From Petrel to Hawk: Oglethorpe in Atlanta Sports

From this year’s Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight games in March Madness to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Atlanta is the place to be if you’re a sports fan. The city lives and breathes sports, and Oglethorpe University students and alumni are right in the middle of the action.

Getting a foot in the door of the sports industry usually starts with internships and networking. For Karina Lopez Duran ’25, that first big break was just steps away. A business administration major with a communications minor, Lopez Duran landed an internship with Atlanta United (ATL UTD) through connections she made at OU. She’s fully immersed herself in both her academic areas, holding leadership roles in the Oglethorpe Business Club and Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). She also recently became an account executive in Oglethorpe’s student-led public relations firm, the Weltner Consulting Agency.

Through PRSSA and the agency, students collaborate closely with Dr. Kate Keib, associate professor of communication studies. Her extensive industry experience and connections across Atlanta make Dr. Keib a valuable resource for communication students looking to enter the field. Dr. Keib referred Lopez Duran to ATL UTD Communications Coordinator Johannes Schneider and helped her secure the internship. “As the sponsor of Oglethorpe’s PRSSA chapter, Dr. Keib and I attended multiple conferences together. I shared my passion for sports and my career aspirations, and when this opportunity arose, she remembered our conversations and thought of me.

 I’m incredibly grateful,” says Lopez Duran. “This experience proves the value of Oglethorpe’s small classroom setting and the importance of building meaningful relationships with professors. Opportunities often come from unexpected places, and connecting with mentors can make all the difference.”

Lopez Duran is more than a sports fan; she is an athlete herself. As a student-athlete on Oglethorpe’s tennis and basketball teams, she’s mastered the art of time management and credits the skill for helping her excel in her role with Atlanta United.

In her role as a Game Operations Communications Intern with Atlanta United, Lopez Duran experiences game day from a new perspective, which requires quick thinking and adaptability. Some days, she’ll be on the field working with accredited media personnel; others, she’s in the Mercedes-Benz locker room transcribing interviews that inform match-day communications.

“I have always wanted to do what I love for work, and because
of that, it doesn’t even feel like work. Being surrounded by professionals in the industry has given me valuable insights into the fast-paced nature of sports marketing, and it has reinforced my passion for building a career in this field.”

Lopez Duran isn’t the only Stormy Petrel making an impact at Atlanta United. Ben Schick ’23 also works in the same stadium but in a different role. He first joined the team as a Street Team Ambassador, quickly climbing through the ranks as a Marketing Assistant and now Community Impact Assistant.

Like Lopez Duran, Schick was a student-athlete at Oglethorpe, playing soccer while pursuing his degree in business administration. Now, he has the unique opportunity to work in the sport he loves.

“My love for sports, specifically soccer, has allowed me to work in a role that never feels like work,” he says. “I have always wanted to work in the sports industry, and to currently live out that dream has been extremely rewarding.”

Before scoring big with a career in professional sports, Schick honed his skills as a Sports Information Assistant for Oglethorpe Athletics. In this role, he connected with the Stormy Petrel fan base through game-day graphics, social media content creation, and tracking stats for teams. He credits his experience with OU athletics and the mentorship of Daniel Manget, Director of Sports Information, for building his confidence, helping him avoid imposter syndrome, and reinforcing the importance of gaining hands-on experience.

Schick encourages students to take advantage of every opportunity that comes their way. “The first piece of advice to current students would be never to feel like you are too good or big for a role or internship. The first role in sports, or any profession for that matter, won’t have everything you want or dream of. I can remember previous internships and roles I have taken were hard and not necessarily my favorites, but each step has aided me in getting to where I am today.”

Just down the street at State Farm Arena, another Oglethorpe alum can be found

in the action of Atlanta sports. Melanie Davis ’23 recently landed a role as the Social Media Assistant for the Atlanta Hawks, bringing her passion for sports communications to the NBA court.

Davis’ experience spans multiple levels of athletics, from photographing Georgia Tech football and working in Oglethorpe athletics to creating content for Atlanta Vibe Pro Volleyball. Now, she’s showcasing her talents in the world of professional basketball.

“Working in sports can be demanding with unpredictable schedules, but seeing how grateful the Oglethorpe community was for the work I did alongside the social media team made it all the more rewarding,” says the film major graduate. “I was fortunate to collaborate with a fantastic team, and I’m really proud of the work we accomplished at Oglethorpe. It instilled a sense of pride in my work, and that experience was invaluable in preparing me for my role with the Atlanta Hawks.”

As Atlanta’s sports scene continues to grow, so does the presence of Oglethorpe students and alumni within the industry.

Rachel Spooner ’26 received the same internship opportunity as Lopez Duran, working as a member of Atlanta United’s communications staff. Jonathan Chadwick ’05 has built an impressive career in Major League Baseball as the Atlanta Braves Radio Network executive producer, recently celebrating his 1,000th game. Benjamin Grady ’23 spent last fall promoting the Atlanta Falcons as a Street Team Marketing Ambassador, forging connections with the local community. Charity Cloud ’26 and Jack Lowrie ’26 both secured an internship with the U.S. Soccer Federation in time for the 2026 World Cup.

Oglethorpe’s connections and hands-on learning experiences provide the perfect jumping-off point to success for students dreaming of a future in the sports industry. With all of Atlanta’s major sports arenas just a short drive from campus — traffic notwithstanding — Petrels are set up to thrive in the sports industry.