Many football fanatics across the country will be tuning in to watch Super Bowl XLVII on Feb. 3, but one ISU student will have the privilege of traveling to New Orleans himself to experience an internship for turf management.

Kevin Hansen, senior in horticulture, was selected for Toro’s Super Bowl Sports Turf Training Program. Hansen will be working with some of the most experienced men and women in turf management.

“To be honest, I don’t really care if they make me do the worst job there; I am just honored to be there,” Hansen said. “The amount of man power it will take to set up something like the Super Bowl has to be astronomical and I’m very excited to see what it entails.”

George Toma, who has assisted in the preparation of every Super Bowl field in history, will be among the staff.

Hansen, a Boone native, was selected out of 18 applicants nationwide and will be assisting the turf management crew in caring for the main field, as well as each team’s practice fields. 

In addition to his strong 500-word essay for the application, Hansen was also a top candidate due to his lengthy work experience in the area of turf management. Hansen has worked on parks and sports facilities in Coralville, Iowa, as well as professional sports facilities such as Principal Park in Des Moines, as well as Jack Trice Stadium.

An internship in 2012 at Lambeau Field, the home of the Green Bay Packers, is what made Hanson stand out from the competition. Hansen said that working at Lambeau Field was a great experience.

“He arrived at our organization with a good base of knowledge about the methods and management techniques often used in our industry,” said Allen Johnson, fields manager for the Green Bay Packers. “His ability to adjust to different group dynamics and get along with peers will help him in any future endeavors.” 

Hansen said that one thing that drew him to turf management was his love for both sports and the outdoors, and this profession was “the only thing I could think of that combined the two.”

Hansen also cited the quality people he has met along the way as a sign that he has made the right choice.

“Ultimately, I would like to end up in the NFL or collegiate world, but whoever wants to hire me is a good place to start,” Hansen said. “I am debating grad school as an option for next year as well.”

The internship at Super Bowl XLVII will surely be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Hansen and he hopes to learn as much as possible in the short time he has there.

“I think the thing I want to experience the most is just networking with the people that will be there,” Hansen said. “A lot of the top people in my industry will be there, and it is a great opportunity for me.”

Hansen left for New Orleans on Jan. 27 and will be returning Feb. 4.