THE SUPER BOWL IS HER PARTY
The NFL knew what it was getting itself into when it decided Minneapolis in February would be the setting for Super Bowl LII.
So did Shorewood native Andrea Mokros when she accepted the position to be vice president of communications and events of the Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee.
“It’s cold! We tried to showcase what the ‘Bold North’ is. You can’t hide February in Minnesota,” Mokros said. “So we’re leaning into winter instead.”
Barring an unforeseen snafu such as a wardrobe malfunction at halftime, it appears Mokros has been up to the task of hosting this subzero Super Bowl.
The ability to pay close attention to a plethora of details and moving parts is obviously among her considerable skill sets.
Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee CEO Maureen Bausch has marveled at Mokros’ multitasking capabilities.
“Andrea has incredible communications and logistics talent,” Bausch said. “However, with the Super Bowl Host Committee, she has had to handle responsibilities far beyond this and has done so with strength and expertise.”
By kickoff Sunday evening, Mokros estimates more than 1 million people will have attended the 10-day Super Bowl Live festivities presented by Verizon on Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis.
The celebration has included life-size snow globes, ice sculptures, live entertainment and a 750-foot zip line across the Mississippi River — all outdoors. The committee even brought in the American Birkebeiner International Bridge in 12 semi-tractor trailer loads from Hayward.
Mokros, 40, said this Super Bowl is inescapably, uniquely Minnesota, with details including establishing the Media Row in the Mall of America and taking journalists from afar ice fishing and on tours of Paisley Park, former home of Prince, the legendary late musician.
More than 10,000 people volunteered, including “hundreds” from Wisconsin, in roles ranging
from tour guides to chauffeurs, Mokros said.
Minneapolis is a small enough town that “celebrity spotting” and social media selfies with famous people have become full-time activities for the locals, she said.
Halftime entertainer “Justin Timberlake has basically been living in Minnesota this week,” Mokros said.
Mokros estimates the economic impact of the Super Bowl on the Twin Cities will surpass $400 million.
Oh, and yes, there will be a football game. The New England Patriots, with arguably the most arrogant of fan bases, will square off against the Philadelphia Eagles, with arguably the most obnoxious of fan bases.
The stadium has a capacity of 66,200, which is relatively small for a Super Bowl. The NFL dedicates 17% of the game tickets to each of the teams to provide for their fans.
“The good news is these are two cold weather teams, so they know how to dress,” Mokros said. “We’re going to kill them with kindness.”
Mokros built an impressive résumé that led to her Super Bowl gig. She previously served as special assistant to President Barack Obama and was the director of strategic planning for first lady Michelle Obama in the White House.
Mokros successfully managed a team responsible for the first lady’s many special appearances, including a NATO Summit in Chicago, the London Olympics and a trip to China.
Previously, she parlayed her degree in political science from the University of Minnesota into stints as the deputy chief of staff for U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton.
So, what will she do next in her career when the clock ticks to zero Sunday?
“I don’t know, but these things tend to work themselves out,” Mokros said.