When she first entered York College of Pennsylvania in the middle of a pandemic, Charlie Dangler had no idea what she wanted to major in. Like many students, she registered for general education classes and picked up some electives that sounded interesting. After she took an introduction to sports class and completed a practicum that immersed her in real athletic event work, she realized she wanted to pursue a career in sports.
Through York’s Sports Business Association, she volunteered at professional games for the Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles, building real-world experience long before graduation.
However, the defining moment of her college career came just before her junior year when she was selected to work Super Bowl 57 in Arizona.
“We learned so much about the sports industry that week,” Dangler shared. “It was an unforgettable week that I will never forget in my sports career.”
Her final years of college were filled with more experience. Dangler worked at events for Savannah Bananas, an exhibition baseball team that travels the country, signed up for career fairs, volunteered locally, and completed her required 500-hour internship to graduate.
“ I try to do as much as I can to learn other areas of sports from professionals in the sports industry to gain knowledge and experience,” she shared.
Today, Dangler splits her time between Special Olympics New Jersey, where she works in the marketing and communications department, and the New York Jets, where she supports events and gameday operations.
Still, her journey hasn’t been without difficulty. As a woman in sports, she has faced gender bias and the pressures of working in a male-dominated industry. To overcome these difficulties, Dangler makes an effort to connect with other women in sports and build relationships with them, connecting through mentorship groups and LinkedIn. She also interned with Sports Girls Club, an online community for female sports fans.
“You are never alone in the industry,” she said. “[I’ve] built so many friendships with other girls in the sports industry that I now call some of my best friends.”
For women looking to break into the industry, Dangler recommends gaining as much experience as possible, networking, and getting involved in your area.
“Don’t be afraid to take opportunities in different departments or new places,” she shared, “you may end up liking them.”
