Fall 2021 Featured Alumni Interview

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Q & A

When did you know that you wanted a career in sports?
I came to Madison with the idea of maybe wanting to be in sports but had no idea in what capacity. I also knew I wanted to be in some role that was around helping my community and helping people, whether that was in sports or not. My junior year at UW I was a community relations intern and I think this is when I realized I had a passion for social responsibility within sports. 

What does a typical day look like for you?
No two days are the same! As a Pirates Charities Fellow, my responsibilities range from game day events to strategic planning. During game days, we oversee the 50/50 raffle and host guests in our Pirates Charities suite. I have also taken over most of the responsibility of running our auctions. Mainly, I assist our manager and executive director of Pirates Charities in planning and executing our major fundraising events and anything else that comes up! 

​What have you learned about the sports industry during your time with the Pirates so far that you didn't know while in college?
This is my first experience with a professional sports team, so it has been great just to get some insight into how the professional sports world functions compared to the collegiate athletics world. At the professional level there aren’t as many restrictions and hoops to jump through and there are more resources readily available.

What made you get a passion for social responsibility in sports?
During my internship with Wisconsin Athletics, I was able to be part of some really cool moments and see the impact that Wisconsin Sports can have on kids in the greater Madison area. I think this is when I really realized that I have a passion for utilizing the platform of the sports industry to make a difference in my community.
 
What's the most rewarding aspect of working in social responsibility?
I think that this industry can create some awesome moments and have a special impact on people that really only sports can have. It's hard to put into words but sports has this unique ability to bring people together and give them together to believe in and cheer for all at the same time. I think with the rise of sports media and increased accessibility of athletes and teams, the influence that they hold has grown tremendously. I also think that with this influence comes a great opportunity for these athletes and teams to truly make a difference in their community. Social responsibility departments are able to use so many resources and bring it all together to make a huge impact. In just a few short months with the Pirates I have seen first-hand the magnitude of the impact that a team can have on its community, and I feel so lucky to be witnessing it here in Pittsburgh!!

What's your favorite UW memory? What about SBC memory?
So many fun memories it’s impossible to choose! One of my favorite memories at UW was being at the Wisconsin-Minnesota football game in 2019 when Zach Hintze kicked a 62-yard field goal. It ended up being my last game in Camp Randall as a student because of Covid, but it was a blast. And all of my favorite SBC memories are definitely from the trips we took. It was always fun to meet so many new people and get to spend time away from campus with all my friends.

What advice do you have for students trying to get into the sports industry?
The biggest advice I have is to reach out and connect with as many people as you can! People in this industry are always excited to connect and help however they can, and I have found that UW Alum are especially excited to help fellow Badgers. Don’t be afraid to talk to people in all different departments, it might help you realize a little better the direction you want to go in. Just be personable and genuine, and your passion will shine through. And more importantly, be humble and confident! Don’t be afraid to attend events alone and don’t ever compare your journey with somebody else’s. There is no right or wrong way to join this industry. The right thing will come along for you when it is supposed to. As somebody who JUST went through graduation/job hunt/moving across the country, feel free to reach out to me with ANY questions, or just to say hi!