INTERNSHIP INSIGHT: Kiley Drezek Gains Hands-On Experience At Connecticut Sport Management Group

BEVERLY, Mass. – Endicott College is a pioneer in requiring comprehensive internship experiences for undergraduate students in every program of study. Kiley Drezek (Seymour, Conn.), who is a sport management major and a member of the women's basketball program, recently completed an internship at the Connecticut Sport Management Group- Nutmeg State Games. Here's a look into her internship experience.

1) Why Connecticut Sport Management Group - Nutmeg State Games? 

I chose Connecticut Sport Management Group- Nutmeg State Games for my internship because it offers a unique opportunity to gain valuable experience, receive mentorship, expand my professional network, and make a positive impact within the sports community. While it was a plus for it to be closer to home, I wanted to choose an internship that would give me hands-on experience at sporting events rather than working at a front desk. CSMG's internship gave me the opportunity to work and interact directly with the athletes and the head directors of the programs we team up with. I also chose CSMG because of how welcoming and easy it was to talk to Rick Plasky and Sandy Jordan during my interview. I knew I was going to enjoy interning there.

2) What was the process like to obtain your internship? 

The first step to obtaining my internship with CSMG was to send my resume and references to Rick Plasky, the executive director of CSMG. I then set up a Zoom interview with Rick Plasky and Sandy Jordan where we elaborated on my resume and experience. I was also asked questions that would translate to the work I would do in the internship. Then I waited to hear back until all of the candidates were interviewed.

3) Describe your overall internship experience. 

My overall internship experience with CSMG was great, it was awesome to be really hands-on with running the events and games. I helped check people in for games, set up courses, helped hand out medals, talked to officiants, kept scores for games, etc. A lot of things I wouldn't have been able to experience or learn how to do without this internship. This internship also helped me expand my network and get to interact with people from all over the country who came to the Nutmeg Games. I was able to observe the events from the front and back which was a great learning experience. I saw how an event of a larger size was managed and learned about the importance of teamwork and organization. It was a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the sport management industry.

4) What have you learned from your internship? 

From my time at Connecticut Sport Management group, I most importantly learned the ins and outs of what goes on to make an event run smoothly as well as how much time and dedication it takes from everybody to make it all come together. I learned how to use my voice and how to communicate with people effectively. I also learned how to deal with high-stress situations while being calm and collected. I also gained a better understanding of how the sports industry works and how to act in a professional manner. It was a great experience and a good way to throw myself into the sport management field.

5) How will this internship help you in your career moving forward? 

By completing this internship, I gained hands-on experience which helped me develop and refine my skills. I was able to network and make many connections that could lead to future jobs and/or recommendations. This internship helped me learn more about the sports management industry and what goes on behind the scenes. It also taught me the importance of time management, communication, and problem-solving. This internship also helped me know what interests I have in the sports management field. I can use that knowledge to know what kind of career or job I want in the future. I am now more confident in my abilities and have a better understanding of the industry. It was a great learning experience and I am grateful for the opportunity. I am confident that the skills I have acquired and the connections I made will be beneficial in my future career.

6) What skills were you able to apply from your academic background at Endicott directly to this internship?

My classes at Endicott definitely helped prepare me for the tasks I would do at my internship. My classes taught me skills like event management, communication, problem-solving, and leadership. I applied all of these skills to my internship this summer by helping execute sporting events, using my communication skills, both written and verbal, to interact with athletes, coaches, and other staff at the CSMG events, and knowing how to identify and address challenges that may arise during event planning and execution. I was able to hone my problem-solving skills when faced with last-minute changes. Overall, this experience was invaluable and I am grateful for the opportunity to put my newly acquired skills to the test.

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(Photo Credit - Catherine Scarantino '26)