Career Paths: Evans Makes Most of Marketing Opportunity
Internship led to major responsibility within athletic department
Kyle Crooks
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As an intern who’s been working with Colorado State Athletics and the marketing team for less than a year, Parker Evans latched on to the opportunity and made it his own.
At first, Evans didn’t know what to expect when he received the position this past July, but what few others expected was for him to come in with the hard-nosed work ethic he has and become a major asset for the Rams marketing team.
“My official title is the head marketing director of the CSU women’s soccer team, and I’ve been fortunate enough to help on all of their game-day materials,” Evans said. “But that privilege didn’t come without a lot of hard work.”
As the head student in charge of all operations for a historic Rams season with women’s soccer, Evans oversaw all game-day preparation as far as helping with the PA announcers, national anthem, setting up the field and was always making sure everything was running correctly and looking professional for anyone attending the game.
When presented with a task, a key characteristic Evans takes pride in is his trustworthiness to get something done -- without any questions asked and always to the best of his ability.
“Once I started soccer, Patrick Krza asked if I could start helping with game-day set up for football,” Evans said. “And from then on, I started getting more opportunities to help out in different areas, and I really started to grow with the people I was working around.”
He’s engaging and outgoing so I think those qualities, along with his passion, is something that’s going to take him a long way.”CSU Director of Community Engagement and Marketing, Brynne Davis
The 2019 Rams football team opened up with the Coors Light Ram Walk Tailgate before their season kickoff, and it’s one of the toughest events to produce and coordinate every year. Krza, CSU’s Director of Community Engagement and Fan Experience only knew of one person to help with the task and Evans earned the shot due to his diligence as an intern.
“Parker is our lead student working with me on football game day, and was in charge of the Ram Walk Tailgate,” Krza said. “His work ethic and trustworthiness are what provided him with those opportunities. Those were major responsibilities, and Parker took charge and accomplished those tasks with hard work and determination, which really helped make all of our jobs easier on game day.”
As graduation approaches in May, Evans has plans to earn his Bachelor’s in Communications and a minor in Sports Management. With a new beginning confronting Evans’ and his career, he doesn’t want to leave behind the roots he planted.
“I love Fort Collins and the atmosphere we create around our sports,” Evans said. “If the opportunity presented itself, I would love to stay here and continue being a part of this culture. I’m trying to have an open mindset about this process, whether that takes me out of Colorado as a graduate assistant or lands me a job here, I'll be more than happy.”
For Brynne Davis, CSU’s Director of Community Engagement and Marketing, it was nothing short of fun to see an intern like Evans put so much care into what he was doing, while also pushing his way into the world of marketing.
“He was really excited about everything we gave him and I loved his energy,” Davis said. “Parker takes initiative and is somebody who’s looking to take advantage of every opportunity presented to him. He’s engaging and outgoing so I think those qualities, along with his passion, is something that’s going to take him a long way.”
As Evans continues to put in his best work and be a mentor for other interns, he’ll always be grateful for the experience CSU has given him.
“I’ve always told Parker ‘What you put into it, you will get out of it’,” Krza said. “Working as hard as he did and always willing to step up and volunteer, even when the responsibility isn’t his, shows his dedication and work ethic, which is needed in college athletics.”
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