Tennessee State University (TSU) senior Noah Pennington is making strides towards a career in sports management with an internship that has him working up close with the NFL's Tennessee Titans, an opportunity that has been made possible thanks to a unique partnership between his alma mater and the professional team. According to a recent article by TSU Newsroom, the Indianapolis native completed a four-week paid internship in December, gaining experience in leadership and the nuances of managing a sports organization.
Pennington's tenure with the Titans highlighted the importance of direct exposure to industry experts, learning from their management styles, and participating in strategic meetings about the development of a new stadium. In a statement obtained by TSU Newsroom, Pennington noted this experience was "transformative," adding that it "solidified my career aspirations in sports management and operations." The internship serves as a crucial stepping stone, building upon Pennington’s earlier engagement in a Maymester course designed to connect sports management students with various Titans' departments, these experiences combined to pave the way for his successful application and eventual job offer which lines him up for a future in the sports industry upon his graduation in May.
Long-standing ties between TSU and the Tennessee Titans have facilitated numerous opportunities for students and the broader community, notably with the TSU Tigers football team hosting home games at Nissan Stadium and initiatives like the Titans’ ONE Community platform targeting underserved areas in Nashville. Johari Matthews, a TSU alum and Vice President of the ONE Community and Titans Foundation mentioned, "The partnership that we have with TSU has been instrumental in our approach to better serving students by introducing them to careers in the sports industry," and heralded Pennington as a prime example of how beneficial these relationships can be.
Leadership at TSU is vocal about the significance of real-world learning experiences that complement academic studies; Dr. Robbie Melton, TSU’s Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, expressed pride in this integrative approach by highlighting Noah’s journey as a testament to their successful collaborative efforts, Dr. Lolita D. Toney, TSU’s Assistant Vice President of Institutional Advancement, also praised the mentorship and professional development opportunities that aid students like Pennington who stands at the cusp of his career, the department chair of HPSS, Dr. Jason Smith, views Pennington as an embodiment of the program's goal to merge classroom learning with practical application, he cites Noah's "initiative, creativity, and strong work ethic" as distinguishing factors during his internship.
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