Inside the Action
Rice students and alumni didn’t just watch the World Cup unfold — they helped make it happen.
By Andrew Bell
At Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, host of nine World Cup matches, three Owls played critical roles in staging the world’s biggest sporting event.
When Brandon Nimmers ’27 assembled the leadership team responsible for tournament operations, among those he recruited were Rice alumni Chaundra Frank ’00, ’22 and Josh Obregon ’23. Together, the trio managed the logistics of staging matches at Dallas Stadium and supported broader tournament operations across Dallas, one of the World Cup’s most important hubs. That included tracking hundreds of deliveries, equipment pallets and distribution operations as well as supporting functions ranging from broadcasting to medical services.
“To witness something of this magnitude come together and to know that Rice is part of it is nothing short of remarkable,” says Frank, a former student-athlete with degrees in economics, sport management and an MBA. For Obregon, “what made the experience even more meaningful was serving alongside fellow Rice alumni united by a commitment to excellence, collaboration and problem-solving.”
Although successful logistics operations mostly go unnoticed, Nimmers says from the moment crowds poured into Dallas Stadium, his team felt the payoff for their months of preparation. “You walk into the stadium on match day and 73,000 people start yelling — and it’s chills,” he says. “You think, ‘Oh my gosh, this is amazing.’”
A few of the Owls who landed FIFA-related internships:
Cielo Reyes ’26
FIFA Community Relations Intern
Major: Sport Management, Sports Medicine and Exercise Physiology
Reyes worked on accessibility initiatives, human trafficking awareness training, workers’ rights resources and the host committee’s human rights action plan, which outlined how Houston would address issues such as public safety, accessibility, and support for vulnerable populations before and during the tournament. “This kind of legacy work is what I hope to bring to communities in the future,” she says.
Charlie Bridgewater ’26
FIFA Operations Intern
Major: Sport Management
As an operations coordinator with the host committee, Bridgewater spent a year planning the FIFA Fan Festival, one of the largest public-facing components of the tournament. “A lot of the work happens long before the event itself and every detail matters,” Bridgewater says.
Miguel Martin Hernandez ’28
Broadcast Liaison Assistant
Major: Computer Science and Business
Fluent in four languages, Hernandez coordinated on-site logistics for major international media partners while using his computer science skills to streamline operational data and troubleshoot technical issues. His pinch-me moment: briefly walking alongside one of his idols, Cristiano Ronaldo. “Seeing him in person reminded me to remain humble, work harder than my talent and give my best in everything I do.”
Aneesh Depa ’29
Commentary Control Room Assistant
Major: Materials Science and Nanoengineering
Depa supported live broadcast operations by monitoring commentators’ audio systems, ensuring clear communication channels for uninterrupted transmission. “Working in a real-time environment gave me hands-on insight into how small changes can impact a global broadcast,” he says. “I never realized how interesting broadcast engineering can be.”
Pu Reh ’29
Broadcast Liaison Assistant
Major: Sport Management
Reh spent his days guiding international media partners to their broadcast positions inside Houston Stadium, explaining venue procedures and responding to operational needs. “From the moment I arrived, I was constantly moving,” he says. “I walked away with stronger organizational and communication skills and a deeper confidence in my ability to operate in high-pressure environments.”
Justin Wang ’29
360 Ingest Operator
Major: Sport Management
Wang captured, edited and uploaded 360-degree camera footage from all seven Houston matches, collaborating with on-site social media professionals as well as broadcast editors across the globe. “Just being at the World Cup was crazy enough; the idea of working there was beyond my wildest dreams,” Wang says.
From the Fall 2026 issue of Rice Magazine