Strengthening HBCUs | NFL Football Operations
NFL experienceships
HBCU Experienceship participants (L-R) Tucker Toole, Shala Murray, Janae Adams and Bundrea Conway.
NFL Football Operations launched the experienceship program to connect collegiate candidates interested in a career in sports and entertainment with opportunities to develop and to learn about the business through practical learning and shadowing experiences. The initiative has since expanded and now includes the opportunity to gain experience on other NFL departments.
Experienceships increase diversity by providing students at HBCUs opportunities to engage with NFL leadership and staff in departments across the league. They receive opportunities to learn and gain experience, mentorship, experience, and access throughout the year with NFL business units, clubs and partners. They are able to expand their skill sets while networking.
The NFL hosted two Rhoden Fellows, Tucker Toole (Morehouse College) and Janae Adams (Clark Atlanta University), and two students, Shala Murray (Spelman College) and Bundrea Conway (Morehouse College), at Super Bowl LIII for their HBCU Experienceship. The shadowing program gave the students a behind-the-scenes look at Super Bowl week operations throughout Atlanta, including visits to the NFL Legends Lounge, Broadcast Bowl and Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Students who have not participated in NFL sponsored events before are eligible to apply for the HBCU Experienceship. The program provides participants with opportunities to earn hands-on experience at all-star games such as the East-West Shrine Bowl and Senior Bowl. Candidates can apply for an Experienceships with the athletic training, equipment management or video teams.
