While 257 of college football’s best players were selected at the 2026 NFL Draft in April, eight Texas A&M University sport management students were on the ground in Pittsburgh working at one of the biggest professional sporting events of the year.

Led by Dr. Mark LaSota of our Department of Kinesiology and Sport Management, the students worked all three days of the Draft, getting paid to support fan engagement and event operations for the National Football League and the City of Pittsburgh’s tourism office.

Building a Game Plan

The opportunity did not happen by chance, but rather was the result of LaSota’s years of planning, building relationships, studying best practices and even participating in the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit.

“I wanted to create something that truly prepared our students for the realities of the sport industry,” LaSota said. “They weren’t just observing – they were doing the work, representing Texas A&M and learning what it means to perform at a professional level.”

Making the Team

Participating in this experience was not guaranteed. Each student earned their place through a selective application and interview process designed to identify those best prepared to represent the University in a high-profile, professional setting.

“I am honored that I was selected for an opportunity like this,” said senior Chase Cross of Southlake, Texas, one of the eight students chosen to participate. “It is an experience I will never forget.”

Students interacted with fans and sponsors as part of their NFL Draft experience.

In the Trenches

Throughout Draft weekend, students rotated through assignments that included assisting with fan and sponsor engagement, supporting media operations, helping manage crowd flow and enhancing the overall guest experience.

For senior Audrey Faulk of Richland, Washington, the experience showed how different executing a live event can be from planning on paper.

“In class, we learn about strategy and logistics, but this showed me how quickly things can change,” she said. “You have to be flexible, communicate clearly and still deliver the best experience possible.”

Senior Kegan Dimick of Tomball, Texas seconded the importance of communication and thinking on your feet. “Every interaction was different,” he said. “You had to be aware, respectful and prepared to adjust based on who you were working with at the moment.”

Students also valued the sense of accountability that came with having a paid role, raising the standard for how they carried themselves while on the job.

Each student in this experience was selected through a rigorous application and interview process.

Postgame Lessons

LaSota said the transformation he observed over the three days of the Draft reinforced his belief in the value of immersive experiences.

“You could see students growing more confident and decisive with each shift,” he said. “By the end of the Draft, they understood the expectations of the industry and what it takes to meet them.”

LaSota hopes to continue offering these types of applied experiences, both nationally and abroad, and plans to create more opportunities for students to gain hands-on industry exposure, expand their social networks and develop versatile skill sets that prepare them for the professional world.

“Experiences like the NFL Draft are just one way we can continue to expand what learning looks like beyond the classroom,” he said.

For media inquiries, contact Ruben Hidalgo.