Furman internships turn passion for sports into career possibilities

For Kaylee Atkocius ’28 and Alexander Hamilton ’27, a summer internship with the Greenville Triumph offered more than a chance to work in professional soccer. It gave two Furman students an opportunity to become part of the Greenville community, build professional relationships and discover how their interests could translate into future careers.

The two students spent the summer working behind the scenes with the Triumph, gaining hands-on experience in sports operations, partnerships, marketing and game presentation while learning what it takes to bring a professional sporting event, and the community surrounding it, to life.

Kaylee Atkocius ’28 throws t-shirts into the crowd during halftime of a Greenville Triumph home game while working in her summer internship on Saturday, July 11, 2026.

For Atkocius, a rising junior double majoring in business administration and communication studies, the internship grew from a connection she made through Furman Athletics. Hamilton, a rising senior Spanish major, found his way to the Triumph through an existing relationship with the organization.

Their roles quickly moved well beyond the typical intern experience.

Atkocius worked in partnership marketing, managing accounts, coordinating activations and communicating with major corporate partners. Hamilton worked in game presentation and operations, helping plan events, coordinate game-day activities and manage the stadium’s LED and video assets.

“I’ve been over the moon with the opportunities that I’ve been able to have,” Atkocius said. “I would have never expected everything they have trusted me to do here.”

Hamilton agrees. “I’ve really appreciated being seen and mentored on the level Megan has set,” he said, referring to Triumph Senior Vice President Megan Kolak. “The bar she has raised is off the charts.”

Kolak intentionally gives interns that level of responsibility. Early in her own career, she experienced an internship dominated by busywork. She wanted to create something different for the students she mentors.

“I never want another intern to just sit here and twiddle their thumbs,” Kolak said. “They have to do the work themselves, because that’s the only way they’re going to learn.”

That philosophy put Atkocius and Hamilton in situations where they could make decisions, communicate with partners and see their work come to life.

Alexander Hamilton ’27 runs the video display board during a Greenville Triumph home game as part of his summer internship with the team on Saturday, July 11, 2026.

For Hamilton, that became especially clear on opening day at the Triumph’s new stadium, GE Vernova Park at Bridgeway Station in Mauldin, S.C. After weeks of preparing for FanFest and the game, he watched the event come together around an enthusiastic crowd.

“It was just amazing to watch kind of come to fruition and be like, ‘Wow, I worked on things that made this happen,’” he said.

The experience also helped both students connect their classroom learning to careers they once only imagined.

Atkocius discovered that she enjoys the variety and pace of sports work. “This experience has really proven to me that this is something that I can do and that I really enjoy doing,” she said.

Hamilton entered the summer wondering whether sports could become a career. He leaves with an answer.

“I can say with overwhelming confidence now that the answer to that is ‘Yes,’” he said.

The internship even prompted him to begin preparing for opportunities after Furman, including exploring jobs in both the United States and United Kingdom.

For both students, the internship illustrates what can happen when a Furman education extends beyond the classroom. Hamilton found his way to the Triumph after first seeking opportunities through Furman Athletics.

“If you want to do something, just go for it,” he said. “There’s no reason not to try.”