For sport management major Brandon Basile ’24, one piece of advice from Endicott professors has stuck out: When looking for a job, you have to go for it and give it your all.
With this mentality, last spring, Basile applied to as many internships as he could find online that fit his major. He’d already interned for a non-profit organization (YMCA of Central Massachusetts), as well as a Division I institution (Holy Cross College), but Basile decided to explore one more avenue.
“I wanted to fulfill that professional sports organization so that I cover all the bases: nonprofit, college, then professional. That was my mindset,” said Basile.
A native of Colorado, Basile applied to multiple professional teams in his home state, including the Colorado Avalanche and the Denver Nuggets. But only one team reached out for an interview and then offered him a position—the Denver Broncos, his hometown football team.
This past July, he began part-time as a member of the promotions team, working alongside 20 other college students. While it might seem like working for a professional team could be intimidating, Basile was ready.
“This is what I’ve been chasing since I started college,” he said.
Each day with the Broncos is a little different. Basile helps with promotional events in the community, setting up and breaking down, and assisting partners and sponsors. On game days, all hands are on deck but Basile and the team are committed to making sure the game runs smoothly, running behind the scenes to assist with marketing, promotions, halftime performance setup, pregame anthem, and more.
The atmosphere is hectic, he said, but it’s also a lot of fun. During the first pre-season home game, Basile said he walked a total of 19 miles throughout the day. It also helps to work in a group with the same joy of sports and similar experiences. “We’re all in the same boat,” said Basile. “It just seems like we all click a little more than anything.”
With hands-on courses that have prepared him for the business, economic, and management complexities of a future career in sport management, plus his internship experience, Basile felt prepared for the role with the Broncos.
And while Basile said it’s “surreal” to meet some of his sports heroes, he is focused on keeping things professional at all times. “I don’t get overly ecstatic to meet them,” he explained, “but rather seek professional and cordial conversation.” Grand as it may seem, Basile also knows his hard work won’t get noticed all the time—but like that advice from his professors, he still gives it his all.
“You’ve got to keep on like that doesn’t matter. You’ve just got to have fun,” said Basile. “Enjoy the experience. Try to soak in as much as you can.”
Basile will work for the Broncos all the way through playoffs in January, however far the team makes it. Looking toward graduation and after, Basile hopes to stay in the professional sports world, and possibly intern again for the Broncos in the future.
“Working for a professional team is great and ultimately where I want to end up in my professional career,” he said. “It’s great to see what could possibly be in my near future.”