extremely meaningful and something I will remember moving forward,” he said. “It was both exciting and valuable.”

Chang worked her first-ever bowl game, a milestone she says directly shaped her career outlook. 

“I’m so glad to have been given this opportunity,” she said. “[This experience] helped me so much with my future career aspirations.”

Frost emphasized the professional growth that comes from working a high-profile event. 

“The experience allowed me to further my work experience, expand my understanding of event operations, and make meaningful industry connections,” he said. 

On the field, NC State Wolfpack defeated the Memphis Tigers, but for SSI students, the real win came off the field—learning how large-scale sporting events are planned, executed, and staffed by professionals across communications, operations, and fan engagement.

Experiences like the Gasparilla Bowl reflect SSI’s commitment to turning access into opportunity and coursework into careers. Thanks to supporters like Dru Hancock, students aren’t just studying sports—they’re living it.