This spring, I’ll be interning for my second semester with Tiger Athletics, specifically in the Athletic Development field. When I first saw the internship opportunity on the weekly Journalism email, I knew it would be something I wanted – graphic design, social media, and sports are all right up my alley.
My work is primarily with the Tiger Scholarship Fund (TSF), which raises money for student-athlete scholarships and athletic renovations (like the new Tigers football practice facilities set to be completed in the next few years). Kaylee Willis is my boss and the Coordinator of Stewardship & Benefits, meaning she works with longtime TSF donors as well as potential ones.
As an intern, I’m responsible for performing a wide variety of tasks. Making the coffee in the morning and helping move materials at events are the norm, but I enjoy them. Luckily, the Athletic Development team is friendly, open and acknowledges my skills and allows me to utilize them. Every month, I use Adobe InDesign to create The Ambassador, a Memphis Tigers alumni newsletter that is electronically sent to only the donors who give over $5,000 a year to the program. When I’m not working on the newsletter, I also help my fellow intern answer calls at the front desk.
I’ve also been work closely with Kaylee and the other interns on the 901 Campaign, a promotion aimed at getting (at least) 901 new members to donate to the TSF. We set up a booth for athletic events, such as games at the FedExForum, and talk with curious passersby while attempting to get them to join the TSF (for a nominal fee, of course). On a successful night at an event, we might get five or six new donors; the goal is to reach 901 before the end of the semester.
This semester, we’re putting a greater focus on social media. I’m currently scanning through the list of 2,700 donors and adding them on Twitter, in hopes that they’ll follow the @MemphisTSF account back. I’ve been tweeting out photos and information about the TSF and the Tigers at games, and my goal is to reach 1,000 followers by the end of the semester. Kaylee and I are also talking about implementing an Instagram, to potentially reach a younger audience that loves the visual touch.
I’ve learned so much about the behind-the-scenes of athletics, and it’s mind-blowing to see how passionate people are about their alumnus, even decades after graduating. Fundraising is a vital facet of athletics, and it’s often overlooked: our donors contribute millions of dollars each year towards the program, and many do it with little to no recognition. I think that demonstrates their unwavering loyalty and the fact that they’re doing it for the love of the University of Memphis, and not for personal grandeur.
Working in the same office with people like a former athletic director, former NBA player, and former manager for the Harlem Globetrotters is amazing. The fact that they’re all down to earth and fun while getting the job done and treating me like an equal is probably my favorite part of this experience. I honestly don’t expect to work in development in my future, but I know that the skills I’ve gained from being here will undoubtedly help me in my future.
My work is primarily with the Tiger Scholarship Fund (TSF), which raises money for student-athlete scholarships and athletic renovations (like the new Tigers football practice facilities set to be completed in the next few years). Kaylee Willis is my boss and the Coordinator of Stewardship & Benefits, meaning she works with longtime TSF donors as well as potential ones.
As an intern, I’m responsible for performing a wide variety of tasks. Making the coffee in the morning and helping move materials at events are the norm, but I enjoy them. Luckily, the Athletic Development team is friendly, open and acknowledges my skills and allows me to utilize them. Every month, I use Adobe InDesign to create The Ambassador, a Memphis Tigers alumni newsletter that is electronically sent to only the donors who give over $5,000 a year to the program. When I’m not working on the newsletter, I also help my fellow intern answer calls at the front desk.
I’ve also been work closely with Kaylee and the other interns on the 901 Campaign, a promotion aimed at getting (at least) 901 new members to donate to the TSF. We set up a booth for athletic events, such as games at the FedExForum, and talk with curious passersby while attempting to get them to join the TSF (for a nominal fee, of course). On a successful night at an event, we might get five or six new donors; the goal is to reach 901 before the end of the semester.
This semester, we’re putting a greater focus on social media. I’m currently scanning through the list of 2,700 donors and adding them on Twitter, in hopes that they’ll follow the @MemphisTSF account back. I’ve been tweeting out photos and information about the TSF and the Tigers at games, and my goal is to reach 1,000 followers by the end of the semester. Kaylee and I are also talking about implementing an Instagram, to potentially reach a younger audience that loves the visual touch.
I’ve learned so much about the behind-the-scenes of athletics, and it’s mind-blowing to see how passionate people are about their alumnus, even decades after graduating. Fundraising is a vital facet of athletics, and it’s often overlooked: our donors contribute millions of dollars each year towards the program, and many do it with little to no recognition. I think that demonstrates their unwavering loyalty and the fact that they’re doing it for the love of the University of Memphis, and not for personal grandeur.
Working in the same office with people like a former athletic director, former NBA player, and former manager for the Harlem Globetrotters is amazing. The fact that they’re all down to earth and fun while getting the job done and treating me like an equal is probably my favorite part of this experience. I honestly don’t expect to work in development in my future, but I know that the skills I’ve gained from being here will undoubtedly help me in my future.