LINCOLN, Calif. – St. Francis alumna Julia Endicott '18 is interning with the Lincoln Potters baseball club this summer and she is getting a hands on experience of the grind and joy of working in the sports field.
"It has been a blast and it has taken over my summer in a good way," said Endicott. "I have learned so much in a short period of time. I get a taste of everything."
The Potters are an amateur wood bat team playing in the California Collegiate League. They annually hire 5-6 interns and 20-30 seasonal staff to help run their daily operation for the 39-game schedule over the summer.
"The interns do a little bit of everything and learn about each different aspect of the operation," said General Manager Matt Lundgren. "They want the experience to figure out what they want to do in the future. It has been a really good opportunity for Julia and the other interns. If you are willing to jump in, you are going to get the best out of the experience."
Each day starts at 2 p.m. in the offices in downtown Lincoln. Julia and the intern staff check the Potters' social media accounts for comments or necessary replies. She then responds to corporate/business sponsors for any needs or requests. The online roster is updated daily and then they print out the scorecards to sell at the day's game. They also have to count the money from the night before and then they head to McBean Stadium to setup for the game. On site, she writes the lineups on the board, helps setup the snack bar and get the scoreboard ready in addition to setting up the chairs for VIP box seats.
"Basically we just make sure everything is going to run smoothly," said Endicott.
On July 14, Julia's day started off by filling in for the mascot (Piper the Peacock) at a birthday party for Dinger, the Sacramento Rivercats mascot, at the Rivercats game.
"It was fun being with the kids because they love mascots," said Endicott. "It was hot but fun."
She then reported for her shift for that night's game in Lincoln against the Solano Mudcats. The pregame duties on this night requires the staff to pickup the firework remnants on the field from the show from the night before. They also have to finish the previous game what was called due a curfew.
"If you want to work in sports, it is fun but it is a lot of work and not everyone is cut out for it," said Lungren. "They realize how much energy and effort it takes to make it in the business. This is a good opportunity to get a well-rounded experience of the all the departments."
She has made a positive impression on Lundgren, who says she has what it takes.
"If she wants to continue doing this, she will have no problem excelling," said Lungren.
Endicott, who attended the University of Iowa for her freshman year, is transferring to the University of Wisconsin this fall and plans to study communications as a Badger. The internship has sparked her long-term interest in the sports or entertainment industries.
"I am really interested now that I have got my foot dipped in the water so to speak," said Endicott, who competed on the diving team for two seasons. "To be able experience all the things that go into making a team run has been fun. I have built great relationships and know 75 percent of the fans that come to the games."
In the fall, she already has a job in the Wisconsin Athletic Department lined up assisting the Badger Football program.
