David Wintergrass, NFL Senior Director of Events and Creator of NFL On Location, delivered a presentation to a group of about 50 students in the William H. Pitt Center Board Room on the campus of Sacred Heart University on April 22.

The hour-long presentation covered everything from marketing the NFL brand to the requirements of starting a new business.

Wintergrass is entering his 30th season with the NFL, having spent his first twelve seasons with the New England Patriots organization before making the jump to the league office in 1993.

"I've been very fortunate to be part of arguably the most popular sport in the United States," said Wintergrass. "It's not an easy business to get into, but once you're in, it's very rewarding."

Among Wintergrass' main responsibilities are putting together packages for fans and corporate groups to come to the NFL's major events including the Super Bowl, Pro Bowl, Draft, and the International Series Game in London. Included in these packages are tickets, hotel accommodations, gift baskets, and parties.

"Everybody has going to some of these events on their bucket list," he said. "We do it all to make it simple one-stop shopping."

Some of the benefits for fans obtaining these packages directly from the NFL, according to Wintergrass, are the "unique access, authenticity, and peace of mind" which other broker companies can't offer.

One of the challenges that Wintergrass and his department are facing, is coping with the current global financial crisis.

"[The NFL] just like every other person and corporation in the United States has to adjust," said Wintergrass. "People are being wise about spending their dollars and we have to be creative about how to get those folks great value for what they spend."

According to Wintergrass, despite the poor economy, all of the packages were sold last year and there are already "many renewals" for this season.

In fact, the NFL Draft was held at Radio City Music Hall last Saturday and roughly 3,000 people were in attendance. "It's our biggest offseason event; it's the kick-off to our season," said Wintergrass of the draft. "Every team is 0-0 and they're ready to go. [The draftees] are the guys that are going to be the stars of the future."

In the days leading up to the draft, Wintergrass and his crew transform Radio City from a music hall into a television set which audiences see on ESPN and the NFL Network.

"There's a good four months of work that goes into it and a real concentrated effort the week before to build up the facility, credential the media, set up the television networks, and then it will unfold on Saturday," he said.

Wintergrass was also heavily involved in the NFL's decision to expand internationally by playing the first regular season games overseas in London's Wembley Stadium. He also said that there have been internal discussions about playing more games overseas. It has been reported that NFL executives are having discussions about playing the Super Bowl in London.

"It's been tremendous for our sport," said Wintergrass. "The folks in the UK have welcomed us with open arms. Wembley Stadium seats approximately 80,000 and we sell it out basically right when we put it on sale."

Although the Pro Bowl, which has been held in Hawaii for the past 30 years, will be held in South Florida this season, Wintergrass had nothing but good things to say about Hawaii as the game's host state and said that the Pro Bowl will return to Honolulu in the next year or two.

"Hawaii has been tremendous," he said. "It's been our home away from home. The players enjoy going there and it's been a great host for the game."

In addition to discussing his responsibilities and all that goes into marketing the NFL brand, Wintergrass also offered some valuable pieces of advice for those students interested in pursuing a similar career.

"Make sure it's something you really want to do and make sure you know what goes on behind the scenes," he said. "While you're in school, do other things that are related to the field to make yourself stand out on a resume."

"I got into this business because I answered three rejection letters for internships out of literally hundreds. I started to talk to the people and got offered internships at all three of those places. I wound up picking the Patriots and 30 seasons later, I'm still here."