JOPLIN, Mo. – Missouri Southern track & field student-athlete Claire Cole is no stranger to juggling multiple responsibilities. As a multis heptathlon competitor, she balances seven events on meet day. This summer, she's applying that same versatility off the track serving an internship with the Joplin Jailbirds baseball team, where no two game days are alike.
 
Currently pursuing her Master's in Business Administration with a focus on Management, Cole took on this role with the Jailbirds to gain hands-on experience in sports marketing and to explore potential career paths within the industry.
 
Her typical day at the ballpark is both dynamic and interactive, involving various responsibilities such as ticketing, running the scoreboard or music on game days, and coordinating promotional activities. Her duties include creating and posting engaging content for social media including TikTok and Instagram, as well as orchestrating fan-participation activities like the popular ketchup and mustard race and musical chairs.
 
Reflecting on the skills she has transferred from her athletic career at Southern, Cole noted, "Because I competed the multis in track, there were several events that I had to learn, which was challenging. Plus, there is always room for improvement in every event, and even your best attempts are never 'perfect.' I've learned while working for the Jailbirds that game day operations are the same way, and that not everything can be perfect, but the show must still go on."
 
One of the more unique experiences Cole encountered was stepping into the role of the Joplin Jailbird mascot for a game, an opportunity that required her to step outside her comfort zone.
 
Additionally, she has gained insight into the extensive communication required during games, noting that nearly everyone involved on game day carries a walkie-talkie to ensure seamless operation and coordination.
 
Cole's interaction with fans has also been a highlight of her internship. She recalled a memorable experience where she was selected to be pied in the face by the fan of the game, a light-hearted game day tradition at Jailbirds games. "We had two young girls for our fans of the game, and they did not disappoint," Cole shared of the experience.
 
This internship with the Jailbirds has had a significant impact on Cole's career aspirations, providing her with a fresh perspective on her future in athletics and sports marketing. The Highland, Kansas, native, graduated from Missouri Southern with her bachelor's in marketing in December 2025.
 
"This internship has definitely changed my perspective on what a career might look like for me after I finish my Master's," Cole said. "I've always talked about wanting to stay in athletics, and sports marketing is a way for me to combine my athletic knowledge and experience with my degree."