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A few weeks after helping ���ϲ����� Sports Vision celebrate its first College Sports Media Award – and a year removed from selling merchandise for the famously entertaining Savannah Bananas –  is having another “pinch me” moment. The sport management major from Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania, has landed what he calls his dream internship: working as a Phillies broadcast intern with NBCUniversal in Philadelphia.

For Katz, this summer has been a masterclass in sports broadcasting. Each day at Citizens Bank Park – or Wells Fargo Center when the Phillies are on the road – he shadows a different role within the Phillies broadcast team, observing how some of the best professionals in the industry operate under the pressure of live television.

“I still can’t believe I’m here,” Katz said. “Every day, I pinch myself knowing how lucky I am to call this place home for the summer.”

While Katz’s main responsibility is to learn, he’s also completing a research project as part of his internship requirement at ���ϲ�����, examining how sports betting is shaping real-time storytelling.

The rising senior has regularly picked the brains of the Phillies broadcasting crew about what the future of storytelling might look like. Additionally, he conducted an in-depth interview with a Cincinnati Reds producer who broadcasts for FanDuel Sports Network. During the conversation, they discussed sports betting and sports storytelling, what it means to be on a FanDuel-branded network, and even Elly De La Cruz’s abilities as a defender. Katz hopes to gather more industry perspectives before compiling his final presentation.

Networking has been another summer highlight. Katz said Citizens Bank Park’s press box cafeteria – famous among reporters for its food – has become a great place to trade stories and build relationships with respected voices in the industry. He’s already shared conversations with MLB writer Howard Megdal, members of the San Diego Padres broadcast team, and the Chicago Cubs play-by-play announcer. He even makes a point to chat with the performer behind the Phillie Phanatic mascot before games – just one more way to connect with everyone involved in the production.

Katz said he always carries business cards, determined that anyone he meets leaves with one.

The internship aligns perfectly with Katz’s career ambitions. His ultimate dream? Directing the Super Bowl – the broadcast of all sports broadcasts. “Only about 10 or 12 people have ever done that,” Katz said. “But I’m learning so much about storytelling and handling chaos in the moment that I really believe nothing can stop me.”

Looking back on his own internship search, Katz offers simple advice: “Apply to everything you can, greet people by name, and smile.”

Katz landed his Phillies internship through SmartRecruiters.com, beating out hundreds of other applicants, and he explained that perseverance makes all the difference. “One person taking a chance on you can change everything,” he said.