Team UT for Super Bowl XLVII

TEAM UT is a group of graduate and undergraduate students that undergo an annual, rigorous selection process in hopes of attending the annual Super Bowl.

TEAM UT has been a part of Super Bowls XLI (Miami), XLII (Arizona), XLIII (Tampa), XLIV (Miami), XLV (Texas), and XLVI (Indiana) and is preparing for Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans. The concept is the brainchild of Dr. Fritz G. Polite. Polite is a clinical professor of Sport Management at The University of Tennessee. He also is the Director and founder of The Institute for Leadership, Ethics & Diversity (I-LEAD) as well as the Director for community outreach and global engagement in The College of Education, Health and Human Sciences. He has over 30 years of experience in sports, management, coaching, teaching and business to include 19 years of International experience.

The students were selected through a rigorous application process. Each student submitted an essay describing their five and ten year goals, and how being a part of TEAM UT may assist them in accomplishing their career goals. Students were required to submit a professional portfolio including business cards and résumés. Finally, the top students were selected through an intensive interview process. The new TEAM UT members for Super Bowl XLVII are:

Dr. Fritz G. Polite is a clinical professor of Sport Management, at The University of Tennessee. He is the director and founder of TEAM UT. He has over 30 years of experience in sports, management, coaching, teaching and business to include 19 years of International experience.

Debbie L. Mackey, Ph.D, PHR, Director HRM masters program, college of Business, Teaching Human Resources and compensation and benefits. Assists students with internship and job placement. SHRM faculty advisor. 

Andrew Busa, of Louisville, Kentucky, is a senior in Sport Management with a minor in Business Administration. Busa spent his first two years as a manager for the men's UTK basketball team, and is currently a manager for the Tennessee baseball team. He has interned for FC Dallas and the New England Patriots. He plans to attend graduate school and earn his MBA.

Danielle Polk, of Fishers, Indiana, is a sophomore, with a major in Marketing and a concentration in American Sign Language. Dani is serving as one of the leaders of TEAM UT this year after being a part of last year's experience in Indianapolis for Super bowl XLVI and the Co-Director for the 138th Kentucky Derby.

Kristen Petway, of Nashville, Tennessee, is a junior studying Sport Management with a minor in Business Administration. Kristen has studied abroad in multiple cities in Spain and has interned for D1 Sports Training at the corporate marketing office. Kristen served as co-director for the 2012 Kentucky Derby as well as a member in Super Bowl XLVI (Indianapolis).

Sarah Frazier, of Cleveland Ohio, is a senior in the Recreation and Sport Management program. She hopes to pursue a career with a professional sport organization. She worked with TEAM UT for the 2012 Kentucky Derby and is excited for the opportunity to work with TEAM UT again at the Super Bowl.

Abigail Benson, of Franklin, Tennessee, is a senior in the Recreation and Sport Management program. She plans to attend law school post graduation. She hopes to become General Counsel for a professional sports team.

Brad Briggs, of Manhattan, Kansas, is a first year dual MBA/MS-Sport Management student.  He majored in business management as an undergraduate at Southern Illinois University where he also played football, assisted student-athlete development, and facilitated event operations.  He also has a year of experience working in the finance department of Magnetrol International in Chicago, IL.






Darren Brown, of Austin, TX, is a first-year Dual-MBA/MS Sport Management candidate. He received undergraduate degrees in economics and business from the University of Texas in 2008, where he was a 3-time All-American on the Track & Field/Cross Country teams. After college, Darren continued competing professionally, achieving four top-10 national finishes. He is also the founder of a USATF designated elite athlete-training center in Austin, TX. Darren looks to continue his career in business development within the sports industry upon graduation.

 

Taylor Hathorn, of  Kountze, TX, is a junior majoring in Journalism and Electronic Media concentrating in sports broadcasting with a minor in Business Administration. Taylor is involved in the Student Alumni Association, Zeta Tau Alpha, Team UT, and the Chancellor's Honors Program. She has traveled to over ten countries and lived in four.

Nickie Lancaster, of Franklin, Tennessee, is a senior in Sport Management with a minor in Business Administration. Nickie has previously interned with the Nashville Predators and Knoxville Ice Bears Hockey Organizations. She is currently a member and the social chairman for the Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity. Nickie is in her second year as a Spring Sports Ambassador at the university. She is currently employed with State Farm Insurance.

 

 

Destini Long, of Orlando, Florida, is a sophomore majoring in Retail and Consumer Science.  She is currently involved in The National Retail Federation Student Association.  She aspires to pursue a career in Retail Marketing.

Bryan Lundquist, of Marietta, Georgia, is a first-year MBA student. Lundquist previously worked in operations for the Auburn Athletic Department and currently works for UT as a graduate assistant in the Thornton Athletics Student Life Center.

Alice Mitchell, of Washington, DC, is a senior majoring in Journalism and Electronic Media with a concentration in Sports Journalism. She is a member of the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association and Partners in Sports. She looks forward to working for ESPN, NFL Network or a NFL franchise upon completion of her degree.

Erika Morris, of Austell, Georgia, is a first-year grad student in MS-Sport Management. Morris earned her bachelor’s from The University of Missouri-St. Louis in Physical Education and Health. Morris is an Assistant Hall Director in Clement Hall for University Housing. Morris is also a member of Partners in Sports and aspires to work in collegiate athletics as an Athletic Director. 

 

 

Trey Pence, of Memphis, Tennessee, is a senior in Journalism and Electronic Media with an emphasis in Visual Communication. Trey has studied abroad in Denmark, studying Video Production as well held several internships in the same field for companies such as ARF&Co and most recently NBC. 

 

 

 

Ladina Poltera, of Zurich Switzerland, is a senior majoring in Sport Management. She is a member of the Wakeboard Team and Partners in Sports and created her own fundraising event over the summer to help out the Center for Sport, Peace, and Society.

Charleston Strickland, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, is a first year student in the University of Tennessee’s Master of Science in Business Analytics program after graduating in May of 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in Management. Charleston has been involved with many organizations such as Student Government and Management Society at the University of Tennessee (MSUT) and has volunteered with the after school recreation program, Zone Sports.


 

To donate to TEAM UT, please send checks to the following address: Randy Atkins, 339 Claxton Complex, 1122 Volunteer Boulevard, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996.  Make checks payable to the University of Tennessee, with TEAM UT in the memo line.  All donations are tax deductible.  For information regarding sponsorship or development, please contact Randy Atkins by phone at (865)974-2365 or by email at matkin11@utk.edu.  For any other information regarding TEAM UT, please contact Fritz Polite by phone at (407)758-0811 or by email at fpolite@utk.edu.

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