Sports Analytics Students Predict Super Bowl, Super Bowl Trivia, Winter Storm Thank You and more

February 5, 2026
Categories: Niner Insider
John Tobias

Editor’s Note: The Super Bowl takes place this Sunday, Feb. 8. Give our Super Bowl trivia a shot below.

Sports Analytics Students Predict Super Bowl LX Outcome

Super Bowl LX features a matchup between the NFL’s best scoring defense, the Seattle Seahawks, and the New England Patriots, led by quarterback and MVP candidate, Drake Maye. Students taking John Tobias’ Intro to Sports Analytics broke down the data to determine the team with the edge.

what you need to know: faculty and staff

  • Staff Employee of the Year Awards: 2026 Staff Employee of the Year award nominations are extended until Wednesday, Feb. 11. Recommend a colleague for this honor in the categories of Devotion to Duty, Innovation, Human Relations, Community and Public Service, and Safety and Heroism.
  • Student Employment Update: Beginning summer 2026, students will be eligible to work up to 40 hours per week during the summer, regardless of their summer course load. This policy update reflects Charlotte’s ongoing commitment to supporting students’ financial well‑being and offering more flexible pathways to success. Learn about student eligibility for this new student work option.
  • Lacrosse Season Begins: The second season of Charlotte women’s lacrosse begins at noon, Saturday, Feb. 7, as the 49ers face Vermont at Jerry Richardson Stadium. Admission is free to home lacrosse games.
  • Girls and Women in Sports and Stem: Celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports and STEM from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Honeywell Headquarters in Uptown Charlotte. Admission is free for girls in grades 3-6. The deadline to register is Friday, Feb. 13.
  • Package Delivery Update: Mail and package services has created a new package tracking form to better alert the office when a package isn’t delivered as expected. Mail and package services is not responsible for packages delivered by shipping services outside USPS and UPS. When placing Amazon orders for campus addresses, please do not select “same day” or “next day” shipping to allow mail services to track and recover packages.
  • Financial Aid Changes: New federal financial aid changes are expected to take effect Wednesday, July 1. While details are still emerging, Charlotte is committed to keeping our students informed. Financial aid updates can be found on Niner Central. 
  • Record Breakers: Track school records fell at the Bob Pollock Invitational held recently at Clemson University. Zak Freeland, junior cross country distance runner, became the first 49er in school history to run a sub-four-minute mile. The men’s 4x400m team — Tal Hamel, Chase Harrison, Jordan Polk-Webb and Michael Rice Jr. — set a new school record as well.

what you need to know: students

  • Financial Aid Changes: New federal financial aid changes are expected to take effect Wednesday, July 1. While details are still emerging, Charlotte is committed to keeping our students informed. Financial aid updates can be found on Niner Central.
  • Student Employment Update: Beginning summer 2026, students will be eligible to work up to 40 hours per week during the summer, regardless of their summer course load. This policy update reflects Charlotte’s ongoing commitment to supporting students’ financial well‑being and offering more flexible pathways to success. Learn about student eligibility for this new student work option.
  • Table During NNG: Niner Nation Gives, Tuesday, March 31, through Thursday, April 2, is UNC Charlotte’s 49-hour day of giving — and student orgs can be a part of it. Fill out the student org interest form by Tuesday, Feb. 10, to attend the mandatory training Wednesday, Feb. 11.
  • Spring Commencement Bell Ringers: The Dean of Students Office is accepting applications for Spring Commencement bell ringers through 11:45 p.m., Sunday, March 15. Applicants must have a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA and be in good disciplinary standing.
  • Graduate Research Symposium: The Graduate Research Symposium is set for Monday, April 6, in the Popp Martin Student Union. Abstracts are due Sunday, Feb. 15. Learn more about this opportunity to gain professional experience and present research.
  • Package Delivery Update: Mail and package services has created a new package tracking form to better alert the office when a package isn’t delivered as expected. Mail and package services is not responsible for packages delivered by shipping services outside USPS and UPS. When placing Amazon orders for campus addresses, please do not select “same day” or “next day” shipping to allow mail services to track and recover packages.
  • Rocket League Wins Big: The Charlotte Esports Rocket League team secured the first tournament championship in program history at the National Esports Collegiate Conference Division II Fall Championships.
  • Record Breakers: Track school records fell at the Bob Pollock Invitational held recently at Clemson University. Zak Freeland, junior cross country distance runner, became the first 49er in school history to run a sub-four-minute mile. The men’s 4x400m team — Tal Hamel, Chase Harrison, Jordan Polk-Webb and Michael Rice Jr. — set a new school record as well.

the difference is charlotte

Staff that helped clean up campus during snowstorm

Two winter storms in two weeks? After an ice storm followed by around 11 inches of snow — the largest snowfall the Charlotte region has seen in nearly 20 years — our campus teams once again showed what makes this community special. Thanks to the incredible staff who kept campus running: clearing walkways, keeping buildings warm, supporting students and ensuring essential services never stopped. 

upcoming events: students

Charlotte women's lacrosse

The second season of Charlotte women’s lacrosse begins at noon, Saturday, Feb. 7, as the 49ers face Vermont at Jerry Richardson Stadium. Admission is free to home lacrosse games.

  • Career and Internship Fair: Network with employers and explore internship opportunities at the Spring Career and Internship Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday, Feb. 13, in the Barnhardt Student Activity Center.

professional development: faculty and staff

  • Submit Now: The deadline to submit proposals to the 2026 AI Summit is 11:59 p.m., tonight, Thursday, Feb. 5. Don’t miss this opportunity to share your imaginative ideas on AI in teaching and learning.
  • Concur Training: Register for the Concur for Purchasing Card (non-travel) virtual training at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 10. Registration is available on the learning and development portal. 
  • OUR Proposals: The Office of Undergraduate Research is accepting submissions for mentored project proposals and mentored community partner project proposals for the 2026 OUR Fall Research Program.
  • Volunteers Needed: The Levine Scholars Program is seeking a faculty or staff volunteer to accompany the incoming class of scholars on a 23-day expedition with the National Outdoor Leadership School during summer 2026. To apply, submit a letter of interest and resume to Heather Smith, LSP faculty director, by Sunday, March 1.

to-do list: faculty and staff

  • Niner Insider Trivia: Super Bowl LX is this Sunday. Test your knowledge of the big game in today’s Niner Insider Trivia.
  • Shop Orchids This Weekend: The Charlotte Botanical Gardens’ Valentine’s Day Orchid Sale takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 7, and Monday, Feb. 9, at McMillan Greenhouse. Want to learn more about orchids? There is an intro to orchids class starting at 8:30 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 7. The class is $20.
  • Connect with Nature: The Botanical Gardens offers two signature events free to faculty and staff to help you connect with nature. The next Gratitude in the Gardens Walk is from noon to 2 p.m., Friday, Feb. 6; the next Nature Therapy Walk is from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Feb. 7. Registration is required for both events.
  • Spring Commencement Bell Ringers Needed: The Dean of Students Office is accepting applications for Spring Commencement bell ringers. Faculty and staff, please encourage graduating students to apply for this prestigious honor.

to-do list: students