Sports Challenge: Event & Partnerships Intern

March – June 2026
Hybrid | Wilmington, DE + On-Site Program Support
College or Graduate Credit Eligible

About Strive

Strive is an educational non-profit dedicated to building character-driven leadership skills in young people, middle school through college age, and providing educators with culture-building tools and strategies. With a focus on reaching youth from underserved communities, Strive designs and delivers dynamic, interactive leadership and culture building programs using its research-based curriculum. Strive believes, and research proves, that the social-emotional skills of self-awareness, empathy, self-efficacy, gratitude, grit, and teamwork are critical to life-long success. It is Strive’s mission to build these skills in the next generation of leaders.

About Sports Challenge

Sports Challenge develops character-driven leaders on and off the field, applying the rigor of sports training to the practice of leadership. We consciously bring together over 50 rising 7th, 8th and 9th grade student-athletes from all types of schools and backgrounds from the northern Delaware region to play soccer (boys and girls) or basketball (boys and girls) at a competitive level.

This highly demanding, yet nurturing, program offers a unique 1:5 coach-athlete ratio and an individual coach-mentor for each athlete. Sports Challenge takes place over five days on the idyllic Sanford School campus, where student-athletes learn and work together, immersed in a growth-mindset culture.

The Opportunity

Strive is seeking an Event & Partnerships Intern to help bring Sports Challenge 2026 to life.

This role involves event operations, partnership management, student engagement, and sponsorship development. You will gain hands-on experience planning and executing a high-impact youth sports leadership program while working directly with schools, families, and community partners.

This internship is ideal for a Sport Management or Sport Business major eager to build real-world experience in event planning, registration systems, sponsorship outreach, and stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

Event Planning & Program Operations

• Support the planning and execution of Sports Challenge (June 2026)
• Coordinate registration logistics and program preparation
• Prepare materials, equipment, and technology for training sessions and program week
• Manage inventory of jerseys, gear, classroom supplies, and event materials
• Assist with on-site logistics including registration, food coordination, attendance tracking, and daily operations
• Support Visitors’ Day planning and stakeholder engagement
• Participate fully in staff training and program preparation

School Partnerships & Student Registration

• Communicate consistently with student-athletes, families, coaches, and athletic directors
• Manage registration tracking and required paperwork completion
• Monitor medical forms, waivers, and tuition collection
• Maintain accurate participant records and follow up proactively to ensure completion
• Strengthen relationships with partner schools through professional, timely communication

Promotion & Sponsorship Development

• Support outreach to schools and community partners to grow program participation
• Assist with email campaigns, calls, and promotional coordination
• Help identify and secure event sponsors and in-kind donations
• Track sponsor commitments and assist with recognition and fulfillment
• Support post-event sponsor communication and impact follow-up

Qualifications

• A current undergraduate or graduate student (Sport Management, Sport Business, Marketing, Communications, or related field preferred)
• Eligible to receive college or graduate internship credit
• Highly organized and detail-oriented
• Comfortable communicating via email and phone
• Energized by fast-paced event environments
• Passionate about athletics as a vehicle for leadership development
• A proactive self-starter who takes ownership of your work
• A team player who believes leadership skills can be taught

At Strive, we look for individuals who work hard, stay humble, and bring positive energy to every room.

Time Commitment

• March – May: 10–15 hours per week (flexible around academic schedule)
• June: 
  • June 1 – June 6, 9 pm – 5 pm
  • June 7 – June 12, 7:30 am – 5:30 pm
  • June 13 – 19, 20 hours/schedule TBD

College or graduate credit eligible.

Additional Information

• Background check required prior to program launch
• Reliable transportation required for in-person work

How to Apply

Submit your resume and a brief cover letter to: andrea@striveleadership.org

Applications reviewed on a rolling basis.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Strive is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage individuals to apply regardless of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, pregnancy status, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, and/or any other characteristics unrelated to merit.

How we define Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Strive 

Diversity: Who’s present? Who is not? 

The understanding that each individual is different; the recognition of our differences as it relates to the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies.

Equity: Does everyone have access to resources that meet their needs?

The presence of structural factors that benefit all individuals, groups, and communities; an intentional effort to transform the status quo by providing opportunity and resources for those who have historically not had access.

Inclusion: Does everyone feel included? 

A state of belonging and connection; the act of including and supporting people who have historically been marginalized or excluded.

How You Lead Matters

Strive’s purpose is to spread the power of character-driven leadership. We know that effective and successful leaders are self-aware and bring their full identities and values to any situation. Through social emotional learning and character-driven leadership, we believe that anyone can lead, and that when everyone brings their differences and individuality to the table, we are all more motivated, innovative, and collaborative.

Strive is committed to ensuring that individuals from all backgrounds have the opportunity to become character-driven leaders through our intentionally designed social-emotional learning curricula and programs. 

We are committed to creating and maintaining a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment. 

We know that modeling and leading by example is an integral part of leadership, and we therefore strive to always put our core values into action.