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As he recalled his summer internship as a fan ambassador for his beloved Boston Red Sox, Adam Faberman ’23 shared an anecdote even he can hardly fathom.

The sport management major’s supervisors tasked him with transporting the Red Sox’s 2018 World Series trophy to a local community event. And he did so using his personal vehicle, securing the priceless hardware in his back seat.

“Looking back, it is as absurd as it sounds,” Faberman told the 75-plus attendees at the Sport Management Internship Forum held Oct. 3 in Turner Theatre. “And people at the event actually thanked me for being there.”

​As part of the Sport Management Department’s 400-hour internship requirement, 30 sport management majors gained real-world experience this summer with organizations across the sport industry. The internships occurred with professional sports teams, league offices, media companies, college athletic departments, communications agencies and non-profit organizations. The department offered a glimpse into how its students spent their summer months at the annual forum, which kicked off with Farberman having the ultimate Red Sox experience and chauffeuring the team’s ninth World Series trophy.

Photos of the Internship Forum are available on the .

The forum commenced with a panel discussion featuring a candid conversation with students sharing details about their internship experiences, how they landed their roles, and advice they have for students also interested in the sport industry. The hourlong panel included Brett Bailey ’23 (NASCAR), Lauryn Carlton ’23 (Chase Murphy Racing), Connor Cantalupo ’23 (Carolina Panthers), Colby Richardson ’23 (International Tennis Hall of Fame) and Faberman. Nick Ullian ’24, president of the Sport Management Society, moderated the conversation.

Among the most insightful stories was Cantalupo’s retelling of the time he drove a cut Carolina Panther player from the team’s training facility in South Carolina back to Charlotte. It was a bit “uncomfortable,” he recalled. Yet, overall, Cantalupo enjoyed working closely with his hometown team throughout training camp.

Faberman noted that while he is an avid Red Sox supporter, he wasn’t attending Fenway Park as a fan this summer. “You have to be patient when working with fans and attendees because you get all types of questions and responses. Some of them are really incredible,” he said. “You have to put your fandom aside. You are not representing yourself, you are representing the organization.”

Richardson pointed out that while he also enjoys tennis, his summer with the International Tennis Hall of Fame was about customer service, not matches, volleys and wins and losses. “It is important when working with customers that you are listening to their questions and concerns, then finding solutions to them,” Richardson said.

When asked for advice, the panel’s quintet noted the importance of LinkedIn, connecting with speakers who visit class, and learning the organizational structure of the companies you are interested in. And don’t forget to network, network and network some more.

For Sport Management Department Chair Cara Lucia, who provided the forum’s welcome, the annual event is an opportunity for reflection on the past summer, but also a chance for students and peers to learn from one another.

“Our Sport Management Internship Forum creates an environment to highlight amazing student experiences with various sport organizations,” she said. “The forum provides an opportunity for current students to learn more about the internship experience in a synergistic environment while networking with peers and faculty.

“Students emphasized the importance of having exposure to a segment of the sport industry, accessing a network of industry professionals, developing new skills that assist in moving them forward to meeting their career goals, and solidifying their aspirations to work in sport.”

Following the panel, the forum moved to Long Building where more than 20 students hosted presentations, utilizing digital posters and computer slides to spotlight their summer internships. The informal setting allowed students to interact casually and openly about the successes and challenges of working in sport.

“Each and every year, the annual internship forum truly showcases the amazing opportunities for and accomplishments of the students in our program,” Lucia said.

Student Presentations

Andrew Fish – ���ϲ����� Men’s Basketball
Andrew Hughes – Burlington Sock Puppets
Antonio White – Graham Sporting Goods
Ari Wister – Worcester Woo Sox Foundation
Bryce Jeske – Brightly
Cam Seefried – Wake Forest Athletics
Carson Fleece – Greensboro Grasshoppers
Christian Braun – Conscious Basketball
Gabriel Kessler – Philadelphia Union
Jack Cohen – Orleans Firebirds
Jake Sachs – Worcester Railers
Jordan Gower – USA Baseball
Macklin Williams – Weatherby’s Maine Fishing & Hunting Lodge
Justin Allen – ���ϲ����� Athletics – Ticket Office
Natalie Blalock – Middle Atlantic Junior Golf
Noah Zaret – Joe Favorito Sport Strategic Communications
Nolan Mark – WIT Contests
Olivia Lovell – Holly Springs Salamanders
Rachel Roberts – Veniceball, LLC
Simon Roach – Round Rock Express
Teddy Freeman – Rochester Red Wings
Tre’von Jones – ���ϲ����� Athletics – Facilities
Trevor Boehm – New Trier High School Athletics