The Power of Teamwork

University of Michigan football fans are unique in their unwavering support and dedication. "All of our family and friends have ties to the team in one way or another, whether it's alumni, current students, or 'fandom' passed down generation to generation," said Tracey Duenas, a UM fan and longtime season ticket holder. And with 11 National Championships, 44 Big Ten Championships, and 3 Heisman Trophy winners, they have a lot to be proud of. But how exactly does the University of Michigan and its exclusive hospitality partner, Sodexo Live!, create an unforgettable experience for over 105,000 loyal Wolverines at every home game? According to Mike Koski, Assistant General Manager and Unit Controller, it's about "The Team, The Team, The Team."

The Team, The Team, The Team

Legendary University of Michigan coach Bo Schembechler never had a losing season in 27 years of coaching, and his now-famous locker room speech has become part of Wolverine culture.  The Sodexo Live! team members who work tirelessly to ensure game day runs smoothly have a similar mindset.

"The gameday experience here has changed over the past ten years," explained Koski. "This is my 11th season. Even standing-room-only tickets are some of the hardest tickets to get. But the one constant is that we have a strong core group of people, some of whom have been putting on football games since before I've been here."

Nicole McCullough has been with Sodexo Live! since 2010 and Director of Catering at The Big House since 2018. "A ton of pre-planning goes into every game. We come up with plans and backup plans," explained McCullough. The Catering team oversees 83 suites, the press box, TV networks, VIPs, and any football recruits who are guests at the game. "That's 6,000 to 10,000 people our catering team cares for at every game. But the spotlight is on our fabulous team members. So many of them have been here for years. We can rely on them to get the job done." 

"Keeping everyone on the same page takes a lot of detailed planning, meetings, and redundancy. And we all intersect," said Koski. "I'll pop into the kitchen to see if Chef needs help, or our catering managers can be found in concessions popping popcorn. Having knowledge or exposure to other aspects of the game means everybody can pull in the same direction when needed." 

The stadium's nonprofit partners are also a huge part of the team. At each game, the concession stands are staffed by 500 to 800 volunteers working to benefit their organizations. "We just couldn't do without them,” said Koski. “They help us just as much as we're able to help them. Their members change and rotate through, but their consistency and customer service level are exactly what we expect."

"Once the season concludes, we move on immediately," said McCullough. "In December, we start putting our ideas on the team whiteboard to kick off next season."