Trey Naughton interned with the Arizona Football recruiting staff to support operations, performing player evaluations, and supporting recruiting visits.
Describe your internship experience. What kind of work did you do?
My summer internship involved work in the recruiting department of Arizona Football. The work involved performing player evaluations while maintaining the team's database system called ARMS. I also supported the recruitment staff during unofficial visits from recruits. The internship experience revealed to me how recruiting functions within an NCAA Division I football program and taught me how much organizational skills and communication protocols are required during this process.
How did your individual circumstances affect the choice of your internship position or your professional development throughout the program?
My professional transition occurred when I transitioned from playing Division I football to working as a player personnel member for the team. I love my new role because I can make a valuable contribution to the program by identifying potential recruits who will help the team win. Having played football on the team allows me to view the game differently, because I understand the elements that distinguish top players from outstanding athletes. The combination of my athletic experience and analytical capabilities make me effective at connecting with recruits and analyzing players from both an on-field and off-field perspective.
What fresh knowledge and transferable competencies did you gain during your internship experience?
The importance of relationships in this profession became clear to me as I developed better communication with my superiors and colleagues. My Excel skills and ability to write evaluations for coaches and staff members were both enhanced through this internship. Through this experience I have learned to arrange information effectively for professional presentations. These abilities will remain valuable to me when I work in sports or any other field in the future.
What connection did the internship have with your Applied Humanities degree?
My degree gave me the tools to create stronger connections with both coaches and players. I utilized my emphasis in Business Administration to lean into the business aspect of college sports because I previously only understood the player's point of view. My applied humanities courses emphasize relationship-building, which is an aspect of organizational operations that is crucial, and that became clear to me during this experience. The competitive nature of college athletics revealed to me that human interaction proves essential for achieving success.
Which aspects of your internship did you find most difficult and what did you learn from it?
At first, it was difficult for me to go from being a player to doing operations work. As I got more experience, I felt more at ease with my coworkers and more confident in my work responsibilities. I learned that listening and being patient are just as important as speaking out with new ideas. The professional growth I got from this challenge taught me how important it is to watch and learn before taking on leadership roles.
What part of your internship experience did you enjoy the most?
I felt most satisfied when I assisted the team by helping to bring in highly-ranked recruits or maintaining team focus on our championship goals. I felt proud to contribute to the program through my off-field work because it showed promise for the team’s long-term success. I used this opportunity to remain involved in program success after moving to a new operational position. Giving back to my former teammates by working with them made this experience even more meaningful to me.