When Jordyn Knight applied for an internship with Husker Athletics, her family was surprised.
“I wasn’t even a big sports person,” she said. “Growing up, I never really played sports, so when I told my dad I applied, he was so confused. But it really is the people for me. Being able to connect with community in unique and fun ways is really fulfilling.”
The job — marketing and fan experience intern — was so rewarding that it set Knight on a path to her future career.
Knight, who will graduate with a degree in advertising and public relations on May 9, parlayed the experience into her first job, a guest experience coordinator with the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League. Knight said her internship and the hands-on classes of her major built both her skills and her confidence.
“The more games I worked and the more times I was tested, it pushed me to realize I am capable of being a leader and being someone people can go to for help,” Knight said. “I feel like I have a lot more confidence speaking my mind and putting myself out there.”
Knight, who grew up in Omaha, began her Husker career as a marketing major, but she learned more about what is involved in the advertising and public relations major and recognized new possibilities for creativity. She changed her major and said there was no looking back.
Knight quickly learned the importance of collaboration through her courses. In one of her favorite classes, Copy and Concept, students worked in rotating groups to build a campaign.
“It was a fun way to get to know other people in the same major and learn how other people’s brains work,” she said. “I came out with some really cool stuff that I was proud to put in my portfolio, and I feel like I’m graduating with a solid portfolio that I’m proud to submit.”
Courses that taught Knight about various skills like photography, videography and web design demanded that she commit to going all in and putting her best foot forward, she said.
“I’m being challenged to exercise my creativity in ways that I feel like taking a test or learning out of a textbook can’t do,” she said.
Knight's creativity and ability to connect with people also grew during her internship with Husker Athletics and raised the level of her work. In her internship, she and other team members coordinated things like halftime programming, the national anthem, giveaways and game themes.
Over the course of the two years she worked the internship, Knight worked with just about every team across the department, but she was at various times the lead intern for track and field, swimming and diving, and women’s and men’s basketball. Especially memorable was working with the 2025-26 men’s basketball team during its historic run to the Sweet 16.
“It challenged me in a lot of ways,” she said. “It was sold-out game after sold-out game. I learned that I love to work under pressure.”
Adding to the atmosphere for spectators grew into the most fulfilling part of the job for Knight. She often acted as a guide for the “Kid of the Game” and “Veteran of the Game” on game days and loved seeing how they reacted when recognized.
“That moment of bringing them out and the joy it brings them, and knowing I got to play a part in that, is something that means so much to me,” she said.
Through these experiences, Knight realized going the extra mile for fans creates memories for them that she is grateful to be part of. Even grabbing an extra T-shirt for a kid who missed one being tossed into the crowd makes the experience even more special for them, she said, and makes them feel part of the fan community.
“It’s why I love working in sports,” she said. “It’s just people all coming together to watch something they love and they’re so passionate about. … It’s something so small, but those little things do add up. I like being that person to do things that make people feel special, and this job gives you endless opportunities to be able to do that.”
An internship with the Miami Dolphins last summer cemented the decision to enter this line of work, Knight said. It also offered the opportunity to network with people in the Florida sports world, leading to her position with the Panthers. She will continue to manage in-game fan experiences and guest services and oversee elements like event staff and part-time parking and ticketing staff — including for concerts and other events at Amerant Bank Arena.
“It’s putting out all the little fires that come with fans and the chaos of game day, and I personally love that,” she said.
Knight looks forward to living in a new place and gaining new experiences. She feels her experiences at the university have prepared her to succeed in her next chapter.
“Having the opportunity to start my new path on my own is something I’m so excited for, and I’m so proud of myself for making the jump,” Knight said.
