Enhancing the Fan Experience Deepens LMU Interns’ Appreciation

As Loyola Marymount University geared up for the beginning of the school year, the campus was also bustling with the 2026 Rams Training Camp.

Thousands of Rams fans came to campus to see the open practices and participate in the festivities and pick up merchandise. Local news crews reported daily from LMU, and the national sporting press watched the team's developments.

The Los Angeles Rams and LMU are three years into a unique, multi-year partnership that mutually benefits the National Football League team and its higher education affiliate.

This summer, 30 LMU students completed internships during 2026 Rams Training Camp, while a new cohort will begin internships with the organization this fall, and more than 50 students will participate in mentorship opportunities throughout the academic year. These distinctive opportunities reinforce a partnership that continues to redefine experiential learning - equipping students with practical skills, professional networks, and pathways to meaningful careers.

In all, more than 1,500 LMU students and all seven LMU schools and colleges have participated in Rams programmin g that connects classroom learning with real-world experience where students gain behind-the-scenes access to the sports and entertainment industry and learn directly from Rams leaders through guest lectures and exclusive experiences.

Kai Vaughn, a senior communication studies major, supported the fan engagement activations and interactive experiences to enhance the overall guest experience for the thousands of attendees. "As a communication studies and PR student," Vaughn said, "I am interested in communication efforts and brand identity and image. The Rams Training Camp is a direct experience that upholds the Rams' identity and image, and they continue to host amazing camps annually that focus on giving back to their fans."

Cieara Briones, a senior journalism major, was placed at different parts of Training Camp each day where she assisted fans with activations or answered any questions they may have had. "As a journalism major with the goal of working in sports, my experience as a Training Camp intern has taught me how meaningful preseason events like Training Camp are to fans before the season officially begins."

Avery Chavez, a senior marketing major, supported a variety of operational areas, including the Fan Zone, ticketing, parking, guest services, and wayfinding. "For many fans, this is their only opportunity to experience the Rams in person," Chavez said. "So, it's our job to make their visit memorable. Whether it's helping a family find their way or creating a positive first impression, every interaction contributes to getting fans excited for the upcoming season and proud to be part of the Rams community."

Chavez also said, "This internship has been an amazing opportunity to see everything I've been learning in class applied in a real-world setting. Before this experience, I thought of marketing as things like advertising, social media, and promotions, but Training Camp has shown me that it's so much more than that. Every detail, from parking and ticketing to the Fan Zone and guest interactions, plays a role in shaping the overall fan experience and how people connect with the Rams."

"As an intern, I realized that Training Camp threw me into a crowd of fans and challenged me to quickly build a sense of community," said Kelly Jeong, a junior journalism major and public relations minor. "Even having casual conversations led to genuine connections I didn't expect to find on the job." Jeong noted that working at a fan-facing station all day afforded her many personal interactions, allowing her to "read a stranger in seconds and get them talking, which is not so different from the instincts I use when pitching and interviewing sources for a story."

Vaughn, who is president of LMU's chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), had the opportunity to hear from and speak to Artis Twyman, Los Angeles Rams vice president of Communications. "I enjoyed his advice and learning how he got to where he is today in his career," said Vaughn. "But I also networked and will have the opportunity to host him and/or someone from Rams Communications at LMU and to speak with the members of PRSSA."

Jeong noted the connections with fans. "One significant moment happened while I was working at the waivers station in the Fan Zone," she said. "I struck up a conversation with a fan, and I learned she was an LMU alumna and a journalism major, too. We went back and forth, talking about the journalism publications on campus, our shared experiences, and what I hope to do with my degree after graduation."

Briones also emphasized the interactions with fans. "Anytime a fan says they had a great time and they're so excited about coming back are exchanges that stand out to me," Briones said. "They always have a smile of their face and are going home having a positive experience with us."

Chavez added: "One of my favorite parts of the experience has been interacting with fans. Seeing families and young kids so excited to attend Training Camp and meet their favorite players has been incredibly rewarding, and the smile on a child's face after their favorite player signs their jersey is something I'll never forget."

Tarami Awosile, an art history major with a public relations minor, saw her role was to make sure everything ran smoothly and that fans had a positive experience. "I valued my interactions with fans, seeing how much attending Training Camp meant to them, particularly having the opportunity to see and even meet their favorite players, was really rewarding. Also, hearing directly from members of the Rams Front Office stood out to me. As a rising senior, I found their advice really inspiring, and it made me even more excited as I look toward the future. I was reminded not to let fear hold me back and to embrace new challenges. Working at the Training Camp reinforced my desire to pursue a career in sports and to make a meaningful impact in everything I do."

For Tess Larue, a senior international relations major, the camp gave her many points of contact with fans. "If anything, it's the accumulation of small moments with the kiddos that's stuck with me most. During waiver check, we wristband the kids too, so we get to see them in their sparkly blue and yellow dresses and little jerseys that go past their knees. What stands out is how excited they get over the smallest things … It really makes you see things from their perspective and appreciate the small stuff. Being even a small part of these kids' introduction to the Los Angeles Rams community has been genuinely rewarding."

LaRue connected her Training Camp experience to her academic studies. "I initially applied for this internship out of admiration for the Rams' core values and their community engagement initiatives. Being an international relations major with a background in communication, the Los Angeles Rams' mission statement 'We Then Me' resonates with me both personally and academically, as I see myself pursuing advocacy and community affairs roles."

The first-of-its Rams + LMU relationship has also enhanced the university's visibility locally, nationally, and globally, with the LMU brand shining bright during a Rams home game each season on LMU Day at the Rams. Now, this purposeful revenue will fuel student-centered investments across the university, including the replacement of Drollinger Field in partnership with Campus Recreation, which serves more than 620 club and intramural athletes annually. Other academic initiatives focused on student success will be announced in the coming months.

Additionally, the Rams will mark LMU Day at the Rams on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, in a game against the Los Angeles Chargers, bringing together students, alumni, families, friends, and fans.