Sport Management Internship Led to Full-Time Job for Sophia Bucal ’23
By Damon Markiewicz
A Sport Management class that Sophia Bucal ’23 took during her first year as part of her major gave her a look at some behind-the-scenes work that goes into putting on a sporting event. As part of that Event Management class, Bucal had the opportunity to earn course credit as a volunteer at the Spalding Hoophall Classic, the leading high school basketball tournament in the country showcasing the nation’s top recruits, which is held on the Springfield College campus each January.
“After volunteering in 2020, I realized I wanted to take on more of a leadership role, so I applied to be a head supervisor for the 2022 event, and was honored to be selected as one of two,” Bucal said. “That experience gave me valuable insight into managing an event, from training and mentoring 100 volunteers, to being the point of contact for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and Special Events of Springfield College, to on-site experiences for players, coaches, and staff. It truly deepened my appreciation for everyone who works behind the scenes to make events successful.”
As part of the Sport Management program, students are required to complete a 12-credit internship. With encouragement from her professors, family and friends, Bucal stepped out of her comfort zone to accept a semester-long internship with the Valero Texas Open in San Antonio, Texas, as the professional golf tournament’s marketing and community relations intern. That opportunity proved to be career-defining for her as it led her to a full-time position with the tournament’s managing company, Wasserman, as a client services coordinator. Los Angeles-based Wasserman is a sports marketing and talent management company.
Within the Client Services Department at Wasserman, Bucal and her team handle all ancillary events, ticketing, credentials, food and beverage, hotel relations, merchandise, volunteers, and more. As the client services coordinator, she works on a variety of tasks for three different golf tournaments. Her main responsibilities focus on logistics for all the ancillary events, which includes four pro-am tournaments, in which professionals and amateurs compete together, along with two galas. On a typical day during tournament time, Bucal focuses her time on participant registration, on-site guest experience for each event, table assignments, décor, run-of-show, and supporting ticketing, credentials, hotel relations, volunteers, and player services.
“The one thing I love most about my job is the team surrounding and supporting me and the relationships I’ve built in this industry. They’ve allowed me to speak my thoughts and implement new ideas to our events, so that the event can continue to grow year to year,” Bucal said. “I’ve been able to do this because of what I’ve learned at Springfield College. The ability to speak my mind and step out of my comfort zone with new projects.”
Bucal sees the field of sport management continuing to evolve beyond traditional athletics and becoming a broader form of entertainment.
“It’s no longer just about the golf round or competition itself—it’s about creating experiences that bring people together, add value to the community, and engage even those who might not consider themselves golf fans,” she said.
At the Valero Texas Open, for example, Bucal and her team focus on integrating experiences throughout the entire week beyond tournament play—shared hospitality venues, charity, concerts, galas, pro-ams, family-friendly activities, and more. She notes that these elements enhance fan engagement, broaden their reach, and reinforce the mission-driven purpose behind the event.
Bucal believes that Springfield College Sport Management graduates are well-prepared to lead in that direction because of the program’s emphasis on hands-on experience and creativity, and because students are encouraged to think ahead and develop innovative ideas for where the industry can go next.
“That forward-thinking mindset helps graduates adapt, lead, and continue shaping the future of sport and entertainment,” she said. “Springfield College alumni are everywhere in the sports world and are always willing to help current students and recent graduates. That network is something really special—it gives you a leg up when it comes to internships, job opportunities, and mentorship.”
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