For 38 Heidelberg University students, the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh was more than one of the biggest sporting events of the year; it was a front-row opportunity to experience the sports industry firsthand.
From April 23-25, Heidelberg students studying Sport Management stepped behind the scenes of the NFL Draft, working alongside professionals through a partnership with Allied Universal Event Services, the company responsible for the event's security operations. With a record-breaking 805,000 fans in attendance throughout the week, students witnessed firsthand what it takes to manage an event on the national stage.
For Dr. Kaylea Tidrick, instructor of Sport Management, creating opportunities like this is one of the most valuable aspects of her work with students.
“Anytime anyone can get hands-on, they should take it.” Kayela said. “Events like these allow our students to see what goes into a mega-scale production. But more importantly, it offers a behind-the-scenes look at the intricate aspects fans don’t see, such as volunteer coordination, email reminders, and the finer details of the industry.”
Kayela said her motivation for bringing students to the draft was to create meaningful opportunities for learning and professional growth.
“I wanted to provide our students with new opportunities; these are the really unique aspects of our industry,” she said. “There is no better way to learn about the industry than by doing. It is all about relationships and connections.”
All 38 students who attended were Sport Management majors or minors, and Kayela said they represented Heidelberg with professionalism and pride.
“Our students were absolutely rock stars. … Many of them had first-hand experience in the not-so-glamorous side of sport with difficult fan interactions and less-than-desirable job assignments, but they responded with positivity and a smile.”
For sophomore Blake Raymond, a Media and Sport Management major, the experience changed the way he views major sporting events.
“Something that I learned on-site that I wouldn’t have learned in the classroom is just how many staff it takes to run an event like the NFL Draft,” Blake said, “from security and ticketing to bartenders and food runners to everything in between. Thousands of employees and volunteers are needed to ensure everything runs smoothly.”
He also noticed how much happens between the moments fans see on television.
“While TV viewers are on a commercial break, the fans in attendance get live music, commentary, giveaways, and interactions with current and former players,” he said.
That behind-the-scenes perspective gave him a deeper appreciation for the complexity of event management. “This experience has definitely changed how I view large-scale sporting events. It has shown me all the different roles and types of people needed to make an event of this scale run smoothly. I was able to meet so many amazing people and learn so much about the sports world.”
In addition to the hands-on work, the trip also created valuable networking opportunities with sport management professionals from across the country. For Heidelberg students, the NFL Draft became more than a volunteer experience; it became a glimpse into their future careers.
Kayela hopes students walk away with one lesson above all else. “More than anything,” she said, “you win with people. Communication is key, and you make the most of your opportunities.”
At Heidelberg, opportunities like the NFL Draft transform classroom learning into real-world experience, helping students build the skills, connections, and confidence needed for successful careers in sports.