Posted on Friday, August 09, 2024
Junior Wyatt Moore, a Sports Management major hoping to pursue a sports management career overseas, landed one step closer to making that a reality thanks to an opportunity to showcase his skills during a summer internship in Europe.
“While visiting the London headquarters of West Ham United FC, Partnership Manager Connor Nolan gave us a case study assignment regarding a fictional electronics company and a potential partnership with the team,” Moore said. “I had to give a plan of what I would do if I was the marketing team for that company. The experience was exciting because I got a chance to show what I have learned.”
Associate Sports Management Professor Dr. Clay Bolton said Moore’s presentation was given high marks by the manager.
“Connor was so impressed with Wyatt and his effort that he said, ‘Wyatt, when you get ready to graduate, you call me and we have a position for you at West Ham,’” he said.
Through this experience, Moore learned the importance of standing out from the crowd.
“When you can make yourself different from everyone else, that shows you are an independent thinker and know how to apply what you have been taught,” he said.
Moore was part of a group of students who traveled with the Sports Management Club for an internship course that took place in England and Scotland over an 11-day period.
“The purpose of the course was to allow students to tour England's football (soccer), rugby, aquatics and tennis venues, Scotland’s golf facilities and to experience the English and Scottish sports culture,” Dr. Bolton said.
On the world stage
During the seven-day stint in England, students participated in a cricket game, visited historic sites and received behind-the-scenes tours at prominent venues known around the globe, including England Rugby’s Twickenham Stadium, Chelsea Football Club’s Stamford Bridge Stadium, Crystal Palace Football Club’s Selhurst Park, the site used in the Apple TV show “Ted Lasso,” and the 2012 London Olympics Aquatic Center and Queen Elizabeth Park.
At several of the facilities, the group learned about the day-to-day operations from those who know it firsthand. One of their presenters was Gareth Bennett, event venue operations manager and chief steward for the Rugby Football Union.
“He shared a detailed presentation regarding preparation for a rugby match at the stadium, a concert or an event such as a vast religious service,” Dr. Bolton said. “Gareth provided vital insight into what it is like to coordinate with local law enforcement, transportation agencies and national security forces. He also discussed staffing issues, communication and the importance of planning well beyond the day of an event.”
To close their time in England, many students took advantage of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend a match at the All England Lawn and Tennis Club during the Wimbledon Championships.
“We were fortunate enough to get tickets to Court 1 about four rows back and walk around the grounds,” said senior JJ Fragoso.
For the final two days in Scotland, students helped manage the ladies’ small course at St. Andrews, the birthplace of golf, and attended the practice round of the Open Championship Golf Tournament at Royal Troon Golf Links in Ayrshire, Scotland.
“I will forever have the memories of being within feet of Tiger Woods and Scottie Scheffler as they were practicing for The Open,” said senior Parker Lovett.
Gaining new perspectives
The internship served as a transformational learning opportunity that not only helped students enhance their career portfolio but also become global citizens.
“I learned that there is a lot to explore in the world of sports outside of the United States and to always take advantage to see how other people live and compete across the globe,” Lovett said.
Junior Kyle Moore, who never traveled outside the U.S. prior to the trip, said the experience allowed him to see professional sports from the perspective of a U.K. spectator and not an American tourist.
“My favorite part of this trip was being immersed in the sports culture overseas, as it is vastly different from the culture in America,” he said. “I got to learn more about the business of sports and how operations work internationally. It has many similarities to the U.S.”
Fragoso, who along with the rest of the group met with executives in the industry, was surprised at some of the facts he learned about U.K. sports facilities.
“Every year teams replace their playing surfaces and place 93 to 95% real grass while the rest is synthetic turf spikes that help the grass create strong roots,” he said.
Sophomore Grace Bryson valued the one-on-one interactions with sports industry executives.
“We had the opportunity to ask these professionals informative questions about what they do and how they got to their position,” she said. “Dr. Bolton did a great job keeping us involved and providing us with great mentors to have connections with later in life.”
Senior Parker Floyd said the trip exceeded her expectations.
“Along with growing closer to my classmates while exploring a new part of the world, I left the trip with a newfound appreciation for the United Kingdom’s devotion to sport,” she said.
The trip was funded through the Louis and Mary Kay Smith Travel Grant at the college.
“This internship would not have been possible without the generosity of the Smith family who give our students the chance to have these types of experiences,” Dr. Bolton said.
Learn more about study away and internship opportunities on the Global Engagement website.
Class of 2024 Spotlight - Cooper Dolhancyk
Before graduating this past spring, Cooper Dolhancyk '24 spoke with us about how LaGrange helped him become more than just a student-athlete.
Discover what a LaGrange College education can do at http://l0jb.kongtiao11.com/.
Category: Academics, Students, Global engagement
Keywords: Internship, Athletics
