PHS grad serves as "Human GPS" for Superbowl

By Lydia Beers
Staff Writer

INDIANAPOLIS — Plymouth High School 2010 grad and current Indiana University Purdue University of Indianapolis sophomore Travis Lee was on the front lines of the gametime action Sunday. As many Indianapolis-area college students did, Lee eagerly applied for a SuperBowl job online in November, submitting a general application for one of the 200-500 jobs available to the public. After a brief interview process, Lee and other applicants were handed the opportunity of a lifetime — the chance to rub shoulders with celebrities and sports stars during one of the biggest sporting events in the nation.

"I worked for NFL partner transportation, transporting Pepsi, Nike, Motorola, (and other companies') CEOs, VPs and COOs," said Lee.

Lee was a self-described "human GPS," riding alongside the driver of charter buses. His job was to help the driver be in the right place at the right time — transporting people from their hotels in Carmel to downtown Indianapolis for tailgate parties, honors ceremonies, and of course, the game.

Before game day, Lee and other workers went through two days of extensive training. They were introduced to their supervisors and given rules: no pictures or autographs with any celebrities, stay professional and don't do anything in uniform that you wouldn't want to get back to the NFL commissioner. Lee also spent the whole day Saturday driving all over Indianapolis and the surrounding areas, practicing the routes he and the bus driver would take the next day.

Although the city was busier that Lee had ever seen it — "people were walking everywhere, there were a lot of intoxicated people, and police were everywhere directing traffic" — the highlight of his day was meeting celebrities.

Lee met and spoke with Pauly D of the reality TV show Jersey Shore, rapper 50 Cent, and Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew.

"It was just an exciting time downtown," said Lee. "It was a great opportunity and I'll probably never have the opportunity to do something like that again."

Since Lee was working during the game, he didn't actually get to see it.

"I recorded it at home," said Lee, adding with a laugh, "(But) it was definitely worth it, because I'm not a Patriots fan!"

Reprinted by permission of the Pilot News