The Southern Ohio Copperheads is a 100% student-operated nonprofit organization that provides a unique opportunity for Ohio University college students to immerse themselves into all that is required to run a community-focused baseball team. The Copperheads experience is a "learning lab" for students seeking to work and build careers in fields such as journalism, marketing, and sports management.
What Sets the Copperheads Internship Apart
Cheddars—that’s what we call Copperheads staff members (pronounced like “cheddars”)—are the backbone of the whole operation. Working for the Copperheads gives you a real-world and hands-on experience where you will have meaningful, resume-worthy tasks that will allow you to find your niche in the industry. You will also have networking opportunities with like-minded individuals that you will carry with you into your professional career. After this immersive experience, previous staff have gone on to work for organizations like NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, MLS, NCAA, WNBA, FIFA World Cup, PGA, LiveNation, ESPN, Fox, TNT, CBS, Fox Sports, and ABC.
Strategy and Leadership Experience
Students fully operate the Southern Ohio Copperheads. We believe our organization functions best when we give our student staff the power to be creative and try their ideas and strategies. Our executive director and board members provide direct support for students throughout the entire experience, and we also encourage responsibility and maintain a positive environment where it's okay to make mistakes.
Fun and Community-Focused Environment
The Copperheads work environment is fun, safe, and centered around a shared love of baseball. Working alongside other interns and staff creates a collaborative, energetic summer environment that creates bonds and friendships you will never forget. Copperheads staff warm their hearts through constant engagement with the community of southeast Ohio. There are many opportunities to collaborate and network with local businesses, organizations, and baseball enthusiasts.
Logistics
All directors will receive at least a $1000 stipend for their work done throughout the summer
Interns will have the opportunity to work a separate part-time job to generate additional income
Gameday Staffers and the Broadcast/Media Team will receive a stipend of $500.
Eligibility, Requirements, and Preferred Qualifications
Must be an Ohio University student or other area college student
No experience is required, but engagement is encouraged
Must be a go-getter and positive attitude, while having a passion for the sports industry
Must be available for weekly meetings on Fridays from 3-5 during spring semester (directors only)
Must be able to live and work in Athens, OH during the summer (late May through early August) (housing is not provided)
We strongly encourage you to enroll in or audit Ohio University’s Business of Baseball (SASM 4130) course during spring semester (directors only)
Position Descriptions and Position-Specific Requirements
Gameday Staffer (Opens February 27th -March 20th )
Assist with operations within Bob Wren Stadium
Take on specific roles for each game, which include but are not limited to:
Selling gameday & 50/50 tickets
Ushering for our Baumholtz seats
Supporting merchandise sales
Assisting in the operations of in-game promotions
Participate in fan and community engagement
Donning the mascot suit, Homer
Must be a motivated student ready to participate in important gameday tasks
The main narrator driving the flow of the broadcast
Experience calling a game or being on a tv broadcast
Knowledgeable about baseball or has played baseball
Energetic talker and fun personality
Creative, able to think outside the box
Color Commentary (1)
Compliments the PBP by breaking down strategies, performance and statistics
Experience calling a game or being on a tv broadcast
Knowledgeable about baseball or has played baseball
Energetic talker and fun personality
Creative, able to think outside the box
Camera Operator (2)
Has experience moving and using a broadcast camera
Familiar with baseball
Creative and able to bring some ideas to the table
Is adaptable to change, things can change fast and needs to be able to think on the fly
Is able to take criticism and stay open minded
Teamplayer
Photographer (2)
Capture engaging and professional photographs during games and team events
Edit and curate photos for use on the team's website, social media platforms and promotional materials
Attend all home games and community events to document key moments
Work with the team's marketing and communications staff to develop visual content strategies that enhance the team's brand and fan engagement
Ensure all photographs are properly labeled, categorized and stored in organized folders; this will facilitate easy access and sharing of images with team staff, media outlets and sponsors
Develop and maintain a comprehensive library of team photos, including player portraits, action shots and event coverage; this library will serve as a central resource for marketing materials, social media and press releases
Staff Writer (1)
Responsible for attending each home game with the option of traveling with the team to away games
The right engaging and informative content about baseball including game recaps, feature stories and analyst pieces
Work with director of media relations to write and generate interesting and innovative stories that will lead to local regional and national publicity for the organization
Strong writing and communication skills
Strong knowledge of current baseball rules, regulations and strategies
Build and maintain relationships with essential community partners
Create a community outreach schedule
Plan and execute community events before and during the season in collaboration with community partners
Schedule staff for community events
Serve as the point of contact for all community events
Responsible for tracking attendance and impact of each event
Requires a passion for spreading positivity through sports and willingness to attend community events (often held on Saturday mornings during the spring semester)
Director of Stadium Operations
Responsible for general maintenance of Bob Wren Stadium (opening/closing gates and doors, and dealing with any issues that take place at the ballpark)
Assist with sponsorships so each sponsor receives their request such as tabling or signage at sponsor games
Set up and assign roles for game day staffers (every game day staff should get experience at each job, including mascot)
Create a safety plan for Bob Wren Stadium
Have a positive "can do" attitude and awareness that this position will be the first and last person at the stadium on game nights
Director of Marketing
Create Copperhead-related artwork, graphics, videos, and edits to be used on game posters, flyers, broadcasts, websites, social media, etc.
Proficient in graphic design
Create and execute marketing plans for community events, special nights, and others which include grassroot marketing
Lead game promotional efforts by setting up game day signage and banners throughout the community
Staff and direct all marketing campaigns/efforts
Responsible for team merchandise items as well as communicating with suppliers and overseeing the online fan store
Director of Social Media
Run and maintain all of the Copperheads' social media accounts, (X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok)
Create a posting schedule with content that engages fans, sponsors, and players
Willingness to post multiple times a day and listen to feedback from others is required
Social media experience with a sports team is preferred
Optional travel with the team to cover road games; will need to cover road games and post updates regardless
Director of Media Relations
Responsible for all copperheads press releases (team announcements, preseason, stories and team preview, in-season, game recaps and a showcase stories once a week, and end-of-season recaps)
Update and maintain the copperheads website
Create the team yearly program to be sold at games
Design, develop, and maintain team program in collaboration with Director of Sponsorship and leadership team
Requires a passion for media relations/communications
Athletic communication experience preferred
Optional travel with the team to cover road games, to assist in recap stories for every game
Hire photographers, videographers and other media staff determined necessary
Effectively build and maintain relationships with news organizations to grow community awareness of Copperheads brand and team updates
Director of Broadcast
Responsible for setting up and broadcasting all of the copperheads games (home)
Assist with communications in writing stories for website and social media
Responsible for creating broadcast notes/boards, and conducting interviews after games
Assist with statistics for Copperhead and the league website
Director of Player Operations
Work closely with the Copperheads Coaching Staff /Players to ensure all preseason and in-season needs are met
Serve as the primary point of contact in communicating team needs
Collect and maintain documents including player contracts, health and safety forms, etc
Verify players' information and statistics are correct in all organization’s marketing & web resources
Organize and run player move-in/move-out at the beginning and end of each season
Oversee all road games including transportation, lodging, meals, and media arrangements
Collaborate with the Executive Director to secure team transportation for all away games
Assist the visiting team with travel logistics as needed
Organized team management skills and experience in team operations is preferred.
Director of Entertainment and Sponsorship Activation
Work closely with the leadership to plan an in season promotional plan (game themes or work with sponsors for any in-game events they want to do)
Plan and execute theme nights throughout the season
Create and execute in-game promotions through the game
Manage the game day promotions; work with MC and gather participants for games
Create PA and MC scripts for all game days
Ensure all sponsorship agreements are fulfilled throughout the season
Must be a creative, organized, community focused individual who wants to learn about sponsorship activation and marketing
Director of Sponsorship
Solicit and secure post game meals from local sponsors to feed both teams and copperheads staff after games
Assist leadership in generating new partnerships with local businesses
Lead staffer on post game meals (pickup and store post game meals, set up post game meals at end of each home game)
Prospect new partners
Responsible for the fulfillment of sponsor contracts
Collaborate with the Director of Entertainment and Sponsorship Activation to fulfill sponsorship agreements
Director of Ticket Sales
Collaborate with the leadership team to develop a preseason ticket plan and create ticket packages to sell
Lead organization’s ticket sales efforts including season tickets, Grand Slam packages, etc
Delegate sales leads to sales team for key ticket packages
Organize and fulfill delivery of ticket packages to customers
Manage game-day ticket sales
Train on game-day staff ticket sales software
Must be a competitive, team organized, organized and interested in ticket sales
Previous relevant experience preferred
Director of Group Ticket Sales
Work closely with the leadership team to develop a preseason ticket plan and create group ticket packages
Serve as point of contact for all group ticket sales (groups, birthdays, etc.)
Identify and engage new group leads
Organize and fulfill delivery of ticket packages to customers.
Manage game day ticket sales
Train gameday staff ticket sales software
Competitive, team organized, organized and interested in ticket sales. Previous experience preferred.
Director of Data Analytics
Work closely with the leadership team to identify key performance indicators (KPIs) in all organizations functions
Collect and analyze data in accordance with KPIs
Effectively communicate findings with other directors
Design and implement data collection methods (preseason & in-season)
Draft and maintain sales and community impact reports in collaboration with leadership team
Competitive, team organized, organized and interested in analytics. Previous experience preferred.
Application and Staff Selection Process
Director positions are selected each year near the end of fall semester. Support roles are hired in the spring semester.
To apply, students must complete the application form, including uploading a resume and recommendation letter. Uploading a work sample is optional but encouraged.
Summer 2026 director applications closed on November 2, 2025.
