Internship with Elmira Pioneers helps CU-Lock Haven student clarify career goals in sports
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. (11/11/2026) — For Anna Carlineo, a summer at the ballpark offered more than a behind-the-scenes look at baseball. Her internship with the Elmira Pioneers gave her hands-on experience planning game-day entertainment, coordinating guests and engaging fans.
Responsibilities that helped her build the skills and confidence to pursue a career in sports.
Carlineo, a graduate student from Addison, New York, studying sport business administration at Commonwealth University-Lock Haven, worked in game operations and served as the in-stands host for the Elmira, N.Y., collegiate summer baseball team.
The roles placed her on both sides of the fan experience.
"My main responsibilities were working in game operations and serving as the in-stands host," Carlineo said. "I was able to help plan different events, scripts and promotions for our game-day experiences. I also helped coordinate and set up for our guests, including national anthem performances, first pitches, 50/50 raffles, honoring different groups and more."
Those assignments helped strengthen her communication, organization, teamwork and problem-solving skills. They also gave her a broader understanding of how the many parts of a sports organization work together to deliver a successful event.
"There's so much more to a sporting event than what fans see on the field," Carlineo said. "From game operations and hosting to ticket sales, promotions, stadium maintenance and working with staff, every part plays a role in creating an enjoyable experience for fans."
"This experience gave me a much better understanding of what working in sports is actually like and confirmed how much I enjoy the fast-paced environment of game day operations,"
she added.
Learning alongside her fellow interns was another important part of that preparation. Working with people from different backgrounds introduced her to new perspectives, while reinforcing the value of collaboration.
"I really enjoyed creating a culture within our intern team and building relationships with one another throughout the summer," Carlineo said. "Being able to experience the internship together, learn from each other and create memories made the experience even more meaningful."
Carlineo credits Lock Haven's sport management program within the Zeigler College of Business with helping her enter the internship ready to learn and contribute. Coursework, faculty guidance and experiences beyond the classroom had introduced her to professional expectations and opportunities within the industry.
"My organization and administration of sport class helped teach me what to expect from internships, jobs, interviews and the professional environment," said Carlineo, adding that her involvement in the Sport Management Club and faculty-led trips broadened that foundation.
She attended conferences and traveled to the College Football National Championship - experiences that encouraged her to step outside her comfort zone and explore the field. The Pioneers internship gave her a chance to put that preparation into practice and develop a clearer sense of her professional direction.
"I became more confident in my abilities and gained a better understanding of the type of career I want to pursue within the sports industry," Carlineo said.
She's now building on that experience while pursuing her master's degree in sport business administration, where she also works as athletic game operations director at Lock Haven. The role gives her another opportunity to deepen her understanding of gameday operations and athletic administration.
"Being able to continue learning both in the classroom and through hands-on experiences is allowing me to build on what I learned with the Pioneers and continue developing the skills and knowledge I'll need for my future career in sports," Carlineo said.
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Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania
Julie Stellfox, Assistant Director of Strategic Communications, jms833@commonwealthu.edu, 570-484-2280Share this Story
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