Internship bowls over Trine students

COM majors serve at Motor City Bowl

 

Four Trine University freshman communication majors enjoyed an up-close look at a college bowl game as part of a one-day COM internship in Detroit Dec. 26.

Trine freshman communication major Ryan Klett stands in the arena while interning at the Motor City Bowl in Detroit Dec. 26.

After completing their first year media practicum requirements by working in the Trine sports information office this fall, Kyle Kleiman, Carla Moody, Kelly Tresick, and Ryan Klett joined Trine sports information director Dean Jackson at the Motor City Bowl.

Bowl officials wasted no time busying the students, Jackson said. “These students came ready to work, and immediately were put to work. They transcribed quotes in the post-game interview room, assisted in the selection and presentation of player awards and served major media outlets like the ESPN, Detroit Free-Press, Detroit News, and the Associated Press in the press box. They even spent some time on the field. I believe working in the sports information office at Trine gave them an opportunity to answer the call with confidence and competence. Literally being next to these athletes, coaches, and media members, they are excited and inspired to tackle their day-to-day assignments on campus. One student asked me, “Can we try the Rose Bowl next year?”

"This is exactly what I tell prospective students,” said Trine Department of Communication chair Mike McNamara. “I tell them they can begin career-focused activities as soon as they arrive at Trine University, versus waiting until their junior or senior years. At larger schools, COM students usually don't have the opportunity to even touch a microphone or work at a state-of-the-art radio facility, write a column or sell ads for the student newspaper—let alone go behind the scenes of a college football bowl game.”

“The team of students from Trine University provided significant staff assistance for this year's game day activities at the Motor City Bowl,” said Tim Moore, media relations director for the Motor City Bowl. “Kyle, Kelly, Ryan, and Carla fell in with our existing staff and helped bolster our media support in ways that I believe were beneficial to the both of us.”

Working with media for a major sporting event made the appropriateness of her career choice even more clear, Tresick said. “I wanted to be involved with sports, so I really liked it. It made me want to become more involved,” she said.