Fan Experience and Promotions Team – Ohio State Buckeyes
9/28/2009 12:00:00 AM | General
The Fan Experience and Promotions team at Ohio State cares about Buckeye fans. They are the masterminds behind what makes a game not just a game, but an experience to be remembered. There are endless amounts of brainstorming sessions, formal and informal, which occur throughout any given moment to enhance the game day atmosphere for Buckeye fans. Realizing it could be a supporter’s first or 50th time in one of the athletics department’s first-class venues, the goal is always to leave the fan wanting to return to the site where they first witnessed Script Ohio, sang Carmen Ohio or simply made a fine catch in the halftime t-shirt toss.
So let’s meet The People behind the Ohio State fan experience…
Beth Malafa
Assistant Director (Men’s Hockey, Men’s Lacrosse and Game Atmosphere)
Where are you from?
Tipp City, Ohio
Where did you previously work?
The Cleveland Browns. I did events and game day entertainment.
Why did you choose to apply for this position at Ohio State?
I wanted to get into collegiate athletics from professional sports and Ohio State seemed like the perfect opportunity to explore this career path.
What do you enjoy most about working in marketing, game atmosphere and fan experience in general?
I love to see people smile at an event or on game day from a promotion or game experience we put together. When people enjoy something you created and dedicated a lot of time too, it’s very fulfilling.
Describe your first full month so far on campus.
All the associates within the athletics department have been so helpful as I transition into my new role in Fan Experience. It has been a great work environment so far.
As a new employee of the university and department of athletics, what advice would you give to future new employees?
Remember names!! It is a huge department!
What do you enjoy doing away from work?
I love to go hiking and being outdoors with family and friends. I really enjoy traveling and photography as well as making and creating different styles of purses.
Carrie Snyder
Assistant Director (Women’s Basketball and Baseball)
Where are you from?
St. Louis, Mo.
Where did you previously work?
Newberry College in Newberry, S.C.
Why did you choose to apply for this position at Ohio State?
I thought it would be exciting to work for a university that has such great tradition and it is an incredible opportunity to work at the next level.
What do you enjoy most about working in marketing, game atmosphere and fan experience in general?
I love interacting with fans on game day, the opportunity to be creative and the feel of a packed house supporting their team in a close game.
Describe your first full month so far on campus.
In my first month I have encountered so many helpful and friendly people. The atmosphere around our department has been full of excitement and new ideas and you can really tell how many people can’t wait for the 2009-10 school year.
As a new employee of the university and department of athletics, what advice would you give to future new employees?
Get out of your office and meet as many people as you can. The department is huge and you will be more successful if you can work with others towards a common goal.
What do you enjoy doing away from work?
I enjoy traveling, reading, cooking, playing basketball, jogging and watching movies.
Erin Sauter
Assistant Director (Men’s Basketball and Women’s Volleyball)
Where are you from?
Pickerington, Ohio
Where did you previously work?
Rice University – Assistant Director of Marketing and Promotions; Tennessee – Marketing Assistant; Toledo – Student intern and Graduate Assistant
Why did you choose to apply for this position at Ohio State?
I grew up a Buckeye fan. It was a chance to move closer to home and the tradition that Ohio State has is second to none.
What do you enjoy most about working in marketing, game atmosphere and fan experience in general?
I love working with the people who surround athletics (the coaches, student-athletes). I enjoy getting to interact with the fans and provide them with a remarkable experience. I love seeing the little kids who attend the games having a good time and cheering on their team.
Describe your first full month so far on campus.
I’ve been here the past two years and I am now entering my third season with the Buckeyes. The first month into my new role has been fun. I’ve enjoyed getting to know the new staff and interact with them. It’s also been neat to get to go through the process of being “new’ and getting a refresher course on things reintroducing myself to people as I’m now serving in a different role than the previous years. It’s a busy time of the year so we’ve all hit the ground running, so things are pretty busy.
What advice would you give to future new employees?
Be prepared to stay busy. Come in with new ideas and an open mind. Most importantly, take time to enjoy what you are a part of and have fun (but get the job done). This is a very special place. GO BUCKS!
What do you enjoy doing away from work?
I love hanging out with my family and friends. I enjoy going home and playing with my nieces and nephew. They help me unwind from a busy day at work. I also enjoy reading and “escaping” with a good book.
Laura Waters Brown
Fan Experience and Promotions Intern (Women’s Soccer, Men’s Volleyball, Men’s and Women’s Gymnastics, Women’s Basketball)
Where are you from?
Columbus, Ohio… Gahanna specifically
Where did you previously work?
South Carolina State University Athletic Department; Marketing Intern
Why did you choose to apply for this position at Ohio State?
It was a great opportunity to take what I’ve learned at a smaller Division I school, to a much larger Division I school.
What do you enjoy most about working in marketing, game atmosphere and fan experience in general?
The people!!! It’s awesome to meet and interact with new people every day.
Describe your first full month so far on campus.
Busy!!! We have been working diligently to get information about all sports out to the public, while making improvements to the entire fan experience at each event.
As a new employee of the university and department of athletics, what advice would you give to future new employees?
Come in ready to work!
What do you enjoy doing away from work?
Playing volleyball!!
Kirstin Barden
Undergraduate Student-Intern (Field Hockey, Track and Field, Swimming, Men’s Basketball, Baseball)
Where are you from?
Dayton, Ohio
Where did you previously work?
VSX Sport
Why did you choose to apply for this position at Ohio State?
To gain additional experience at one of the top collegiate athletics departments.
What do you enjoy most about working in marketing, game atmosphere and fan experience in general?
The smiles on the fans’ faces
Describe your first full month so far on campus.
Busy with meetings and getting everything ready for the upcoming season.
As a new employee of the university and department of athletics, what advice would you give to future new employees?
Go to as many athletic events as possible and talk to the fans.
What do you enjoy doing away from work?
Being outdoors.
Ludence Smith
Fan Experience and Promotions Intern (Men’s Soccer, Women’s Hockey, Softball, Men’s Basketball)
Where are you from?
Virgin Islands (British & U.S.)
Where did you previously work?
FedEx Office (Kinko’s)
Why did you choose to apply for this position at Ohio State?
I felt the experience, as well as the network connections I can make here would be beneficial to my career.
What do you enjoy most about working in marketing, game atmosphere and fan experience in general?
In regards to marketing, I love the thought of coming up with new and interesting ways to promote and sell our product to the public. As far as game atmosphere, being a former student-athlete, I can appreciate an electrically-charged atmosphere as it helped me perform better. In return, I try to create the best atmosphere for the student-athlete, while also creating an enjoyable one for the fans.
Describe your first full month so far on campus.
So far my experience has been a great one. I am still somewhat overwhelmed by the size of the campus, but it is one of my many adjustments I will have to make.
As a new employee of the university and department of athletics, what advice would you give to future new employees?
I would advise them to do the same that I have been advised to do. Get to know different people in different departments. OSU has created an environment that is second to none and affords employees the opportunity to learn from each other. I would say take advantage of the opportunity that is presented to you right now.
What do you enjoy doing away from work?
Outside from work I like eating, sleeping and working out.
