Buffalo, NY - Hunter May '27 has watched the NFL Draft for years. This spring, he worked it.
"As someone who has watched the Draft every year, getting a behind-the-scenes look gave me a whole new appreciation for what it takes to make it run," said the sport management major. "What you see on TV and what happens behind the scenes is drastically different."
May was one of eight Canisius University students selected to support operations at the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, PA, where they stepped into roles ranging from event logistics to crowd management at an event that draws hundreds of thousands of fans each year.
The opportunity came by way of alumnus Derek Colburn MBA '24, MS '26, an event operations manager at Allied Universal Event Services, who recruited students for the multi-day draft.
"They endured some long days and challenging situations but the students remained positive, worked hard and stuck through it all," said Colburn, who holds an MBA and a master's in sport administration from Canisius. "Their dedication and professionalism were truly impressive."
For May, the experience reinforced a key lesson from the classroom: the shift from fan to professional.
"When you're part of the staff, you're not there as a fan. You're there to make sure everyone else has a great experience," he said. "It changes your perspective completely."
Experiences like the NFL Draft are a hallmark of Canisius' sport management program, where students study the business of sports, from marketing and sponsorships to analytics and operations, while also gaining hands-on experience through internships and practicums.
At the graduate level, Canisius' sport administration program builds on that foundation, preparing students for leadership roles across the industry. Through coursework in areas such as intercollegiate athletics, compliance, sport operations and sport leadership, students develop the expertise and connections needed to advance in the field.
"Opportunities to work at the NFL Draft don't happen by accident," said Shawn O'Rourke, PhD, dean of the Division of Business, Communications and Health Studies. "They're the result of strong relationships with alumni and industry partners, along with a commitment to giving our students real-world experiences that prepare them to lead in their careers."
The opportunities extend well beyond a single event. Buffalo is home to professional franchises including the NFL's Buffalo Bills and the NHL's Buffalo Sabres, which offer students access to one of the country's premier sports markets. This hands-on approach is complemented by a network of more than 1,400 Canisius alumni from the sport management and sport administration programs, now working across the sports industry in roles at the Nashville Predators, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Hurricanes, New York Giants, Chicago White Sox and more.
For Hunter, that combination of classroom learning and real-world opportunity is already paying off.
"Having a Canisius alumnus recruit for something like the NFL Draft shows you never know where you can find a connection with people."
