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Aug. 8, 2013

This summer junior wide receiver Damiere Byrd spent his time learning about how the athletics department works off the field. As part of a practicum requirement for his major in Sport & Entertainment Management, Byrd took a student intern position over the summer within the marketing department in athletics. Although the two-sport standout (football and track) has hopes of being a professional athlete, he has a long-term goal of working in sports behind the scenes.

What was something you learned about the field during your practicum?

Byrd: There are a lot of little things that have to get done that as a player you don’t see – whether it’s posters, spreading the word about the schedule, just little things like that to raise awareness for upcoming events.

Anything that surprised you about the field or that happens in the athletics department that you didn’t know?

I didn’t know it was split up so much into different departments, like marketing and media relations, but at the same time everyone still works together and talks to each other. Every department in here works together to get big projects done and get events going and running smoothly.

What was your schedule like this summer?

Workouts were either at 6:00 or 7:00 in the morning and after that I would come in [to work] at 10:00 until 5:00. Usually Mondays or Wednesdays we’d have some extra things to do at 5:30 so that would be my day. … It could get tiring and I struggled at times. I’ve never really had a job so even just working 10 to 5 was a lot for me [laughing], especially with workouts before then. Summer workouts aren’t easy but I’m getting better at them; they’re fun.

What are you most looking forward to about this season?

I’m ready to just play. After a long summer of working out, lifting, and running you just really want to play football.