The Brenau University competitive cheer and dance teams had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Approximately 35 current and alumni student-athletes, along with head cheer coach Krista Britt, head dance coach Ashley Kastner and assistant coach Kaylynn Samples, performed during both the pregame festivities and halftime show.

During the pregame activities, the Brenau student-athletes, coaches and alumni held the American flag on the field as Gladys Knight sang the national anthem. Afterward, they rushed back to the World Congress Center for costume changes and came back at halftime to be part of the “fan cast” cheering for halftime performer Maroon 5 and special guests Big Boi and Travis Scott.

Seven rehearsals preceded gameday: four at the World Congress Center and three at Mercedes-Benz with the performers.

The three rehearsals at the stadium allowed for a great deal of interaction with the performers. One rehearsal fell on Brenau sophomore cheerleader Lydia Marsh’s birthday, and Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine sang “Happy Birthday” to her during rehearsals.

Britt was approached to be part of the programs by representatives from Touchdown Productions, which Brenau cheer and dance worked with on Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, a 2016 Ang Lee movie filmed in Atlanta.

Britt said she was “incredibly thankful” for both opportunities from Touchdown Productions, and she hopes to continue to build the relationship between the company and Brenau Athletics in the future.