Celebrity presence expected ahead of centennial and city’s 2025 events

November 4, 2025

By: Randy Smith III, Sports Editor

Let the good times roll!  

The city of New Orleans will be a main attraction in the coming months with the Sugar Bowl and Super Bowl LIX (59) approaching. Hosting major events attracts visitors which means an economic boost for the city. Though it may increase traffic, for the most part, city leaders and residents seem to value the benefits over the challenges.  

Xavier is in a unique position to benefit from major upcoming city events and university administrators are in communication with several external companies to discuss hosting their events on Xavier’s campus grounds. Partnering with external companies leads to financial opportunities for the university, which then can lead to opportunities for students such as internships, entertainment, or professional experience. 

“These people are paying us. So, we can enfold that money back into the things we need for the institution,” said Curtis Wright, Xavier’s vice president of Student Affairs. 

As the city gets closer to the Super Bowl and as the centennial celebrations kick off, students can look forward to increased publicity for the university and exclusive celebrity-hosted events. 

“You can come to campus, but we want our students to have access to it for free,” Wright said.  

All of it ultimately benefits the student body. For example, Wright explains, that as part of the school’s partnership with Coca-Cola, this allows the company to commission an artist to do a ‘centennial campaign’ art piece, which will be featured on Coca-Cola trucks and possibly display cases at Walmart.  The revenue generated from sales from merchandise featuring the “centennial campaign” will go back to the school. 

Wright explains that administrators want to provide accommodation for the students and collaborators, so everyone can be satisfied. 

On Nov. 15, Xavier partnered with Baldwin & Co Coffee and Bookstore to host a conversation between renowned author Ta-Nehisi Coates and MSNBC anchor Joy Ann-Reed at the Convocation Center.  

Coco Gauff, the eight-time WTA champion, and Chad Johnson, the NFL six-time pro bowler, will host a celebrity basketball game at the Convocation Center in 2025. Further details about more celebrities arriving on campus are still being negotiated.  

The increase in events on and around campus may cause some inconvenience for students, faculty, and staff, administrator said. Moreover, annual city events like Mardi Gras will also bring more attention to the city which will affect off-campus commuters. The NFL and the New Orleans Super Bowl Host committee will collaborate to produce the festivities and week-long events such as the Super Bowl Host Committee parade and the Louisiana Culture Festival at the French Market.  

“There are going to be disruptions on campus,” Wright said. “There are going to be times where you cannot go on a side of campus because we are trying get things setup.”