2026 Bucks Go Pro Interns Suggest Department Enhancements
7/23/2026 11:00:00 AM | General
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Interns participating in the 2026 Ohio State Athletics Bucks Go Pro 1.0 program made presentations to athletics department staff Thursday offering suggestions and enhancements to both new and existing programs and processes.
There were six presentations with about 35 athletes from the 2026 Bucks Go Pro 1.0 summer internship program.
The Eugene D. Smith Leadership Institute's most tenured program, the Bucks Go Pro 1.0 Internship Program runs eight weeks over the summer and allows student-athletes the opportunity to gain important hands-on professional experience. The program incorporates an educational curriculum focused on areas such as networking, leadership and personal finance.
Bucks Go Pro 1.0 – 2026 Group Projects
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THE SCARLET & GRAY WAY
Interns: Ethan Reniewicki (Treasury), Kaia Malachino (LiFESports), Andrea Lu (Event Management), Kelly McAuley (Keenan Center), Lorin Tobler (Sport Administration), Allie Kopser (Blackwell)
The Scarlet & Gray Way is a premium corporate retreat program that transforms Ohio State Athletics' existing facilities, personnel, and championship culture into a unique leadership and team-building experience for businesses. Companies would bring employees to campus to participate in leadership workshops, team-building activities, behind-the-scenes access to athletic facilities, and interactive experiences such as a media day photo session. A signature feature of the retreat is an exclusive NIL strategy session that helps businesses understand how to use student-athlete partnerships in their marketing and branding. By using assets Ohio State Athletics already owns, the program creates a new, year-round revenue stream and strengthens relationships with current and future corporate partners.
A COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS OF PEER INSTITUTIONSÂ
Interns: Adair Shaw (Human Performance Collaborative), Na'Vea Gauthier (LiFESports), Carson Mize (Athletic Training), Sophia Oppegard (Digital Media), Pavitra Karnati (OSU Physicians), Sadie Berry (Director of Operations)
Our project benchmarks The Ohio State University's athletics annual giving program against competitive peer institutions to identify best practices in fundraising, donor engagement, stewardship, and event strategy. By comparing annual fund structures, donor engagement, priority systems, and event programming, our goal is to identify opportunities that can strengthen donor relationships, increase annual giving, and further elevate Ohio State as a leader in collegiate athletics fundraising.Â
SCARLET & GRAY MENTOR MATCH PROGRAM
Interns: Lindsey McCulloch (Athletic Communications), Lucy Curtis (NIL & Buckeye Sports Group), Alexis Knisely (Athletic Training), Sarah Gooding (Performance Nutrition), Peyton Contini (Camps & Clinics), Rayburn Kohl (Facilities Design & Construction)
Our project focuses on creating a mentorship program that connects current Ohio State student-athletes with Varsity O alumni to help make the transition from college athletics to life after graduation easier and to continue the lifelong legacy of the Buckeyes. We know that many student-athletes have strong support systems while they're competing but often feel uncertain about what's next when their athletic careers end. This presentation explains why a mentorship program is needed, how it would work, and the impact it could have by helping student-athletes build professional connections, explore career opportunities, and gain guidance from alumni who have already been through the same transition. On the other hand, this program also works to help expand the Varsity O Alumni Society and stay connected to the Buckeye family through current student-athletes.
BUCKEYE 36
Interns: Sienna Angove (Facilities Design & Construction), Janiya Coleman (Coaching), Abigail Perry (LiFESports & The Coach Beyond), Nathalia Valdez (Sports Medicine), Leah Wicks (OSU Physicians)
Buckeye 36 is a proposed multi-day youth sports exploration program designed to create a new revenue stream for Ohio State Athletics. The program introduces children to multiple varsity sports through hands-on experiences with Ohio State student-athletes, serving as a gateway to the University's existing sport-specific camps and clinics. By generating direct revenue through registration, merchandise, and potential sponsorships while increasing participation in current youth programs, Buckeye 36 expands Ohio State Athletics' youth engagement and creates long-term value through continued family involvement.
EXPRESS ENTRY
Interns: Emmy Therrien (Athletics, Information Technology), Hephzibah Oluwadare (Wexner, Information Technology), Dominic Calhoun (Data Analytics), Matthew Klinge (Ticketing & Analytics), Riley Lijewski (James Medical Center)
This project evaluates the benefits of Express Entry, The Ohio State Athletics' facial authentication system that is designed to provide fans with a faster, more convenient stadium entry experience. Our presentation explains how the technology works, reviews its performance since implementation, and addresses common security and privacy concerns. We also discuss strategies to increase awareness and adoption through target marketing, fan incentives, and clear communication. The overall goal is to demonstrate how Express Entry will improve both the fan experience and the overall event operations at The Ohio State University.
VARSITY O MARKETING
Interns: Gianna Mojonnier (Photography & Videography), Lukas Ross (Facility Operations), Carrie Furbee (Marketing), Landon Desselle (LiFESports), Cameron Smith (Affinity/Trademark & Licensing), Adylin Armstrong (SASSO)
Our project focuses on increasing awareness of and engagement with Varsity O among current Ohio State student-athletes and recent alumni. Guided by Varsity O's vision of "Athletes Helping Athletes," we developed a marketing and communications plan centered around three key pillars. First, we recommend introducing Varsity O to student-athletes earlier in their Ohio State experience through programs like Buckeye Bash and Beyond the Block O so they understand the lifelong benefits before graduation. Second, we propose enhancing Varsity O's social media presence with timely and engaging content, including pinned informational posts, alumni spotlights, and event promotions. Finally, we recommend improving the Varsity O directory to provide easier access to alumni career information and networking opportunities, fostering meaningful connections between current and former student-athletes. Together, these recommendations aim to strengthen lifelong alumni engagement by increasing awareness, expanding professional resources, and creating a more connected Buckeye community both on campus and beyond.
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