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Summer Internship Series: Matt Reny, Communications Intern with Columbus Crew SC

October 20, 2015

Summer Internship Series: Matt Reny, Communications Intern with Columbus Crew SC

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This 2015-2016 Major League Soccer season has been one to remember, especially for us with Columbus Crew SC. Crew SC is currently sitting in third place in the Eastern Conference, fighting to keep a top six spot for the playoffs this fall. Kei Kamara, Crew SC Forward, is the current MLS goal-scoring leader alongside Crew SC midfielder, Ethan Finlay, tied at the top for the league assist leader.

Being a part of the communications team for this club has been everything that I was told it would be. I have been lucky enough to take part in every task, giving me full experience of what it is like to keep the communications part of the show running. Setup, media will call, photo marshalling, stats duty, post-match interviews and transcribing have all been part of my responsibilities this season.

Throughout the 12 home matches so far this season, I have been within arms-reach of the league’s biggest stars. Jozy Altidore, Michael Bradley, Clint Dempsey and Omar Gonzalez have all visited the city of Columbus and MAPFRE Stadium. Whether it has been recording their interviews, just passing them in the player’s tunnel or watching them warm up right in front of me, it has been a very cool experience.

On July 19, I received a text message from my boss, Ryan, telling me to meet him in the Heineken Lounge when I arrived for the match that day. When I arrived and entered the lounge there was a camera crew shooting an interview with Crew SC legend Frankie Hejduk. Ryan informed me that this was the video team from MLSsoccer.com and they were here to shoot a documentary on the city of Columbus and the Crew SC fans. They had no idea what they were in for because Frankie and the Crew SC fans are the best in the nation. By the end of the night I think that they realized this. Ryan put me in charge of escorting and helping them with anything that they needed before and during the match. This became the highlight of the season, as I got to follow around the well-known show host Rachel Bonnetta and her team while they filmed anything and everything on Crew SC and their fans. I was given the power to allow them to do whatever they needed, and to make sure that no one was there to stop them. This responsibility gave me a different experience from the same set-up, photo-marshalling and stats from the previous 11 matches.

Check out their final video: Cruisin' Columbus with Frankie Hejduk | Get Me In There: Episode 5.

I have gained all of the experience I had imagined and there are still five home matches to go. If Columbus Crew SC keeps their steady dominance at home, the city of Columbus, its fans and the staff will get to cheer them on through the playoffs this fall.

 

 View all of the students blogging as part of the Ohio State School of Communication Summer Internship Series.