The Philadelphia Phillies hosted a College media night on Tuesday, September 13 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, which allowed students from all different schools to attend.
The media night was for college students interested in communications, broadcasting, journalism, and advertising, as well as graduate students and recent graduates.
The media night provided a behind-the-scenes look in the front office of the Philadelphia Phillies, and allowed students to ask questions on the jobs that the panel members have and what their days on the job looks like.
Tuesday’s media night consisted of a networking hour, which allowed students to talk to PPRA members and other Phillies representatives. It also included taking pictures with the World Series trophies from 1980 and 2008, and win prizes from the ball girls.
The Panel for Tuesday included Greg Casterioto, the director of baseball communications, Jeffrey Halikman, an alumni of Bucks who is a producer of Phillies Baseball for ComcastSportsNet Philadelphia, Pat McLoone, managing editor for the Philadelphia Daily News, Gregg Murphy, broadcaster for the Phillies Television Network, and Todd Zolecki, a reporter for MLB.com.
Phillies Chairman, David Montgomery, who was also at the event, talked about his experiences in the front office and took some questions from students.
After the behind-the-scenes tour, students got to enjoy the game from the scoreboard porch and got $12 to spend on food, beverages and merchandise.
18-year-old Jaimie, a criminal justice major from Widener University, said, “It was a very good opportunity. I like how everyone got their questions answered.” She said her favorite part of the night was getting to meet new people, as well as spending time with everyone who attended the event from her school.
Zolecki, of MLB.com, said while on the panel that getting out there and making an impression, even if it’s just a 10-minute conversation, it can get you an internship and opens the door to an opportunity.
Marketing major, Kola, 20-year-old from Albright College, said he believed that “the college night was very informal and extremely beneficial for all of those that attended.” He really enjoyed hearing everyone’s experiences and all of their advice.
McLoone, of the Philadelphia Daily News, said right before he handed over the microphone to Montgomery, “they are always looking for people to cover high schools.”
Murphy and Halikman said that if people get an internship, the most important thing is to do what they ask of you and to take more. “If they see you doing everything, and asking for more they will remember that.” Also to take any opportunity that you can, because you can use that to learn and grow.
The Phillies organize the media night because, “there are a lot of great students in the area, and a lot of great schools,” Montgomery said.
Matt, 24, a communications major from Philadelphia, said, “It really opened my eyes into the professional world of sports. I got a lot of valuable advice and made great connections.”
While most people found the media night fun, and informational, Matt wished they gave everyone a bit more time to talk to the representatives, “so that you could talk to even more people.” Jaimie and Matt liked the format, and Kola said, “It would have been nice to see where they do their daily work,” but overall he enjoyed the experience.
For anyone who is thinking about any media, law, business, finance, computer science, or management major or minor, the Phillies have media nights for those majors too. The media nights allow people to go and see what it would be like, to get more information, and get people’s questions answered.
There are four more Phillies College Nights this semester and more to come next season. For information on the media nights or to buy a ticket, which only costs $30, go to http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/phi/ticketing/group/splash.jsp?loc=collegenight.