I was very fortunate to intern with Sport Administration this summer, alongside Maddy McIntyre. While I have always been stuck in my own athletic bubble, I never realized how much effort and energy go into making this department run efficiently and effectively. Throughout my weeks here, I have had the opportunity to interact with nearly every department in some capacity- from compliance to creative services. Since I didn’t even know some of these roles existed within athletics, it has been an extremely valuable experience that I am grateful to have had.
Maddy and I were first given the task of putting together a Sport Administration handbook. Still a work in progress, this handbook will serve as a resource for the Sport ADs, so they have an understanding of what each department does and who to contact with specific questions. In order to gather the necessary information, we met with a representative from each department to conduct an informational interview. We are now in the process of gathering all of that information, and compiling it in one location.
In order to house the handbook, I had to make a secure website for the Sport AD’s use only. I made a site similar to this one, on u.osu.edu. Never having made a website before, this was definitely a learning experience for me. I had to problem solve in order to figure out how to design the pages in a user-friendly format, which was by far the most difficult part. The website not only houses the handbook, but holds other valuable information- such as calendars of important meetings and events- as well.
In addition to assisting with the handbook, I was given the task of updating the Student-Athlete Toolbox. The toolbox serves as a resource for both coaches and student-athletes, as it gets pushed onto our iPads each fall. Much of the information in the document was outdated, so it took quite a bit of research to find more recent information. I then sent it out to coaches and departments around campus for their review. I am now making the suggested revisions, and the toolbox will be sent out to students when they return to campus.
While both the handbook and toolbox have been valuable learning experiences, my favorite part of the summer has been going to meetings and getting to know everyone in the department. The first meeting I attended was about unlimited meals. I had never realized how much planning goes into making projects like this happen. They had to account for many issues I never would have even thought of, such as security and relative traffic through each facility.
One of the ongoing projects I have been involved with is the brand new Wolstein Leadership Academy. Looking to develop student-athletes into leaders both on the playing field and in the community, the Wolstein Leadership Academy will promote excellence that Buckeye Nation can be proud of. It has been an absolute honor to have the opportunity to help develop this academy, and I can’t wait to watch it in action during the upcoming academic year.
The most recent project I have gotten involved in deals with team Golf Outings. I learned how to make a formal application on Word, and this document will be used for coaches to notify the Athletic Department of their golf outing plans. While there are currently no policies in place as far as outings go, the committee is researching and developing some guidelines for future events.
Overall, Bucks Go Pro has been a fantastic experience. I have met some amazing people, had the opportunities of a lifetime, and confirmed with myself that I want to work in collegiate athletics in the future. I am fortunate to have the chance to continue interning with Sport Administration during the academic year, and I am ecstatic to see what the coming months will bring.
Makena Lynch