BGSU students help design one-of-a-kind athletics-themed box now seen by more than half a million people online

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – Two Bowling Green State University students recently had the opportunity to showcase their work on a national stage after helping to design a one-of-a-kind box for sports influencer and Super Bowl-winning coach Jon Gruden.

Seniors Bryce Keen and Andrew Spade, both pursuing degrees in visual communication technology, helped produce the intricately designed BGSU-branded box packed full of University apparel and memorabilia. BGSU Athletics then sent the box to Gruden, famously known for his unboxing videos.

In the video, Gruden immediately commented on its design, calling it “beautiful.”

“The fact that thousands of people have seen a project I was so involved in helping to create is incredible,” Keen said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to be so deeply involved in the project from start to finish.”

Spade shared a similar sentiment.

“It was really cool to see something I was a part of being opened on this huge platform,” Spade said. “In addition to representing our co-op and Bowling Green, it was a unique learning experience.”

The project is a prime example of collaboration in action, showcasing the many benefits of industry and higher education working together to provide students with relevant learning experiences.

Derek van der Merwe, vice president for athletics strategy and BGSU director of athletics, presented the initial idea to Donna Trautman, Ph.D., an associate professor in visual communication technology.

Knowing that two VCT students were completing co-ops at Dynamic Dies, Inc., a leading packaging company in Holland, Ohio, that has long supported the University, Trautman proposed the project to the company. 

Their leadership was immediately on board, and they donated their time and efforts to complete the project.

“This project is a wonderful example of how industry and academia can come together to create meaningful, real-world learning opportunities for students,” Trautman said. “I give a lot of credit to Derek and Athletics for recognizing the value our VCT program and students could bring to this project. We’re also deeply grateful to Dynamic Dies for embracing this collaboration and giving our students the chance to play such a pivotal role in the final product.”

The students and Dynamic Dies teamed up to create two boxes. The inner box featured photos of several Falcons greats, including Phil Villapiano, a Super Bowl champion linebacker, Olympic champion Dave Wottle, Harold Fannin Jr., recently drafted by the Cleveland Browns and others.

As Gruden pulled apparel out of the box, viewers could see glimpses of the panoramic photo of Doyt L. Perry Stadium on the inside of the box – intentionally included to enhance the box’s uniqueness. 

The outer box, meant to protect the inner box, featured Bowling Green’s iconic orange-and-brown color scheme. Gruden, who is from Ohio, immediately recognized it.

“Innovation happens when you bring the right people together around a great idea,” van der Merwe said. “This project gave our students the chance to take what they’ve learned in the classroom and apply it in a way that reached a national audience. That’s what real-world learning at BGSU is all about.”