VOLUNTEER UPDATE

Thousands have volunteered to help with Super Bowl XLV, and more are needed

By Alex Branch/Fort Worth Star Telegram

Thursday, July 29, 2010 - 10:57am

Organizers of the 2011 Super Bowl in Arlington are gearing up for what will likely be the largest volunteer recruitment and training effort in the game’s history.

About 10,000 volunteers are needed to greet fans at the airport, pass out welcome bags at hotels and staff events for Super Bowl XLV.

The North Texas Super Bowl Host Committee has already collected a couple of thousand names and is building a database to handle official registration this spring.

In September, the committee turned to a veteran to manage the huge project.

Amanda Whitelaw, the committee’s volunteer-services manager, oversaw thousands of volunteers for the 2009 Super Bowl in Tampa, Fla.

But she may have an even bigger challenge this time.

In North Texas, the four host counties — Tarrant, Dallas, Denton and Collin — encompass 3,477 square miles, with events scheduled in each county.

"North Texas is one of the most widespread regional efforts that a Super Bowl host committee has ever undertaken," Whitelaw said. "We will reach out to people in all those four counties, that’s for sure."

The Super Bowl in Tampa used 6,400 volunteers, and February’s Super Bowl, in Miami, will need 8,000.

First-time challenges

Most cities that host Super Bowls have done it before. Miami has done it 10 times. Officials have a database of volunteers they turn to each time they host the big game.

North Texas will start from scratch.

"It is definitely unique, and I think that is one of the most exciting things for me," Whitelaw said. "We have a blank canvas. We are basically setting the bar for future host committees."

The bulk of the volunteer work will occur in the weeks leading up to the game, on Feb. 6, 2011. Each volunteer must work at least two four-hour shifts.

About 60 percent of volunteers will staff the NFL Experience, an interactive theme park at the Dallas Convention Center with games, autograph sessions, displays and a football card show.

Volunteers must undergo a background check and attend a training session, and will receive a shirt, jacket and hat that they get to keep.

But they won’t score tickets to the game.

"We’re being very upfront about that," Whitelaw said. "I think people are just excited to be a part of this. People are literally becoming a part of history — a Super Bowl in North Texas."

NBA All-Star Game

Registration will likely begin a month or two after the NBA All-Star Game at Cowboys Stadium on Feb. 14. About 5,000 people have sent in volunteer applications for that event.

The Super Bowl Host Committee isn’t worried about volunteer burnout, partly because the Metroplex has a population of more than 5 million, said Tony Fay, the committee’s director of communications.

"We love our football here," he said. "I think the All-Star Game will just get people more excited for the Super Bowl, when they see how big and grand that is."

The sour economy could be a factor. But organizers of the South Florida Super Bowl say that rather than hurt recruitment, it may have actually helped.

"We have people who are out of work and see this as a chance to meet people, network and find a new job," said David Silverstein, director of communications for the South Florida Super Bowl Host Committee. "It’s an opportunity for them."

Super Bowls attract a wide variety of volunteers, Whitelaw said. In Tampa, they ranged in age from 18 to 93.

One of their jobs to is inject local flavor into the festivities, but not all are local. Some people travel from across the country to volunteer. A few even come from overseas.

"We have a lady and her husband coming from Great Britain to volunteer," Silverstein said. "You get interest from everywhere."

Getting involved

Some area residents have already signed up.

Kris Smith of Coppell said she attended the Super Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., in 1993 and had "an amazing experience." She’s thrilled that North Texas will get to showcase itself at such an enormous event.

Her husband and son also plan to volunteer, she said.

"We just want to help represent North Texas and show visitors how helpful and friendly Texans can be," she said. "And, of course, I have some more selfish reasons, too. I’d like to check out all the great venues and concerts."