Spartans of UD - Adam Steingraeber (C'21, MIM'23)

Spartans of UD highlights what makes the University of Dubuque special - the people.

Adam Steingraeber (C'21, MIM'23), an admission counselor at UD, recently returned from his fifth trip to the Super Bowl Experience with the Sport Marketing and Management Club. Over the years, he has worked as an area manager and, most recently, a zone manager at Super Bowl LIX. As an undergraduate student, Adam was a sport marketing and management major, president of the Sport Marketing and Management Club, member of football and lacrosse teams, and a Wendt Character Scholar. After he earned a bachelor of arts, Adam continued his education at UD to obtain a master in management - sport management degree.

What is the Super Bowl Experience?

"The Super Bowl Experience is the NFL's theme park that features interactive games, star player autographs, photos with Super Bowl rings and the Vince Lombardi Trophy, sponsorship activities, and exclusive merchandise from the NFL Shop. It is the ultimate Super Bowl week event with fun for all ages."

What were some highlights from your position at the Super Bowl Experience this year?

"A highlight this year was continuing to develop the relationships we have formed down there. The people who work at these events are truly inspiring individuals, so getting to learn and develop under them is very special. Secondly, seeing my own efforts pay off, earning more trust, responsibilities, and privileges."

Did you start attending the Super Bowl Experience as a student in the Sport Marketing and Management Club?

"Yes, I did! Dr. Kevin Cattani remains the official club advisor while I help where I can. I was part of the first group of UD Sport Marketing and Management Club members to attend. I started as an area manager while Gino Romano and Jake Niehaus, third president of the club, started as teammates at the Super Bowl LV Experience. We had three area managers and three teammates at the Super Bowl LVI Experience. We had four area managers at the Super Bowl LVII Experience. We had five area managers and two teammates at the Super Bowl LVIII Experience. This year we had a zone manager, three area managers, and four teammates at the Super Bowl LIX Experience. Everyone who has participated is a current member or an alumnus of the University of Dubuque Sport Marketing and Management Club."

What do you hope students in the Sport Marketing and Management Club will take away from their time at the Super Bowl Experience?

"This is a wonderful, hands-on experience for our students to grow their skills and expand their horizons on the NFL's biggest stage. I hope that they can become more self-aware of their management style, expand their strengths, improve their areas of weakness, and make some inspiring and meaningful connections along the way."

What is your favorite memory from your time as a student?

"It is a close tie. The first thing that comes to mind was being named captain and earning all-conference honors on the football team. The second, with the help of the Sport Marketing and Management Club's founding president, Joel Sweeney, we pulled off the miracle of the club's first trip to the Super Bowl LV Experience."

In your opinion, what makes the University of Dubuque unique?

"In my humble opinion, the thing that makes the University of Dubuque so unique is how everyone here supports the student first. I was able to participate in so many different things and they all built off of one another. It would've been easy for coaches, faculty, staff, and administrators to remain rigid, but they all worked together to get the best possible result for the students, and I will always be grateful for that."