The National Soccer Coaches Association of America would like to welcome seven interns for its 2012 Summer Internship Program. From England to Indiana to right here in the Kansas City area, the new NSCAA interns are ready for an amazing experience with the largest soccer coaches’ organization in the world.

As a part of the NSCAA Internship Program, this summer’s interns will work in one of NSCAA’s departments: Marketing, Finance, Education, Events, College Services or Graphic Design. While learning the in-and-outs of their respective field, interns will also have the opportunity to attend learning seminars and earn an NSCAA Coaching Diploma at no cost.

Furthermore, NSCAA interns will be given the chance to work on partner projects throughout the semester with NSCAA partners such as adidas, Eurosport, Kwik Goal, MLS  and FOX Soccer. Finally, several intern outings are planned throughout the summer in order to experience Kansas City events, such as Sporting KC and Royals games.

Most importantly, all NSCAA interns will have the opportunity to attend the 2013 NSCAA Convention in Indianapolis. Known as “The World’s Largest Annual Gathering of Soccer Coaches”, attendees can go to the MLS SuperDraft, watch sessions from world class clinicians and attend socials held by NSCAA partners for outstanding networking opportunities.

For more information about the NSCAA Internship Program, click here. 

Meet the 2012 Summer Interns

Name: Sam Blake

Hometown: London, England (now reside in Chester Springs, PA)

Education: Graduated from Elon University with a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management

NSCAA Department: Education

Q: What are you hoping to accomplish this summer?

SB: I want to gain some good connections and understand how the NSCAA works with soccer throughout the country.

Q: What is your favorite food?

SB: Thai Green Curry

Q: What was your favorite childhood TV show?

SB: Noddy (an English TV show) and Mr. Bean

Q: If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

SB: Teleport

Q: If you could be one animal besides human, what would it be?

SB: A dog

Name: Michael Bertarelli

Hometown: St. Louis, MO

Education: Junior at University of Missouri-Columbia studying Marketing

NSCAA Department: Marketing/Finance

Q: What are you hoping to accomplish this summer?

MB: I want to gain work experience and learn what the NSCAA is all about.

Q: What is your favorite food?

MB: Toasted Ravioli

Q: What was your favorite childhood TV show?

MB: Keenan and Kel

Q: If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

MB: To fly

Q: If you could be one animal besides human, what would it be?

MB: A panda due to their perseverance as endangered animals and being very cuddly.

Name: Kellie Donnelly

Hometown: Fort Wayne, IN

Education: Graduated from the University of Indianapolis with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a double emphasis in Public Relations and Journalism and a Spanish Minor.

NSCAA Department: Marketing/Communication

Q: What are you hoping to accomplish this summer?

KD: I want to learn how to combine my public relations and journalism skills into one effective communication tool

Q: What is your favorite food?

KD: Ice cream

Q: What was your favorite childhood TV show?

KD: All the old Nickelodeon shows – Doug, Hey Arnold, Are you Afraid of the Dark – there are too many!

Q: If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

KD: Teleport

Q: If you could be one animal besides human, what would it be?

KD: A dolphin

Name: Phil Gomez

Hometown: Shawnee, KS

Education: Will be a senior at Kansas State University studying Marketing and American Ethnic Studies with a Leadership Studies Minor.

NSCAA Department: Marketing

Q: What are you hoping to accomplish this summer?

PG: I hope to gain a once-in-a-life time experience that you can't learn in a college classroom that will benefit my growth and development in the field of marketing.  I have already been involved in numerous marketing projects, but I am most looking forward to assisting the NSCAA with the 2013 Convention in Indy and setting up that marketing campaign.  So far the internship has been great! I get to come into work every day knowing that I am doing will help the growth of soccer, I couldn't ask for anything better than that!   

Q: What is your favorite food?

PG: Pizza, just like Ninja Turtles!

Q: What was your favorite childhood TV show?

PG: All Saturday morning cartoons were the best with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles...COWABUNGA DUDE!!!

Q: If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

PG: I just want to be like BATMAN, the guy is a wealthy businessman who goes out at night to beats up the bad guys...sounds like a sweet job to me!  

Q: If you could be one animal besides human, what would it be?

PG: A wildcat!

Name: Kathleen Hermesch

Hometown: Lawrence, KS

Education: I went to the University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth, Kan. And graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Art with a concentration in Graphic Design.

NSCAA Department: Graphic Design

Q: What are you hoping to accomplish this summer?

KH: As this is my second internship, I want to learn within a different company and see how things can be done differently or similarly to my previous experience. I also want to learn more about the different departments. I am used to limitations and want to expand my creative thinking.

Q: What is your favorite food?

KH: My family’s Mexican food, specifically chicken tacos

Q: What was your favorite childhood TV show?

KH: Pokemon

Q: If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

KH: To stop time  

Q: If you could be one animal besides human, what would it be?

KH: A wallaby because it’s my favorite animal

Name: Matthew Folger

Hometown: Cranford, N.J.

Education: Graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication

NSCAA Department: Marketing

Q: What are you hoping to accomplish this summer?

MF: I hope to help grow the sport of soccer in the United States and gain experience that will build toward my goal of working in the industry.

Q: What is your favorite food?

MF: Chicken francese

Q: What is your favorite childhood show?

MF: Salute your Shorts

Q: If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

MF: I would love to talk to animals. More like Eliza Thornberry, less like Harry Potter.

Q: If you could be one animal besides human, what would it be?

MF: A bald eagle

Name: Mitch Parkhill

Hometown: Louisburg, Kansas

Education: Graduated from the Morningside College with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting and Finance and a minor in Sports Management and a Coaching Endorsement

NSCAA Department: Finance

Q: What are you hoping to accomplish this summer?

MP: To get some valuable experience that will help me in the future

Q: What is your favorite food?

MP: Chicken

Q: What is your favorite childhood show?

MP: Saved by the Bell

Q: If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

MP: It would have to be to fly

Q: If you could be one animal besides human, what would it be?

MP: Tiger

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