Column: Athletic Communications Intern

By Savannah Koga / Staff Writer

Growing up when people would ask me, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I always wanted to be a detective, thinking I could go solve every crime mystery and my life would be just like NCIS. Though once I realized I was not cut out for a life of blood and paperwork I turned to the one thing I have always known and loved. Sports and athletics. 

I grew up in a family full of sports, I played at least eight myself and my parents and siblings played the rest. I have always loved the competition, the atmosphere, the people, and the joy that surrounds athletics. Therefore I decided I want to work in the sports community for as long as I can. 

To push start my future career, I now intern at Kansas Wesleyan University communication department. Supervised under David Toelle, KWU sports information director, I am an athletic communication intern. 

David Toelle, Associate AD for Athletic Communications

There are so many behind the scenes activities and pathways to working in college sports. My day to day doesn’t always look the same. There is an opportunity to assist in many different fields within athletics communications, giving me a fully rounded experience. 

I like to focus my work on the digital media side of sports. I have spent time this semester creating graphics and photos for social media. This includes game day announcements, player highlights, and other team specific graphics. 

Coyote volleyball graphic

Coyote volleyball graphic

One special project I completed recently was the cover of the winter sports program for KWU athletics. I took the time to find photos, create a layout and edit the design of the cover from start to finish. 

Winter sports program cover

Something else significant I helped with recently was running the KWU athletics X account. This consisted of play by play and regular updates during the men and women varsity basketball game. 

Other duties of the internship include in game statistic recording, sports photography, media day assistance, social media development and more. 

KWU communication program offers so many great opportunities for all students within the department. The possibilities are endless with the option to focus on a specialty within communications or the general education. 

Personal testimonial: 

I have loved every second of this internship. It has been so nice to have full creative reign in certain aspects and be able to something I enjoy. Even through all other school work and outside pressure this has never felt like work or something that I dread to do. I am so grateful and appreciative of Toelle having faith in me and letting me work on my own and try out new things. Overall this was a great experience that I hope to continue in the future. 

I have loved every second of this internship. It has been so nice to have full creative reign in certain aspects and be able to something I enjoy. Even through all other school work and outside pressure this has never felt like work or something that I dread to do. I am so grateful and appreciative of Toelle having faith in me and letting me work on my own and try out new things. Overall this was a great experience that I hope to continue in the future. 

Savannah Koga is a Boise, Idaho, senior majoring in Communications.