Overview
Across eight official NFL Training Camps, The Agency 160/90 reach out to us regarding a project where USAA brought together active-duty military members for an unforgettable day of football, teamwork, and competition. The “Battle at the Combine” activation let service members step into the cleats of a pro athlete by running drills, scoring points, and competing for team glory.
This was a fully interactive, locally hosted game system that mimicked the NFL Combine. It was designed to honor service members while giving them an authentic on-field experience.
The Experience
Registration
- Participants signed up on iPads and were placed on teams
- Each player received a unique profile used throughout the day
The Drills
- Five combine-style challenges:
- 40 Yard Dash
- 3 Cone Drill
- Wide Receiver Gauntlet
- Quarterback Accuracy Throw
- Broad Jump
- Coaches at each station selected the participant and entered their results via iPad
- All data synced locally to a server running on-site
The Reveal
- At day’s end, all participants gathered for a live leaderboard reveal
- Individual and team winners were announced, with top teams winning a trip to an NFL game during Salute to Service month
Brand Storytelling in Motion
- Respect for Service – Centered around military participation and competition
- NFL Tie-In – Genuine drills and locations created authenticity
- Offline Ready – Local server ensured smooth operation without reliance on Wi-Fi
- Teamwork – The activation promoted camaraderie, pride, and high-energy engagement
What Made It Special
🏈 Real Combine Feel – Legit drills combined with NFL facilities created an experience to remember
🎖️ Mission-Driven – Direct alignment with USAA’s support for the military
🖥️ Custom Software – Coaches could search and select players, ensuring a streamlined process
Results
- 8 NFL cities and hundreds of active-duty participants
- All data stored and processed locally, ensuring 100 percent uptime
- End-of-day ceremonies added emotional resonance and excitement
- Created buzz across the bases and social channels
How It All Worked (In Plain English)
- iPads ran a custom web app hosted on a local server
- Coaches accessed a dashboard to search participants and input scores
- A final scoreboard compiled data to show team and individual winners
- The system was built to run without internet connectivity
Conclusion
“Battle at the Combine” brought the NFL to the military and the military to the field. USAA delivered more than just a branded moment. It created an elite, empowering experience that honored service through sport.
