Using NUsports.com as a platform, NU for Life plans to highlight the numerous companies and organizations who partner with the program and employ Wildcats student-athletes. This is the first in a series of profiles to come.
Check out Intersport in the 2015 NU for Life promo video!
Media Production. Experiential Marketing. Entertainment & Hospitality. One company, many routes of engagement, Chicago-based Intersport has been creating sports and entertainment-based marketing platforms for over 30 years. It's only natural that Northwestern student-athletes would gravitate towards the company and learning more about an industry that touches their lives everyday.
Intersport has long had ties to Northwestern and its athletics department and has been an integral friend to the NU for Life program since its inception. In the summers, groups of 10-15 student-athletes have visited the Intersport offices as part of NU for Life's Career Trek series.
Intersport staff members also have made the trip to Evanston to participate in NU for Life events including the Sophomore Seminar and the Wildcat Professional Excellence Program (WPEP). Crucially, numerous Wildcats have held internships with the company, gaining invaluable experience while contributing to building on Intersport's tradition of success.
"Intersport prides itself on hiring the best and brightest in the business," said Drew Russell, Intersport Vice President of Properties. "When looking for interns or entry-level candidates, we look for three attributes. First and foremost, we want individuals that are passionate about pursuing a career in the sports and entertainment marketing industry. Second, we want individuals that have the ability to communicate effectively. Finally, we want individuals that can think proactively, but are nimble enough to react quickly when necessary."
Russell says he believes that the NU for Life program prepares each of these student-athletes for life off of the playing field.
"We have had NU for Life interns from the football team, men's basketball team, women's golf team, women's cross country team and many more," he said. "Northwestern student-athletes bring a fresh perspective, a high quality academic experience and a roll up the sleeves mentality that set them apart from other intern candidates. The foundation of teamwork that has been established by playing at major NCAA Division I institution like Northwestern University is unmatched."
Former Northwestern football student-athlete Steve Flaherty now serves as a Manager of Communications at Intersport and added, "My experience as a Northwestern student-athlete was invaluable in shaping me into the young professional I am today. Northwestern helped instill skills in me like teamwork, time management and communication that have allowed me to quickly transition into my role at Intersport. I learned during my time at Northwestern that it takes an extraordinary amount of passion and dedication to be a truly great student-athlete, and I try to bring that same passion and dedication to my work at Intersport each day."
Recent interns at Intersport include golfer Kaitlin Park and men's basketball player Sanjay Lumpkin.
While at Intersport, Park focused on assisting in the design of a website for one of the company's sports properties, as well as conducting market research.
"I really found that I loved the culture. It was really proactive and forward-thinking," said Park, whose major is learning and organizational change. "The feel of the company was something that really grabbed me, and that's something that you find in sports marketing more often than not."
Lumpkin was especially grateful for the assistance he received in his search for an internship.
"It was a great experience," Lumpkin said. "It was really my first internship, the first time I had to interview for something. All of the resources that NU For Life have helped me find a place to grow as a person."
NU for Life's Julie Hammer commented, "Drew [Russell] and the Intersport team have been tremendous partners to work with. They are dedicated to making the intern experience meaningful and productive, and as a result, our student-athletes are attracted to working there. They truly value the student-athlete skillset."
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Check out Intersport in the 2015 NU for Life promo video!
Media Production. Experiential Marketing. Entertainment & Hospitality. One company, many routes of engagement, Chicago-based Intersport has been creating sports and entertainment-based marketing platforms for over 30 years. It's only natural that Northwestern student-athletes would gravitate towards the company and learning more about an industry that touches their lives everyday.
Intersport has long had ties to Northwestern and its athletics department and has been an integral friend to the NU for Life program since its inception. In the summers, groups of 10-15 student-athletes have visited the Intersport offices as part of NU for Life's Career Trek series.
Career Trek #B1GCats of @NCatFencing, @nuwbball, @NUSBcats, @NUSwimDive, and women's golf focus in @IntersportBuzz pic.twitter.com/lgZ1XNeil0
— NU for Life (@NUforLife) July 23, 2015
Intersport staff members also have made the trip to Evanston to participate in NU for Life events including the Sophomore Seminar and the Wildcat Professional Excellence Program (WPEP). Crucially, numerous Wildcats have held internships with the company, gaining invaluable experience while contributing to building on Intersport's tradition of success.
.@soccerhaus, @fettingkatie, & Drew Russell of @IntersportBuzz share wisdom with soph. 'Cats interested in marketing. pic.twitter.com/81l18XTDoc
— NU for Life (@NUforLife) May 27, 2015
"Intersport prides itself on hiring the best and brightest in the business," said Drew Russell, Intersport Vice President of Properties. "When looking for interns or entry-level candidates, we look for three attributes. First and foremost, we want individuals that are passionate about pursuing a career in the sports and entertainment marketing industry. Second, we want individuals that have the ability to communicate effectively. Finally, we want individuals that can think proactively, but are nimble enough to react quickly when necessary."
Russell says he believes that the NU for Life program prepares each of these student-athletes for life off of the playing field.
"We have had NU for Life interns from the football team, men's basketball team, women's golf team, women's cross country team and many more," he said. "Northwestern student-athletes bring a fresh perspective, a high quality academic experience and a roll up the sleeves mentality that set them apart from other intern candidates. The foundation of teamwork that has been established by playing at major NCAA Division I institution like Northwestern University is unmatched."
Former Northwestern football student-athlete Steve Flaherty now serves as a Manager of Communications at Intersport and added, "My experience as a Northwestern student-athlete was invaluable in shaping me into the young professional I am today. Northwestern helped instill skills in me like teamwork, time management and communication that have allowed me to quickly transition into my role at Intersport. I learned during my time at Northwestern that it takes an extraordinary amount of passion and dedication to be a truly great student-athlete, and I try to bring that same passion and dedication to my work at Intersport each day."
Recent interns at Intersport include golfer Kaitlin Park and men's basketball player Sanjay Lumpkin.
While at Intersport, Park focused on assisting in the design of a website for one of the company's sports properties, as well as conducting market research.
"I really found that I loved the culture. It was really proactive and forward-thinking," said Park, whose major is learning and organizational change. "The feel of the company was something that really grabbed me, and that's something that you find in sports marketing more often than not."
Lumpkin was especially grateful for the assistance he received in his search for an internship.
"It was a great experience," Lumpkin said. "It was really my first internship, the first time I had to interview for something. All of the resources that NU For Life have helped me find a place to grow as a person."
NU for Life's Julie Hammer commented, "Drew [Russell] and the Intersport team have been tremendous partners to work with. They are dedicated to making the intern experience meaningful and productive, and as a result, our student-athletes are attracted to working there. They truly value the student-athlete skillset."