Marketing my future
How being an athletic marketing intern has shaped the trajectory of my life.
Hayley McGee and her fellow interns pose for a group picture // photo courtesy of Hayley McGee
by Hayley McGee
On a cool, breezy evening in 2019, I went to my first men’s basketball game at Western Washington University. Sitting in the stands of the Sam Carver Gymnasium, I watched the players warm up before the game. Soon after, the game clock began.
The first timeout occurred and suddenly there were people on the court conducting an in-game promotion. As I looked around the gym, I began to notice more of these people. Some were on the court, some at the scorers table and some walking around with cameras. They were all wearing navy polo shirts with an embroidered Viking logo on them. I found out later that they were athletic interns.
I’ve always been interested in photography and social media, so when I noticed interns with cameras and a front row seat, I thought to myself, “I want to do that.”
Fast forward a few years, I had accepted a three month marketing internship with the Bellingham Bells, a collegiate baseball team and part of the West Coast League, which was the most rewarding first job one could have.
I was nervous to begin work with the Bells. I didn’t know if I was enough to take on the job, especially since I knew the sports industry is widely dominated by males. I read a few statistics from Women In Sports that made my heart sink. About 40% of women working in sports feel they are valued less than men in the workplace, and nearly 38% of women working in sports have reported experiences of discrimination in the workplace because of their gender.
I never once felt underappreciated at my job. I was just as capable of getting the job done as the next person. I always had a good attitude and put forth my best effort.
I learned so much from my time with the Bells, from graphic design to social media, how things operate on game days and how to communicate and interact with different people. I was surprised that I bonded with my coworkers so quickly. There was an indescribable and special connection we all shared.
After the season was over, I was sitting on my couch and reflecting on my summer. I felt as if a gray cloud lingered over me. A part of me was missing; work, friends and the adrenaline of game days.
It wasn’t until one of my coworkers with the Bells put me in touch with Nicole Ebersole, the director of marketing and special events for Western Athletics. I submitted a resume, and soon enough, I was in for an interview.
There wasn’t anything in particular that I think landed me the job. I think it was my overall enthusiasm and the way I talked highly of my previous experience.
Within a week, I had the job. The job I had been dreaming of for the past two years. I was finally a marketing intern for Western Athletics.
When the whole intern team met for the first time, I didn’t think much of it. Soon I would learn that this group would become my second family. People I could rely on and trust.
As the weeks went by, I worked multiple games a week. From volleyball to soccer to cross country and even Viking Madness, a large event used to promote the upcoming basketball season.
Every Sunday, I kept refreshing the Excel file that my boss would use to schedule us out for the week. I wanted to work every game and event I could. When I wasn’t scheduled, I would feel a pit in my stomach. I would think, “Why wasn’t I chosen? Was it something I did? Should I reach out and see if I can get on the schedule?”
With games scheduled for most Thursdays and Saturdays, there was not enough time for me to go home for a weekend, unless I requested the time off. I knew this when I made the choice to work in sports — having to work nights, weekends and holidays — but I wanted to work every game I could.
I felt a sort of responsibility and guilt if I didn’t show up for work. I almost felt as though if I didn’t show up, the game wouldn’t run smoothly.
During the work week, we came into the athletic office for office hours. When I worked in the office, I felt like an adult working their full-time job. Working game days are my favorite part of the job, but I consider that to be more ‘fun’ work. Whereas office hours for me is sitting down and brainstorming promotional ideas or researching how we can make a better experience for our fans. One thing I love about this job is the equal opportunity of work and play.
As fall quarter came to a close, our entire team had an intern holiday party where we celebrated our accomplishments, had a white elephant gift exchange and ate a yummy potluck dinner consisting of a charcuterie board, street tacos and pumpkin pie.
Looking around the room at all of the other interns made me realize how much of a family we are and that they were the main reason I enjoy coming into work everyday. They are the reason I want to work every game. When you are surrounded by a group of amazing people, it makes the job not feel like a job.
When I first started to get involved in athletics, I saw it merely as a way to earn some extra cash. I quickly learned that the saying “find a job you love so you never work a day in your life,” is 100% true. It’s the attitude you have and the relationships you build that make every day new and exciting.
Family doesn’t have to be bonded by blood.