By Katie Gerbasich

Grace O’Donnell was a former Editor/Events Assistant intern with the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute. After graduating from Clemson, she is now working for Clemson Football in the recruiting department.

What does your job in the recruiting department with Clemson Football look like? 

One of the things I love most about my job is that no two days ever look the same. While we’re in season, a large part of the position is preparing for gameday when we have anywhere from 80 to 120 prospects and their guests coming to town. I’ll do event set up and take down, check guests in when they first arrive and gather some personal information for our records, direct guests once they’re inside the stadium and generally serve as a point of contact for them. When it’s not game day, there’s always a lot of office work to be done: sending out graphics to our guys, logging game day reports, creating new content to send out and much more. I really respect my boss’s and the hard work they’ve put into making Clemson recruiting one of the highest standards in the country.

How have you taken what you learned with the Institute into what you’re doing now?

The Institute set me up for success in ways I never could have imagined. Most of my previous work experience came from being Sports Editor of The Tiger, which is something I wouldn’t trade for the world. However, I began to feel like I had boxed myself into a corner with sports writing and I didn’t want that to be the only thing I did/only career field I could look into. When I interviewed with the Institute, they offered me a split role: Editor/Events Assistant so that I could start building experience on the event operations side. Our events lead, Kyler, did an amazing job setting everything up and working with vendors, and I loved watching her and gaining some insight. After helping with the inaugural RECESS Symposium, I knew my future lay in event operations and giving people the best game day experience possible.

What are your future plans looking like?

Once this season ends, I’ll be applying for a full time position in event operations with an NFL team or another college program. I love Clemson and the almost five years I’ve spent here, but I’m also super excited to take what I’ve learned here and bring it into the real world. I truly enjoy serving people and want to continue finding unique ways to do that in the world of football

What advice would you give to current students regarding the Institute?

Apply, apply, apply! The Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute may sound like an intimidating place, but the people and the work could not be more fulfilling and welcoming. I don’t come from a strong STEM or research background, but the Institute found a role that was perfect for my strengths. Whether you’re a more hands-on, scientific person or someone studying marketing and communications, there’s a spot for you on the team. A huge shout out to Kayla, John, Taylor, Natalie, Kyler, Katie and all our RHBSSI fellows for making our Wednesday afternoon meetings something I genuinely looked forward to.

On Friday, October 17, Clemson University’s Brook T. Smith Launchpad hosted its second-annual Sports Entrepreneurship Symposium in downtown Clemson.

From the Launchpad on LinkedIn, “Today we held our annual Sports Entrepreneurship Symposium at Clemson’s Brook T. Smith Launchpad. Clemson-affiliated leaders and experts shared their stories, discussed the latest developments in the field, and bonded together as Tigers. Almost 200 students, faculty, staff, and community members will benefit from the wisdom that was dispensed and new personal connections that were formed.”

Affiliates from Clemson’s Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute (RHBSSI) presented and attended the symposium.

John DesJardins, Ph.D., interim director of the Institute, shared about academic opportunities in sport at Clemson, noting that there are more than 30 faculty, 55 courses and 2,500 students learning about sport through the lens of various disciplines each year. He also invited guests to attend the Institute’s upcoming RECESS symposium the week of November 10 to learn more about the academic side of sport at Clemson.

Graduate student in the Department of Bioengineering supported by the Institute, Connor Moore, presented with a panel on sports analytics and the sports tech industry. Moore has studied how analytics can have an impact on athlete performance and injury prevention in baseball.

“We are grateful to the Launchpad for inviting RHBSSI to have a presence at their sports entrepreneurship event,” thanked Kayla Rogers, assistant director of the Institute. “We met some wonderful Clemson students interested in studying sport and made connections with attendees with unique backgrounds from across the sports industry.”

By Evelyn Lane

Melody Chambers graduated from Clemson in 2024 with a B.S. in Marketing and minors in Sports Communication and Brand Communications. She received the Markvan Bellamy Brooks Endowed Scholarship in 2024. During her time at Clemson, she worked with the Clemson University Athletic Department as a Clemson University Marketing Intern and a Client Services Intern.

How have you utilized your major/concentration in sports to help your career?

My degree has been invaluable in building the foundation for my career in sports. Courses like Sports Marketing I & II with Amanda Cooper Fine taught me the strategy behind brand partnerships, fan engagement, and sponsorship activation – all concepts I apply daily. Those classes, paired with real-world projects integrated into other core courses, helped me develop both the hard and soft skills needed to succeed in the industry.

What is your current role, where, and what do you do?

I am the Coordinator of Partnership Activation for the Milwaukee Brewers. I manage key relationships between our corporate partners and the club, helping bring their brands to life through on-site activations, in-stadium experiences, and community initiatives that connect with Brewers fans and the greater Milwaukee community. 

What was your journey like since graduating from Clemson?

After graduating from Clemson, I pursued my MBA from the University of South Florida while working as a Partnerships Fellow with the Tampa Bay Lighting. I joined the Milwaukee Brewers full-time in July of 2025, where I now support our Partnership Activation team during an exciting time for the organization.  

What advice would you give to future Brooks scholars as they approach post-grad?

Be confident in your journey and trust the timing of your path. Take the time to build genuine relationships, ask thoughtful questions, and stay open to opportunities that stretch you beyond your comfort zone. Lastly, keep showing up with curiosity, humility, and gratitude; it will take you farther than you ever expect. 

By Katie Gerbasich

Lauren Crumley was a former Events Lead intern with the Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute. After graduating from Clemson, she is now a Corporate Partnerships Associate for USRowing, the national governing body for rowing in the US.

What does your job as a Corporate Partnerships Associate look like? 

I get to work with a lot of different people both inside and outside of USRowing in my role. Internally, I am on the development team where our primary focus is growing USRowing resources especially as we look ahead to the 2028 Olympics. I also work very closely with our marketing and communications and competition teams. With the marketing and communications team, I work to ensure all of our partner deliverables are met (email marketing, social media etc). I also manage all of our vendors and sponsors at our regional and national championship regattas so I work very closely with our competition team for that. Externally, we have a wide range of sponsors at USRowing who I get to work with. We talk frequently with our sponsors to manage and strengthen our partnership. 

How have you taken what you learned with the Institute into what you’re doing now? 

My internship at the Institute was in events, which is an area I have a lot of touchpoint with in my role. Events have a lot of moving parts and different stakeholders, and handling that is something that the Institute helped me learn and that I take into my work now.

What are your future plans looking like? 

We’re very excited at USRowing for the Olympics to be in the US in less than three years and to have our national team competing on the world stage in LA. A lot of organizational strategy and work comes with that focus and look to the future.

What advice would you give to current students regarding the Institute? 

Apply for an internship with the Institute. The ability to have an internship during the semester on campus while taking classes is rare and not necessarily available at a lot of places like it is at Clemson, so definitely take advantage.

By Evelyn Lane

Scarlett Lawhorne graduated from Clemson in 2021 with a degree in Recreational Therapy. She received the Markvan Bellamy Brooks Endowed Scholarship in 2020. During her time at Clemson, she interned with Clemson Campus Recreation as a fitness assistant and a recreation specialist to help grow her skills in the recreational therapy field.

How have you utilized your major/concentration in sports to help your career?

Recreational therapy enhances my role by helping me design inclusive programs that support physical, emotional, and social well-being.  I use therapeutic recreation techniques to adapt activities so that individuals of all abilities can participate fully and confidently. Whether it’s through adaptive sports, inclusive camps, or community events, I focus on creating environments where everyone feels valued and engaged. This approach strengthens community connections and aligns with the core mission of parks and recreation — to serve all.

What is your current role and where are you located?

As the Adaptive and Inclusive Recreation Coordinator for Pasco County Parks, Recreation and Natural Recourses in Florida, I use recreational therapy to design and deliver programs that promote inclusion, wellness, and community connection. Through the P.A.I.R. program’s five pillars — Adaptive Recreation, Para Sports, RECreate Your Mind: Mental Health Awareness, Cultural and Consciousness Programming, and Accessible Recreation — I apply therapeutic recreation strategies to meet diverse needs and remove barriers to participation. Recreational therapy is not just a tool — it’s the foundation for building a more inclusive parks and recreation system.

What was your journey like since graduating from Clemson?

Since graduating, I’ve had the privilege of working with Pasco County Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources, where I’ve grown both personally and professionally. Starting my career here allowed me to dive directly into inclusive programming and community engagement. Over the years, I’ve developed and led initiatives through the P.A.I.R. program, focusing on accessibility, adaptive sports, mental health, and cultural awareness. Along the way, I’ve built strong relationships with coworkers, community partners, and participants — all of whom have shaped and inspired my work. It’s been a rewarding journey rooted in service, innovation, and a passion for creating spaces where everyone belongs.

What advice would you give to future Brooks Scholars as they approach post-grad?

As you step into your career, stay open to learning and lean into every opportunity to grow — even the small ones. Build genuine connections with your coworkers and community; those relationships will become your greatest support system and source of inspiration. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, try new things, and advocate for inclusion wherever you go. Most importantly, remember that your passion and purpose will guide you — trust it. Keep learning, stay curious, and remember: impact often starts with simply being present.