Sport and recreation management students have 'Big League' summer

Professional sports, whether it be playing in or working for, is a goal for many high school and college students across the country. Samuel Pichura, a South Dakota State University senior, is no exception. This past summer, he fulfilled his dreams while interning for his one of favorite professional sports teams, the Minnesota Vikings.

"It was an incredible experience," Pichura said. "I couldn't have asked for a better intro into the professional sports industry."

Pichura's internship lasted throughout the entirety of the Vikings' training camp, between late July and August. Designated as a "fan engagement intern," he and 29 other interns were responsible for setting up activities for fans who came to watch practice each day at the Vikings training facility in Eagan, Minnesota.

"Each day we set up the Kids Zone, where kids had a chance to do some football-related activities," Pichura said. "They would also get a Kids Club membership kit with Vikings memorabilia and giveaways. It's important to give these kids a memorable experience because they maybe won't have an opportunity to go to an actual game this year."

Other responsibilities for the interns were coordinating the autograph session following practice and ensuring all the necessary items from the day's sponsors were available and visible. Pichura credits his experience in the sport and recreation management program and director Bryan Romsa's approach—providing hands-on, real-life experiences—for preparing him for his time with the Vikings. 

"Working with the right people really makes a difference," Pichura said, reflecting on his biggest lessons from his Vikings experience. "We all want to come to work because we share the same common goal: to work in the sports industry. For me, that changed everything about the experience, and it made working alongside the other interns so much fun."

At SDSU, Pichura has taken advantage of the internships available to students on campus. The previous year, he had worked as a football operations manager for the SDSU football program, where he made connections with other aspiring sports industry professionals.

Twins internship

This summer, Alivya Bollen became one of the first SDSU students to intern for the Minnesota Twins, an MLB organization based in Minneapolis.

"It felt surreal to be a part of an organization that is so successful and to get to understand what actions must be taken from various departments to maintain that status," Bollen said.

As a "receiving intern," Bollen's responsibilities included working with various departments to coordinate deliveries with shipping companies to receive large orders. Once the packages arrived at Target Field — the home of the Twins — she would verify that all the products matched the order, while also checking to make sure they came in proper condition. She also tracked purchase orders through the organization's software system.

"The biggest thing that I took away from this internship was how to function within a professional environment," Bollen said. "For me, this was my first time being in a working environment, so it was very important for me to learn how to be successful in this specific industry."

A student-athlete on SDSU' softball team, Bollen, a sophomore from Lincoln, Nebraska, is majoring in sport and recreation management with a minor in marketing. She hopes to one day work in the front office of a professional organization or become a sports agent.

"In one of these positions, I feel as though I can make an impact that can make a positive difference within the sports industry," Bollen said. "My goal in life is to be a difference maker."

Timberwolves career

Pichura isn't the only Jackrabbit to have interned for the Vikings. The sport and recreation management program has seen its students intern for the Vikings for the past three straight years. One of those students was Isaac Hennen, a 2021 graduate of SDSU.

Like many students, Hennen didn't come to SDSU for the sport and recreation management program. He loved and wanted to be involved in sports but didn't really know how to get into the industry. After hearing about the sport and recreation management program, he made a shift in majors and never looked back.

Toward the end of his time in Brookings, Hennen spent a year working in the Office of the President as an event assistant. In January 2022, he got his first "real" job in professional sports working for the Hudson Valley Renegades, a minor league affiliate of the New York Yankees.

After spending nearly two years generating ticket sales, organizing pre-game performances and special event nights, and managing a group of interns, Hennen learned of an opportunity to get closer to home. The Minnesota Timberwolves, Minneapolis' NBA team, had an opening in their business development office. Hennen, a native of Canby, Minnesota, jumped at the opportunity.

Once the interview process was complete, Hennen was offered a job and joined the organization in August as a business development account executive and a customer service specialist.

"What I do every day with the Wolves is gain new business for multiple games in a season," Hennen said. "Usually, fans will come to one or two games throughout the year, and what I'm trying to do is get them to come to five games a year, or maybe 10 games a year. Eventually, hopefully, the more they come out, they will want to become a season ticket holder. We are really trying to grow the fanbase."

A lot of Hennen's day is making calls to fans who have come to a few games over the past few years, and Hennen will make them aware of discounts and perks. 

"We are trying to explain the benefits of coming out to more games throughout the year," Hennen said.

Hennen credits the sport and recreation management program, along with his internships with SDSU Athletics and the Vikings, as the keys to his successful rise to professional sports.

Similar to Hennen, Pichura's long-term goal is to work in professional sports.

"I've always wanted to become a sports agent," Pichura said. "That's the goal."