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Boonton High School Business Academy students got an up close look at the inner workings of a professional sports team when they visited Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison on Monday, Oct. 6.
The 25,000-seat stadium, which opened 15 years ago, is home to the New York Red Bulls of MLS and the NJ/NY Gotham FC women’s squad.
The BHS contingent explored every “corner” of the venue, which also has played host to the United States National Teams as well as Ecuador, Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Colombia, Arsenal and Juventus.
First, the 40 students gathered in a suite for a 30-minute talk by sales and marketing professionals. From there, they met with the coach of a youth program before stops in the control room, gym and locker rooms. The field, naturally, was a major highlight.
“The tunnel to the field was a highlight,” said Jayden Colon, a sophomore. “It was the best. It’s magnificent. You walk through it and you see the Red Bulls logo on the seats.”
Freshman Nesim Atkas enjoyed the trip as well and liked seeing the areas of the stadium not seen by the general public.
“It was a really good tour,” Atkas said. “I’d like to do it again. We saw many things and got to sit on the players’ chairs. I’m a sports guy so it was a great experience.”
According to the Red Bulls’ website, “the arena is structured to create a distinct soccer atmosphere as fans in the front row are just 21 feet from the touchlines. Its dynamic roof is a curving structure that wraps the entire arena in an elegant metal shell to create an architectural statement of power and elegance.”
Ms. DeOrio, the BHS Business Academy Coordinator, felt the field trip was an excellent way to acquaint students with the inner workings of a professional sports team.
“The Red Bulls Sports Career Day trip showed students in the business academy that the field of sports employs more people of various business backgrounds than it does athletes and depends on all of those people to have a successful stadium and workplace,” said DeOrio.
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