Meet five undergraduate sport management students who grabbed hands-on learning opportunities to build their resumes, an important step to gain direct professional experience in the sports industry. Internships help students stand out within the sports field while establishing a critical networking component on their pathway to a career in sports. Multiple assignments and settings help students zero in on their area of interest in the field.
Kinder Dewoolfson
Hometown: Warrenton, VA
Kinder Dewoolfson worked at the Ion International Training Center as the summer camp director for their youth summer camps. She coached their synchronized skating teams, scheduling and teaching kids how to ice skate as well as running a camp and dealing with the administrative issues.
“I love watching the younger generation of ice skaters grow and develop. My SEP 271 class helped me approach coaching in a diverse light and react differently to the personalities of my staff and young athletes.”
Devon Furash
Hometown: Richmond, VA
Devon Furash worked for the Richmond Flying Squirrels Funn Bunch (fun with two ns for extra funn), with the marketing and promotions team. She scanned tickets, helped with giveaways, conducted on-field games between innings and threw prizes in the stands to fans.
“I love creating special and lasting memories for all people who come to a game at the Diamond. I love seeing kids’ faces light up when I ask if they want to play an on-field game. My favorite memory of my three years working for the Flying Squirrels is working the 2019 Eastern League All-Star game that was held in Richmond last year. It was by far the most rewarding and enriching sport/job experience I have had. CPASS helped prepare me by teaching me ways to create connections and communicate. This job has helped me realize what I want to do after school, how to get references and build better connections."
Ariana Burke
Hometown: Chambersburg, PA
Ariana Burke worked at Mylan Park in Morgantown. As a program intern at the Mylan Park Aquatic Center, she helped the office administrator with participants and parents. She met with parents and swim instructors to ensure that the children received the support they needed to become an amazing swimmer.
“I love interacting with the kids and seeing how much they improve each week. CPASS has helped me understand the importance of making a positive impact on kids, especially in a sports setting.”
Justin Gargano
Hometown: Old Saybrook, CT
Justin Gargano worked at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, New Britain Bees Baseball and WVU Athletics.
“At Nemacolin, my job was golf operations intern which involved running a day-to-day golf operation at a 5-star resort. My job was to check in guests with golf tee times, check out guests’ merchandise, and load on and off golf clubs in and off carts and clean golf clubs for guests.
For the New Britain Bees, I was a marketing and promotions intern. I would meet and greet fans and get fans to participate in promotions on the field during the middle of innings. I would come in on non-game days and make promotional posters. When needed, I would fill in as the mascot.
I just started my internship at WVU Athletics where I am an athletics marketing intern. All of the internships have helped me decide what path I want to take in sports. I have enjoyed my internships and CPASS classes have helped me become the best student and worker in the sports industry. My favorite memory from all my internships so far was getting to meet former Bachelor and Bachelorette contestants at Nemacolin while they were golfing.”
Nicolas Tomassilli
Hometown: Weirton, WV
Nicolas Tomassilli worked for the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders, with the video director. He would set up and breakdown equipment, handheld cameras, projectors, video boards, joe-poles, microphones, tripods, and MastRcam 8k, at practices and team meetings. His other responsibilities included running video cards and count players’ numbers on XOS. During practices he was assigned to different groups to film in practice periods, including the defensive line, special teams, 7 on 7s, O-line vs D-line, returners, 2-minute offense, WR vs DB and QB/Center exchange.
“My favorite thing about my internship is being a part of something greater. While all of us may have different daily wants, we are all shooting for the same goal, win it all. Being a part of that and doing my share to get us closer is truly special to me. My favorite memory is being on the first few episodes of hard knocks. It was my time to shine on TV and having people ask me about it was captivating.”