Precious Bross is seeing the game in a different way. South Carolina's rising junior softball player is enjoying working with the Gamecock marketing team as part of Athletics Department's Beyond Sports Summer Internship and Professional Development Program and is getting a better understanding of everything that happens on game day.
“My ultimate goal would be to work in something like we have here, in an athletics department, with a sports team, or something else in the sports industry,†said Bross, a marketing major who grew up in Columbia and recently finished her first season with the Gamecocks after playing her freshman season at Georgia. “Since there aren't a lot of sports going on right now, I'm picking their brains and asking a lot of questions.
“There are other events such as with the new baseball coach coming in and having to prepare for the fanfest event. I'm also learning a lot about ticketing.â€
As a participant in games on the softball diamond, she's now more aware of all the other things going on around her on game day besides what she and her teammates are doing on the field.
“When softball was done, baseball was still playing for a little bit, so I had the chance to help out with some of the baseball game days,†Bross said. “I learned a lot about how everything is timed out exactly because everything has to be on time with all the games being televised. Seeing how that is all managed has been cool.
“Seeing how much preparation they have to have for each game surprised me a little bit. They'll have all their scripts and all that done in January before we come back from break. So, they're thinking about all of that ahead of time in the fall. So far, I've enjoyed everything. It's neat seeing all the events come together and even seeing how they handle any little mishaps.â€
Beyond Sports is a professional development and summer internship program that provides student-athletes with a meaningful professional development and work experience, while also helping them to be better prepared for professional life after college. Now that she has dipped her toes into the marketing waters with her Beyond Sports internship, Bross feels like she has chosen the right career path and will likely notice what other schools are doing more as she travels for games next year.
“I like to talk to people, and I'm very outgoing,†Bross said. “I like being creative. Just confirming that this is something I'm interested in has been helpful and having an idea of what I'm getting into is great.
“The people that work with Beyond Sports, they're very invested in my future and made it easy to get placed here.â€
It's not the first time Bross has been all in with something. Bross began playing softball in the fourth grade and was hooked on the sport immediately.
“I like that there is always a challenge,†Bross said. “Softball is always pushing you. Some days you feel amazing, and some days you can fall off a little bit. There are so many parts of the game I had to learn about.â€
Although she missed a large part of last season due to injury, Bross is excited to be back in her hometown where both of her parents also went to college, and she looks forward to competing next season.
“I wanted to come back here because I loved what the coaching staff was doing here. I grew up here and have always been a Gamecock fan. Seeing what they're doing with the program in turning it around is something I really wanted to be a part of.
“Next year I just want to be healthy and go out there stronger than ever. I want us to have a team that feels really connected and try to be a leader.â€
