From preparing the field and assisting with in-game promotions to working in concessions and the ticket office, Nicholas Kowal experienced nearly every part of operating a professional baseball team this summer. The rising Holy Cross senior interned with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, gaining hands-on experience while exploring his goal of building a career in sports.Kowal, a communication major from Wyandotte, Michigan, discussed his summer in Allentown, Pennsylvania, the lessons he learned and how Holy Cross prepared him to recognize where help was needed and step forward.

What is your year at Holy Cross, your major and your hometown?

I am a rising senior from Wyandotte, Michigan. I am studying communication with minors in Sport, Culture and Formation and Business.

How did you find and secure this internship? What interested you about this particular opportunity?

I found the Game Day Internship Program through a job board called TeamWork Online. Having grown up as a Philadelphia sports fan, I recognized the IronPigs logo and applied. This internship ended up being the perfect opportunity for me because it allowed me to see all that it takes to operate a professional baseball team while gaining hands-on experience in different roles.

What did a typical day or week look like for you? What were some of your primary responsibilities?

In Minor League Baseball, teams play six-game series. Because of this, when the IronPigs were in town, I would often work six consecutive days, usually arriving at the stadium around 4:15 p.m. and leaving around 10:30 p.m.One unique aspect of this internship was that I was assigned a different role at random each day. Some of my responsibilities included working with the grounds crew, helping the promotions and entertainment team, managing concessions and working in the ticket office.

What is one project, assignment or experience from the internship that stands out to you? What made it especially meaningful or valuable?

While it was not officially part of the internship, one especially valuable experience was being able to sit down with and observe IronPigs radio broadcaster Sam Jellinek. Because sports broadcasting is a career I would like to explore, having the opportunity to ask him about his career and the sportscasting industry was invaluable. I was also able to watch him work in an on-air environment, an experience for which I could not be more grateful.

What have you learned through this experience, both about your field and about yourself?

One thing this internship allowed me to recognize more fully about the sports industry is the importance of hard work and perseverance. Before every game, the other interns and I had an opportunity to hear from full-time IronPigs employees. Many of their messages focused on starting in a smaller role, such as an internship, and working your way up. In an industry as small and interconnected as sports, putting your head down, working hard and advancing through the ranks are nonnegotiable.In terms of what I learned about myself, I discovered the importance of keeping an open mind. While I am interested in pursuing sports broadcasting or analytics, this internship allowed me to see some of the many other career opportunities available in sports.

How has Holy Cross helped prepare you for this internship? 

Holy Cross has been crucial in preparing me for this internship. During my time at Holy Cross, it has been instilled in me to have the competence to see and the courage to act. In a role where we were strongly encouraged to recognize areas where help was needed and step forward, the lessons and values I have learned in the classroom and community at Holy Cross directly shaped my internship experience.I would also like to thank my academic advisor, Professor Laura Jackson, for the guidance and help she has provided during my time at Holy Cross, especially throughout the internship search. I also want to thank Wendy Chapman and Kathryn Cressy, who have been valuable resources throughout my internship.

Has this experience influenced what you would like to do after graduation? What advice would you offer another Holy Cross student beginning an internship search?

My experience with the IronPigs this summer has only reinforced my desire to work in sports after graduation. The fast-paced and fun environment of sports continually presents new and changing opportunities. For me, it goes back to the adage, “If you do something you love, you will never work a day in your life.”For other Holy Cross students looking for an internship, my advice is not to be afraid to take chances. It is often when we try something new that we make the best memories. Whether it means moving away from home or accepting an internship in a field in which you have no experience, take the chance and embrace the risk.