Dear Tulane Community:
More than 100,000 visitors have already begun flocking to New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX, to be held at the Caesars Superdome this Sunday. Whether you're a football fan or not, this is an opportunity for New Orleans to shine. Many Tulanians have been instrumental in working hard behind the scenes to produce one of our nation's most iconic sporting events, while also showcasing our inimitable culture, spirit, and hospitality to the world.
The official Super Bowl LIX logo is everywhere — and it was designed by a Tulanian. The distinctive pattern renders the Roman numerals and the Lombardi Trophy in the intricate beading style used by Mardi Gras Indians (or Black Masking Indians, as some within the community prefer to be known). That's no accident: it's based on a hand-sewn design by "Queen" Tahj Williams of the iconic Golden Eagles tribe, a graduate of Tulane's School of Professional Advancement.
Tulane MBA graduate Marcus Brown, executive vice president and general counsel at Entergy, took on the herculean task of serving as Super Bowl Host Committee chair. In this role, he coordinates with a diverse array of critical stakeholders including the New Orleans Saints, the New Orleans Pelicans, the NFL, the city, and the state. It's worth noting that he traces his impressive team-building skills back to his formative experience at Peabody Magnet High School in Alexandria, Louisiana, where he played on the school's first state championship-winning basketball team.
Rather than focusing solely on Super Bowl weekend, Marcus and the host committee have organized their strategy around creating a lasting positive impact for local residents. They aim to harness the event's significant economic impact to drive long-term growth and uplift the local community with workforce development programs, sustainable infrastructure upgrades, and support for small businesses. Through a program called Impact 59, a coalition of foundations will award $3.5 million to non-profits in the region. This is happening in tandem with Tulane's historic revitalization of the downtown campus and surrounding neighborhoods into a hub for innovation and bioscience.
Given Tulane's rich history with the Super Bowl, the extensive contributions of Tulanians to football's biggest show aren't surprising: three out of the first 10 Super Bowls took place in the old Tulane Stadium. As quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, NFL legend and Louisiana native Terry Bradshaw won his first Super Bowl ring right here on our uptown campus. Earlier this week, we had the opportunity to honor him on the Berger Family Lawn, when state and local officials presented him with a proclamation declaring Terry Bradshaw Day in Louisiana. You can catch highlights from this event on the FOX Super Bowl LIX Pregame Show.
As a university president, institutional neutrality precludes me from choosing a favorite team in the Super Bowl, but it might be worth mentioning that I was born and raised in Philadelphia. Whether you're cheering on the Chiefs, the Eagles, or spending your Sunday attaching sequins to your Mardi Gras costume, I hope you'll join me in thanking the many Tulanians who have dedicated their time and talents to producing one of the biggest sporting events in the world.
