Lakers score with Detroit Lions internships

GVSU graduate student Cristiana Rosa has made it a point to appreciate the moment. In her role as a hype squad promotional member with the Detroit Lions during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, it can be easy to get caught up in the routine of work and not recognize the momentous experience around her.

“I’m experiencing things that most of the world will never get to do,” said Rosa, who is pursuing a master’s degree in communications. “I’ve been trying to remind myself to take a step back, ground myself and take that breath.”

Recognizing the unique opportunity of working with the Lions is something fellow Laker Annabel Gerrity can relate to. The senior, graduating this spring with a degree in advertising and public relations, worked with the team as a training camp assistant in the summer of 2022 and as a Quick Lane Bowl intern in 2023.

As metro Detroit natives and students aspiring for careers in sports, Rosa and Gerrity saw working with the Lions as an opportunity impossible to pass up. Rosa’s role led her in front of the camera while Gerrity’s role placed her behind the scenes.

Rosa’s passion for on-camera work blossomed during her undergraduate studies at Central Michigan University. While earning a degree in integrative public relations and sports management, Rosa worked for the Chippewas’ athletic department as an athletic communications and multimedia intern. This opportunity allowed her to create digital content, host athletic events and help pioneer the department’s sideline reporter role. She leveraged her experience to get freelance opportunities with other university athletic departments, as well as an on-field host internship with the Lansing Lugnuts.

Before she entered her final year at CMU, Rosa scoured job boards, searching for the next opportunity to gain experience. It was there where she found her current position with the Lions after interviewing and receiving an offer she could not refuse.

“I said ‘yes’ right away,” said Rosa, who also works for GVSU Athletics as an athletics communications assistant. “The Detroit Lions, I’ve grown up with them, and they’re my dream team, anyway.”

Rosa is grateful for the work experience afforded to her by the organization. She said her managers understood her career aspirations and provided opportunities for her, even if it was outside the scope of her position’s description. She recalled emceeing the Lions training camp as one such instance.

Rosa’s role with the Lions is a first step towards her ultimate goal of being a sports reporter or anchor. While she would love for that opportunity to come with the Lions, she is open to any on-camera sports media reporting. She said that building relationships with current Lions reporter Danny Rogers and others in the field has helped her along the way.

“Being right next to them makes me more optimistic that I can get there,” Rosa said. “I know that it’s a long way down, but I’ve been doing a lot to get there. Just being wherever I can, capitalizing on every opportunity.”

Gerrity was initially unsure about a career in sports, but she made sure to take advantage of the opportunity to shadow Lions employees when the chance came along. It was during this job shadowing where her interest was piqued.

“I was able to see what they did and then I realized that I loved it,” said Gerrity, who currently works promotions for the GVSU Office of Student Life.

Gerrity joined the Lions’ six-week training camp program, setting up, running and taking down the event each day. Her group would be the first to arrive early in the morning. During the event, she would help people get to where they needed to be, including leading famous Lions alumni around to different areas. Then she was one of the last to leave, getting people out of the space so that they could prepare for the next day.

Her time working the Lions training camp overlapped with the team being featured on the documentary series, "Hard Knocks." The documentary crew’s presence recorded some memories for Gerrity.

“It’s kind of cool to watch that back and look and see me running around in the background,” she said.

Gerrity continued to gain experience in sports event planning and organization during her time working the 2023 Quick Lane Bowl, held at Ford Field. During the event planning for the Christmas Eve game, Gerrity had the opportunity to lead players and coaches around to different activities, including a fowling competition (football bowling) between the teams.

Both opportunities confirmed to Gerrity that she wanted to work in the sports marketing and events field. However, she is not limiting herself to just her hometown teams.

“I’m a die-hard Lions fan, and it would be hard to steer away from that, but I’ve always been the person that [understands] there’s so much out there to see. There’s so many other places I could live,” Gerrity said. “So if an opportunity presents itself and it’s in a cool location, I’m definitely going to take it.”

There are at least nine other GVSU alumni who work for the Lions, including four on the cheer team.