Year: Senior (2009)

Major: Communications/Journalism Minor: Writing

Born: April 3, 1987 Hartford, Connecticut

HOMETOWN/HS: Vassalboro, Maine/Erskine Academy

Sport / Position: Field Hockey (#3) Left Wing/Forward

FAVORITES:

Song: "Here it Goes" by Jimmy Eat World, although "Milk and Cereal" by G. Love and Special Sauce cracks me up...

Food: All carby or mushy foods (spaghetti, mashed potatoes, rice, oatmeal, etc.)

T.V. Shows: Family Guy, South Park, That 70's Show, The Office, 30 Rock, Flight of the Concords, Arrested Development, It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia, Dexter, Entourage, Scrubs

Book: Anything by the Doctor

Kelly Emerson recently completed her final season of the Saint Joseph's College field hockey team. In 2008, she started in 16 games for the North Atlantic Conference Runner-up Lady Monks and tallied seven goals. She capped her four years as the program's career leader in shooting percentage with a 33.3% clip. A Communications major, Emerson accepted an intern position with the Portland Sea Dogs and has been working with the club since January.

Field Hockey Head Coach Rupert Lewis:

Kelly put in the work this year to earn a starting spot and made a major contribution by posting a phenomenal senior season. She scored some key goals for us this year, including a pair of game-winning goals against NAC foe Thomas College. Kelly is very focused on the playing field and in the classroom. I'm certain she will achieve great things wherever life takes her.

Portland Sea Dogs Executive Vice President & Assistant General Manager John Kameisha:

Every year we receive over 100 applications for only about 6-8 internship positions. Thus, it is very competitive to be offered one of these positions. Kelly Emerson was selected because of her poise and intelligence that she showed during her interview. Her position here at the ballpark requires her to interact with numerous individuals, all with different concerns and problems. I am sure she will handle all of these with grace and the correct way. Her experience in retail operations was also a huge plus. So far she has helped out in securing ad copy from companies for our game day program, assisted in writing editorial copy for the game program and started receiving new inventory for the Souvenir Shop and displaying this new inventory in our store and on-line merchandise page. Her next assignment will be to assist in hiring and training new game day employees for the store.

FEATURE QUESTIONS:
Why did you choose Saint Joseph's College?

I applied to several different schools throughout the Northeast, but my sister, Karla, had attended St. Joe's so I was able to gain a better perspective about the school. The small campus was appealing to me; I loved the fact that I would be able to just roll out of bed and walk two feet to my class. Everyone was also very welcoming and friendly. They were all helpful in clarifying any questions I had. It seemed like a close community. It was also nice to know that with smaller classes I would be able to receive more attention from professors.

What was your first job?

My first job was at Hamilton's Dairy Barn scooping homemade ice cream. I've worked there for the past seven summers, but by the end of summer 2k8 I finally retired!

What is on your "Bucket List?"

Narrowing my bucket list down to three things is impossible to do at only 21 years old! In this lifetime I would like to spend 24 hours alone in the jungle, take a ride on a Russian MiG-Fighter Jet, visit the Pyramids of Egypt, dive with a whale shark, ride the Trans-Siberian Express across Asia, be someone's mentor, experience weightlessness, learn to drive a standard, watch a real tornado (from a safe distance), run a marathon, learn to yodel, learn to tango dance in Argentina, drive a race car, fly in a blimp, experience Mardi Gras in New Orleans, set foot on each of the seven continents, cross a glacier on foot, climb an active volcano, attend the Olympics, stand at the North or South Pole, watch the sun rise on the coast of Maine and then watch the sun set on the coast of California on the same day, and make enough money to be able to do most of these things!  

Talent you'd most like to have:

I'd really like to be able to snap my fingers!

What do you drive?

I drive a little 1997 Hombre Isuzu pickup truck.

Do you have any superstitions before you go into a big game?

Every game is a big game. I don't have any specific superstitions, but I do like to laugh a lot beforehand. I believe everyone plays their best when they're relaxed and having a good time with the sport they love. The team and I will also gather in front of the goal cage right before the game begins for our "I'm so Psyched" cheer. It gets us all pretty amped. No game feels right if we forget to go through this motion.

What is your most memorable moment as an athlete at SJC?

My most memorable moment as an athlete as SJC was when we beat Farmington for the first time at home. It felt great to have them walk off our field silent instead of singing their "Beaver Pride" song!

Who has had the greatest impact on your life?

My whole family has had a huge impact on my life. They taught me how to work hard and appreciate what I have. My father, mother, sister, and brother have always been there to support me no matter what the occasion, which encourages me to be the best that I can.

Can you tell us something about you that most people don't know?

I have a slight case of carpal tunnel in my right hand and wrist from scooping ice cream for so long!

Where do you see yourself in five years?

In five years I see myself graduated with my master's degree in communications, living comfortably with a stable job, and traveling a lot.

If you could meet anyone (past or present) who would it be and why?

I would like to meet Tina Fey because she seems like a very smart/witty person. She has amazing writing skills, which helped her to become the first female head writer in the history of Saturday Night Live. I think she would be a fun person to hang out with. I bet she would have a lot of interesting stories!

What are your hobbies?

I used to love horseback riding until I was kicked in the back of my thigh one day by an anxious horse during feeding time. Other than that, I enjoy running, photography, kneeboarding, traveling, laughing, hiking, and chirp tracking.

Can you tell us about your internship with the Portland Sea Dogs?  

As with most majors, everyone in communications has to complete an internship at some point. I knew I wanted to be involved with sports so I asked around and found out what my options were. My top two choices were the Portland Pirates and the Portland Sea Dogs. I had heard many good things about the Portland Sea Dogs organization plus I really like baseball so I decided to give it a shot.

My first step was to apply and I made sure I did so early on as many students compete for the positions. I had to send a résumé and cover letter in along with completing an online questionnaire. I also knew several people who had been involved with the Sea Dogs. They helped me out by calling in a recommendation on my behalf. After a couple weeks, a representative from the Sea Dogs got in touch with me to set up an interview date.

When the time came, I was expecting to be interviewed by one or two people. Instead, there was a table full of six people! I didn't let the number of individuals intimidate me and I answered their questions to the best of my ability. After the interview, I promptly sent out a thank you letter to each person who was present.

I didn't hear back from them for a while so I became nervous. Just as I was about to start searching for a different internship, John Kameisha (the executive vice president) called me and asked if I would accept the merchandising opening. He said that I would also be helping out in the media relations department as well if I joined their team. I was very excited and agreed to the offer.

I began in January and I show up at the office three times a week since I have other classes I need to attend. Once I graduate in May, I will be living in Portland so I will be able to be there every day throughout the summer. Since the season hasn't started yet, I have just been getting used to the system. I have been helping them put together the 2009 Game Program, learning how to update the website, making phone calls to companies concerning their ad copy, becoming familiar with the merchandise, sitting in on and giving my input during meetings that deal with the billboards on Hadlock Field, and answering emails from customers about the merchandise. All the managers and other interns are really down to earth and easy to get along with. I enjoy the work I've done so far and look forward to the upcoming season!

What will you be doing for spring break?

While everyone is on spring break, I will be getting the store game-ready. The opener is on April 9th. New merchandise is coming in every day and John and I have been arranging the store so that it is not only eye appeasing, but convenient for the employees and customers. For the past three years I've had my fair share of spring break trips, so I really don't mind missing this one. Plus, being part of an organization that deals with a minor league team is pretty exciting. You get a first hand look at all the behind the scenes work that takes place. Not too many people are presented with an opportunity like this.

As a communications major, what type of job will you seek after graduation?

I would first like to earn my master's degree. Then, if I'm focused enough, I'm hoping that I can land a job with the Boston Red Sox dealing with merchandise or media relations (just as I am now for the Portland Sea Dogs). If not, I would also love to obtain a job in broadcasting for sports or entertainment.

Do you plan on playing or coaching field hockey after you leave St. Joe's?

I will definitely play in pick-up games with my friends whenever I get the opportunity! As far as coaching goes, I will most likely look into it someday when I settle down in one specific area.

PUBLISHED 3/5/09