Textbooks to Tournaments: A Sophomore’s Internship Turns Classroom Lessons into Real-World Skills in Sports

In the classroom, staying calm under pressure is a management concept—but on a tournament field, it’s a job requirement. As a sophomore in La Roche University’s Sports & Entertainment Management program, Andrew Booth already understands the importance of both.  

A recent internship with Atlantic Coast Sports introduced Andrew to the operational side of youth sports, allowing him to hone his event management skills in the real world. As a site supervisor, he drew from his Fundamentals of Management course to interact with clients and respond to live scenarios.

“Fundamentals of Management taught me the different ways you can manage people—the ways you can connect to them, talk to them and figure out the style of management that works best for you,” he said. “I applied these concepts throughout the internship. For example, if someone was mad about a decision an umpire made, I could apply what I learned to calm them down while intentionally staying as calm as I possibly could.”

A Sports Law class also gave Andrew the confidence he needed for the role. “I used the techniques that were in Sports Law to interpret and enforce the rules at tournaments,” he added.

The internship offered the type of hands-on experience that distinguishes La Roche’s Sports & Entertainment Management major, which requires every student to work for an organization in the field before graduating. Personal guidance also offered an advantage: Andrew built his resume with advice from industry faculty, an advisor shaped his class schedule, and the Center for Career & Professional Pathways coached him through a mock interview.

“I can definitely go to my professors for general advice, tips for an interview or advice on what I need to change on my resume,” he explained. “I also can just talk to them and have a casual conversation, which is really nice.”

Andrew’s passion for sports and large-scale events has led to unique opportunities beyond the classroom, including a job with the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, where he led various activations and assisted fans on site. 

Now a men’s lacrosse player, resident assistant and student ambassador for La Roche’s Undergraduate Admissions office, Andrew said he hopes to complete another internship in the next year. A career alongside the Pittsburgh Pirates is his long-term goal.

“I’ve been surrounded by sports my entire life, and I knew I always wanted to do something within the business field. I felt the Sports & Entertainment Management major was a good combination of both,” he said. “The program is helping me get internships and a base level in sports business, which will set me up for more opportunities in the future.”