Embracing the moment: Legacy Bowl Intern

The definition of legacy is the long-lasting impact of events and actions that took place in the past or an individual life. Most people would say this comes at the later period of an individual’s life. The HBCU Legacy Bowl goes beyond that. The Legacy Bowl elevates HBCU students to a higher degree because we deserve to be represented and recognized on the highest of platforms. I was one of the eight interns selected from an applicant pool of over 100 people. In addition, the first person to represent the Southern University Office of Student Media. The HBCU Legacy Bowl is not just a game but a week showcasing black excellence.
I had the opportunity to work with player personnel for the week. My responsibilities were to make the players participating in the game have everything they needed. However, the tasks assigned had a hidden message that can be used as motivation for anyone trying to reach a high standard of excellence. The diligent tasks ranged from preparing the stadium, preparing credentials, prepping for the career fair, and escorting players to the proper places while representing myself well and the institution. Of course, there were early mornings and late nights, but at the end of the day, I had pride in what I was there to do. The message I obtained from this experience was that you have set the bar high for yourself daily. To address the elephant in the room, coming from an HBCU means the individual is doubted, then add the individual’s profession. The path is not easy at all, but it is not impossible. It is paramount that an HBCU student go ten times as hard because no one can take away our work ethic, qualifications, and education. Those tasks were not simple, but they were humbling.
My favorite aspect of being an intern was being in a room filled with legends and having to pour extensive knowledge into the interns, players, and people just coming into the sports industry. Not many can say they sat down next to monumental people like Doug Williams, James “Shack” Harris, Mel Blount, Charles Davis, Bucky Brooks, Antoine Bethea, and many others. These extraordinary individuals pride themselves on the future of HBCUs being represented on the biggest stage possible. The special events on the itinerary allowed people to embrace New Orleans’s culture, and black history, and connect with knowledgeable professionals. Having the ability to shake the team owner of the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans, Gayle Benson, and be gifted the prestigious opportunity to sit in her suite at the Pelicans game was unforgettable. I had the pleasure of networking with several media entities such as CBS Sports, NFL Network, and Draft HBCU Players. In addition, I spoke with a significant person with the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans. This person is the Vice President of Production for both franchises, Shaneika Dabney-Henderson. She expressed her feelings on what the HBCU Legacy Bowl means to her. “What I love about the Legacy Bowl is that it presents opportunities to folks, and it exposes the industry to people that maybe they wouldn’t have gotten that exposure to.” Furthermore, she expressed her elation at seeing young individuals represent themselves on an immense level. “I see promise. First of all, if you achieved an internship, that means you already have been doing something right, and I that a lot of people really underestimate what the HBCU student can bring to the table… now all of these companies are getting to experience what a lot of us already knew.” The Career Fair wasn’t a disappointment because many companies were giving gems of knowledge to students because they wanted us to be better.
Finally, the game is bitter-sweet because you’re happy it is over because of the time it took to get to that moment, but at the same time, you grow close to the players, the staff, and the other connections you made, so it was a true blessing to be apart of this.