The University of New England is pleased to introduce the first edition of our Student-Athlete Spotlight series, which will share stories of what our student-athletes are accomplishing outside of their sport. In the inaugural feature we highlight Morgan White '25, a sport and recreation management major and member of the women's lacrosse team. A native of Rochester, N.H., White held a summer internship with the Portland Sea Dogs, a Double A professional baseball team affiliated with the Boston Red Sox.

1.    How were you able to get an internship with a professional baseball team?

Morgan: "I was able to get this internship through a connection I had with the Sea Dogs recommending the job to me for the summer. Working with my professors, they decided that it would be a great opportunity to use for me to complete my internship this summer. Networking is key!"

2.    What were some of your regular duties?

Morgan: "My regular duties included fan interaction and engagement as well as helping with preparing the Slugger skits for the games as well as successfully executing them with props as well as filming. I also took initiative to spend a couple of days working in the ticket office to learn the systems required for that kind of role on a day that I was not working with Slugger (the Sea Dogs' Hall of Fame mascot)."

3.    What were some of the most important things you learned from your internship experience?

Morgan: "The most important thing I learned was teamwork to successfully execute a game days. I was able to see behind-the-scenes of how each department worked together to pull off a seamless game-day environment. I also learned a lot about fan interaction and engagement; how to make fans feel valued and provide them with the best possible experience."

4.    What were some of the most enjoyable parts of the internship?

Morgan: "Some of my favorite aspects were the relationships and connections I made. I worked with great people who I now consider to be my friends. I also created relationships with season-ticket holders who we saw almost each and every game."

5.    Did you have much interaction with the players?

Morgan: "We did not tend to have much interaction with the players. For the most part we were up in the stands interacting with the fans and separate from the players throughout the game."

6.    What is your impression of the Portland Sea Dogs organization?

Morgan: "I have a very positive impression of the organization. Everyone is always willing to help and support you in whatever way they can. They want to see everyone succeed whether their place is within the Sea Dogs long-term or moving to another organization."

7.    Why do you think Slugger is so popular?

Morgan: "I think that Slugger is so popular due to his skits. Not many mascots do skits on the field during the games, and from my understanding, Slugger is the only one to do one every single game. He provides fans with a comedic aspect to sports that you can't get anywhere else."

8.    Did you meet any Major League players on rehab assignments or any other celebrities?

Morgan: "I didn't meet any players from the MLB, however I did meet Mackenzie Holmes who is from Gorham, Maine and was drafted by the Seattle Storm of the WNBA."

9.    What are your career goals and aspirations?

Morgan: "My goals for the future include going on to a graduate program to receive my master's degree, as well as working in professional sports. Eventually, I would love to work in promotions, marketing, or digital and social media marketing for a sports team."