Business Affairs Does Their Part for Football Affairs

Behind every football experience is a whole team of people who make it happen.

Yes, it’s the person selling the popcorn and snacks, scanning fan merchandise, collecting tickets, and securing and keeping the area safe.

But who supplies the popcorn? Who makes sure the merchandise is properly branded? Who manages tickets? How is security coordinated?

For UNC Charlotte’s home football games, business affairs plays a huge role in all the details and makes each game possible, along with the support of every area on campus.

Attending a home game is a full experience from start to finish. When people first come to campus for a game, they’re looking for parking. Parking and Transportation Services collaborates with Athletics to provide a positive parking experience; such as directional signage to parking lots and attendants to assist with access to tailgate parking.

When it comes to the snacks and food all around the stadium, our campus partner Chartwells has it covered, both before and on game day. To aid in the football team’s training efforts, their catering team provides the team dozens of meals throughout the season. On game days, they execute a variety of tailgating events, serving groups such as Charlotte alumni, students and the visiting team, as well as serving the media, referees and other game management team members.

“We believe that food is an important element on game day,” said Sarah Lynch, Chartwells Higher Ed resident district manager. “We research concessions trends to ensure that we create a matching or excelling experience than our fans may experience elsewhere.”

Every tasty concession is worked out months in advance to plan for Charlotte’s six home games. This pre-work ranges from food sampling, vendor research, marketing campaigns and touring other venues to learn best practices, attending the National Association of Concessionaires expo, planning discussions with Charlotte’s athletic management team and more.

Nothing says Niner pride like branded merchandise. The Licensing office ensures all of it is up to par. They offer fans the opportunity to purchase Charlotte merchandise through the bookstore, online or from a retailer such as 704 Shop.

Rachel Skipworth, responsible for University Licensing and overseeing the relationship between the University and Barnes & Noble, works with several different licensees and retailers to make sure the University marks are used correctly so people will be excited to buy and wear the merchandise. With the supply chain issue stopping goods and supplies from making it to the U.S., Skipworth and bookstores around the country have made shifts.

“Barnes & Noble have been booking out their orders six to eight months in advance instead of three months,” said Skipworth. “This helps keep products on the shelves as much as possible. If they had not done this, the store would not have a ton of products.”

Skipworth reviews and approves all University-logoed merchandise that is sold or given out at the games. Skipworth also assists the bookstore, as needed, by serving the customers or helping make sure they are prepared for the games by assisting with set up.

Someone has to bring all these pieces together. Outside of business affairs is Cass Ferguson, assistant director of facilities and events, who ensures everything runs smoothly and cohesively on game day.

Ferguson sees him and his three full time staff members as conductors of the game, recognizing the importance of everyone working together.

“Communication between different units, even with academics, is crucial to game day,” said Ferguson. “It’s not just one department that puts it on: it’s everyone on campus.”

With the changes in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, security and short staff issues have to be strategically worked around, as well as smaller issues such as clean up and weather coordination with Emergency Management.

Niners have stepped up to the plate when staffing was low. Christy Jackson, senior director of reputation management and communication, heard about the staffing shortage and offered to volunteer for Charlotte’s recent home game on Thursday, Oct. 21.

“It’s also a great way to show my minor support and pride and support the football team and our student athletes,” said Jackson, “I love helping our hard working football staff and business services staff, getting out there, enjoying a game and also contributing and making sure it’s a success.”

Many Niners play an integral role in the success of UNC Charlotte football games. Behind every UNC Charlotte football affair is business affairs.

Story by Jordan Estabrook