PORTLAND — Every summer, thousands of fans visit Hadlock Field to watch the Portland Sea Dogs. Behind every game is a team of professionals — and this season three University of Maine students are among them.
After growing up as Sea Dogs fans themselves, Molly McKibben, Keegan Weed and Byron Rubito from the Maine Business School are gaining firsthand experience in professional sports through game day internships. These marketing and sport management majors are working customer service, promotions, ticketing and stadium operations while learning what it takes to oversee a professional baseball franchise.
“Molly, Keegan, and Byron have all come to the Sea Dogs well prepared for their internship opportunity,” Chris Cameron, vice president of communications and fan experience for the Sea Dogs, said. “They are dedicated, reliable, passionate and have contributed significantly to the fan experience at the ballpark this season.”
From the stands to the front office
While each student found their way to the organization differently, they all share a passion for sports and a desire to build careers in the industry.
“I have been going to Portland Sea Dogs games my whole life,” Weed, a senior from Scarborough, said. “I had friends who completed this internship and spoke highly of the experience and the opportunities it gave them. It offers hands-on learning and exposure to everything that goes into running a professional sporting event.”
McKibben’s connection to the organization also began with Cameron, whom she shadowed during her senior year of high school in Cape Elizabeth. After seeing the inner workings of the organization firsthand, she said she knew she wanted to work in sports.
Rubito from Windham, pursued the opportunity after reaching out to sports professionals across New England to learn more about careers in the industry. A conversation with Cameron ultimately led him to apply.
“I wanted to be able to give families and their kids the same experience I got all of the multitude of times I went to a ballgame,” Rubito said. “I’ve associated so many good memories with sports, especially with the Sea Dogs, so being able to create those same experiences while gaining experience from some of the best in the field was a big attraction.”
Game day operations
As game day interns, no two days look alike.
“We believe in giving our interns exposure to all areas of the operation,” Cameron said. “You’ll find our interns proactively making and taking ticket sales calls and executing our pregame and in-game promotions. Interns receive extensive customer service training so they can use their skills to enhance the fan experience and create lifelong memories for our fans.”
Weed said his favorite part of the internship is that “every game is different.”
“I also enjoy working in an environment where everyone is welcoming, making it easy to learn and become more confident in my role,” he said.
For McKibben, the fast-paced atmosphere has been one of the highlights.
“I love all of the staff and being able to talk to new customers every gameday,” she said. “We’re always on the move, and I love the busy atmosphere.”
While classroom learning provides the foundation, the students said the internship has taught them lessons that can only come from real-world experience.
“I’m learning how important customer service and communication are in professional sports,” Weed said. “I’ve also gained experience handling real game-day situations, working with fans and collaborating with staff under pressure — things that can only be learned through hands-on experience.”
Rubito agreed, noting that shadowing Cameron gave him an inside look at everything from media relations and social media to managing an entire game-day staff.
“You can learn about it in the classroom, but you won’t truly know what it’s like until you get to see the situation unfold,” he said.
Building Connections
The internship has also reinforced the importance of building professional relationships. From working alongside front office staff to collaborating with fellow interns, each student has developed connections that will serve them well as they begin their careers.
“This internship has given me valuable experience in professional sports and helped me build confidence, communication skills, and a strong work ethic,” said Weed. “It has also helped me make industry connections and better prepare me for a career in sports after I graduate.”
Cameron said the organization recognizes that many students know they want to work in the sports industry, but may not yet know what they ultimately want to do.
“We try to give them experience in all aspects of the operation so they can discover what areas they do, and, just as importantly, don’t like,” Cameron said. “We have a responsibility to teach and motivate our interns to prepare them for a position within the sports industry. We’re very proud of our track record of placing our interns with full-time job opportunities, including numerous former interns working as staff members with the Sea Dogs.”
Through internships like these, Maine Business School students aren’t just observing the sports industry — they’re becoming an integral part of it while gaining the experience, confidence and professional connections that prepare them for successful careers long after the final out. All three students encourage fellow Black Bears to pursue internships early and often.
“There’s a big difference between learning about an industry in the classroom and having one-on-one conversations with professionals who are living it every day,” Rubito said. “Being an intern at the Portland Sea Dogs has taught me so much about the business of sports and how to apply that knowledge successfully.”