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July 24, 2023 | By Cole Hatcher

Goalie Scores

Ohio Wesleyan Sports Management Major Earns Columbus Crew Internship

Paddy Colligan ’24

Name: Paddy Colligan ’24
Hometown: Greenwich, Connecticut
High School: Greenwich High School
Major: Sports and Exercise Management
Minor: Psychology
OWU Connection Experience: Columbus Crew internship

Colligan is working is spending the summer working as an operations assistant for the Columbus Crew, the city’s Major League Soccer (MLS) team. Colligan’s duties include helping to prepare the stadium for match days and events. OWU classmate Taylor McCracken ’24 of Morrow, Ohio, is working in the team’s marketing department.

My Favorite Moment

“I really enjoyed working the press conference for the announcement of the 2024 MLS All-Star game being hosted by the Columbus Crew. I saw the owners of the Browns (Haslam Sports Group), the Columbus Crew GM (general manager) and president, and the MLS commissioner. It was very fun and great to see so many famous people.”

Lessons Learned

“It has been great to see my bosses work. They have serious impacts on the team and things behind the scenes, which many people don’t think about. When you think of a pro sports team, it’s always the athletes and the coaching staff. But there is so much more management that happens that allows the team to be successful.

Ohio Wesleyan student Paddy Colligan ’24 (far right) gathers with the Columbus Crew operations department during the 2024 All-Star Game announcement. Colligan is interning as an operations assistant with the professional soccer team. (Photo courtesy of Columbus Crew)

“I could foresee myself becoming my bosses. I think becoming the GM of a sports team is my ideal goal. But working my way up through the operations department could be very cool. Basically, my bosses take more control of the more exciting parts of operations and management, which I hope I can get to.”

My OWU Mentors

“Dr. (Kate) Riffee and Dr. Jay Martin (men’s soccer coach). Dr. Riffee had a great influence on my getting the internship. She has a connection whom I met at a networking event at the Columbus Blue Jackets. (Both faculty members are part of the Department of Health and Human Kinetics.)

My Campus Involvements

“Goalie on the men’s lacrosse team.”

Why I Chose Ohio Wesleyan?

“I was recruited to play on the men’s lacrosse team by Coach (Mike) Plantholt, which largely influenced my decision.”

My Plans After Graduation

“My plan is to hopefully work with the Crew when I graduate. If not there, then go back home and coach club/high school lacrosse.”