SDSU Faculty Members Contribute Talent to 2017 Super Bowl LI

Bryan Ransom

Bryan Ransom, director of Athletic Bands for the School of Music and Dance, and Jay Sheehan, production manager for the School of Theatre, Television and Film, have taken on additional roles outside of campus to help assist in this year’s Super Bowl LI.

This is the 16th Super Bowl that Ransom has organized and coordinated the planning, staging and movement of large groups on the field for the halftime performance.

“There are elements of moving people around, moving large groups around (that translate to marching band). From the cast to the stage crew, the field team members that push the stage, that’s really similar to how I manage the marching band,” said Ransom.

Ransom said that this year’s Lady Gaga performance is likely to be one of his most memorable, second only to the halftime performance at Super Bowl XLI (41) featuring Prince.

Jay Sheehan

For Sheehan, this is his first Super Bowl as the technical director of the GameDay Fan Plaza. In addition, he is coordinating elements for all six stadium entrances including massive truss structures and generators. The GameDay Fan Plaza includes three stages with nine performing art groups.

Sheehan has worked three other Super Bowls in the past where he produced player parties throughout the weekend.

“This is the first year that I actually get to be in the stadium (for the game), so it’s an exciting time,” said Sheehan.

Translating it to the classroom

Ransom and Sheehan have been in Houston much of January, but have been working with their respective Super Bowl teams for most of the last year preparing for Sunday’s game. They will return to SDSU with the first-hand experience they gain from professional growth opportunities. Their experience translates back to lessons in the classroom and emphasizes applied technique. Further, it illustrates for students career options in the arts.

“It’s the opportunities that we are able to bring back to the classroom for our students that has been what they are really excited about, when we get to go out and do these projects and bring what we call observational learning into the process,” said Sheehan.

The content within this article has been edited by Lizbeth Persons.