California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH), The Home Depot Center, and LA Galaxy launched a new internship program this spring for two CSUDH students to work in the areas of sales, marketing and event presentation with the LA Galaxy, while earning a stipend and credits towards graduation. The new program is exclusive to CSUDH students, and will become an annual opportunity for undergraduates.
The interns are working with the LA Galaxy front office to market the May 14 LA Galaxy vs. Sporting Kansas City match to the CSUDH community, including students, alumni and administration. On the LA Galaxy web site, a web page, www.lagalaxy.com/toros, has been created for the CSUDH community to purchase specially discounted tickets to the game, which has been dubbed “Toro Night.
The students even got some help from Kei Kamara, who plays for rival Sporting Kansas City, but who also played two seasons as a CSUDH Toro before turning pro in 2006.
Working with their own marketing budget, the interns report directly to the vice president of Ticket Sales at the LA Galaxy, Tim Martin.
“We’re thrilled to have Dominguez Hills students join our sales and marketing team,” Martin said. “We look forward to building on their successes and advancing our relationship with the CSUDH community.”
In addition to working with the Galaxy and Home Depot Center front offices, the interns will interface with CSUDH administration, faculty, alumni and students during the course of their internship.
“The location on our campus of a world-class sports and entertainment facility such as The Home Depot Center offers unique educational opportunities and hands-on professional experience,” said CSUDH President Mildred García. “We are thrilled that our students will be able to participate in such an extraordinary internship learning experience that will complement and extend the excellent academic education they receive.”
This year, the internship is being fulfilled by two seniors, Robert Aragon and Melissa Velasco. Graduating this month, Aragon is a business administration major with a sports, entertainment and hospitality concentration. Last year, he interned with the LA Galaxy game-day ticket sales staff. Aragon is a member of the Latino Student Business Association (LSBA) at CSUDH.
A second-semester senior, Velasco plans to graduate next fall with a major in business administration and a concentration in marketing. She played two seasons for the CSUDH Women’s Volleyball Team and is a member of CSUDH’s Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) and The Law Society.
“This internship is a true collaboration with our facility, the Galaxy and CSUDH, and we are proud to welcome Robert and Melissa to our team,” said Katie Pandolfo, general manager of The Home Depot Center.
