Reality of a Whitecaps Community Relations Intern

Working for a minor league team has come with many joyous moments, hard moments and the tools to think critically, quickly. Being an intern for the West Michigan Whitecaps has been an experience that I would recommend to any young professional. As the community relations intern at the Whitecaps, I get to be a part of many departments including seeing what the fundraising side of things can look like. Follow along for what it looks like to be an intern for the baseball season

Off Weeks

Working in sports is a non-stop cycle of crazy to calm. Calm rarely comes, but when you do, that is when you take it. Off weeks at the ballpark consist of getting all the work from the previous week done and getting ready for the upcoming homestands. As a community relations intern, I am in charge of several things such as, their Instagram account, setting up community appearances with the mascot or players, scheduling tours around the ballpark, preparing fundraiser events, and any other media work the foundation needs. Let's take a deeper dive into what is typically on my agenda.

Fundraiser Events

The West Michigan Whitecaps create fundraising events in order to raise money. July 31st will be the Whitecaps Community Foundations' 8th annual golf outing. This is something that the community relations intern helps take a lot of control in. I help set up donations and auctions for this event, as well as making sure we sponsor. It is also very important to ensure the marketing team can get the information they need. They collect donations and group them to have the most successful auction. On the day of the outing, we make sure all holes are set up, sponsors are located in the proper area, games are set up properly, and all volunteers have arrived and are at their assigned spots. This is just a glimpse of what goes into fundraiser events. When the event is over, it is time to write a blog about what took place. This will be uploaded to the Whitecaps Community Foundations website with all other blogs from past events that have occurred that are involved with the community foundation.

Foundations Social

When I first started at the Whitecaps, the foundation only had a Facebook. This year was the birth of the Instagram and Facebook accounts. Getting to start a new Instagram meant that it was essential to set a good foundation for future interns to come. While the Facebook account was the only active account for the last couple of years, wanting to make sure the two complemented each other was very important.

On Weeks

Our "on weeks" are also called "homestands." This is when the team is at home for the week (or sometimes two). Aka GO TIME. For community relations, it can be tough making sure players and coaches are available, while trying to check off our "to-do list.” Ensuring you get the correct number of volunteers while coordinating what the 50/50 requires brings a little insanity. In addition, on special homestand weeks, we have themes that bring silent auctions, an event that falls completely under community relations management. Both of these events make minor league baseball enjoyable and entertaining each week.

Appearances

Each week appearances are happening. All player and coach appearances happen during the homestand because that is the week the players and coaches are in the city to do them. An appearance can be anywhere, schools, hospitals, carnivals, fundraising events, or even helping at a local baseball field. While they are away on games promoting the Whitecaps, we utilize our mascot Crash. Since these appearances last about an hour, my job is to get the interns involved with this type of experience. Each intern at the ballpark signs up for different dates to dress up as Crash the River Rascal… and before you ask, yes, I was dressed in one of the mascot costumes. If you would like to know how it feels to be inside a giant body, email me! This helps the Whitecaps get the community involved, especially at schools. All appearances are beneficial to the Whitecaps, no matter if it is with a player or Crash.

50/50 Raffles

Each game, we have a 50/50 raffle with a new non-profit to raise money for their organization. For each organization, we try to match up the game's theme. For our Negro Appreciation League night, we had Urban League as our 50/50. This helps the organization raise more money because if a fan is coming to the game specifically for that theme night, they will be willing to help that specific organization by donating more money. With this, comes teaching each individual how to use devices and the different rules we have in place to have a successful fundraiser. This creates a fun and exciting experience at the ballpark when you have more volunteers come out to help.

Silent Auctions

Personally, my favorite part of this internship is the silent auctions. Each big theme at the ballpark comes with a silent auction. Star Wars, Negro Apparation League, Marvel, Paw Patrol, and all those fun nights include a silent auction. The auctions are for game-worn jerseys that the players wear. Once I am done setting up the auction, it is time for bidding. Whoever is at those games gets to see the player, take a picture, and see them sign the jersey they are about to receive. The joy on fans' faces when they get to see the player they love so much is such a special moment.

Community Relations Intern Wrap

Public relations is my passion in life, and so is the sports world. Finding new ways to get involved in the PR world is a great experience. Although I may not be doing public relations specifically, I am doing a form of it. Working at the West Michigan Whitecaps has changed my perspective of the sports world. I get to learn how to balance my social, school, and work life in a way not many people get to experience. Working for the Whitecaps, your hours are more than just a nine to five. You can work nine to ten, your coworkers become your best friends, and the leadership is the most approachable group you could have. Everyone knows everyone's name and respects the work that everyone does. Once you become an intern, you are a part of the family. You might work crazy hours, but at least you're having a good time while doing it.

Alexandra Lucaj is a senior studying Advertising and Public Relations with a minor in General Business. Alexandra is GVPRSSA’s VP of Member Services for the upcoming 2023-2024 academic year. She had previously been VP of Public Relations. She is also an Account Executive for GrandPR, Grand Valley State University’s student-run, nationally-affiliated, and student-run integrated communications firm. This summer she is the Community Relations Intern for the West Michigan Whitecaps. In the fall, she plans on helping out with GVSU Volleyball as an operations coach. In her free time, she loves to go to Grand Haven and go on any adventures that come her way. Alexandra is also involved in AASO, Albanian-American Student Organization as the current president for the 2023-2024 school year. After graduation, Alexandra would love to work for a professional sports team doing PR specific work.