Raider Advantage

Overview
Raider Advantage is a non-credit micro internship that provides freshman and/or sophomore Rivier students opportunities to gain experience with NCAA teams, sports information, sports medicine or the athletic department. Students will be required to work 30-40 hours and receive a certificate of completion at the conclusion of their Raider Advantage.

Length
The Raider Advantage will take place during the season the student is involved in or semester of choice for winter sports or in other areas of the department. Exception: Students can be involved for first semester winter sports or second semester winter sports.

Eligibility

Rivier University students with Freshman or Sophomore academic standing
Good academic and disciplinary standing
Available to work assigned home athletic events, including evenings and weekends

Format
Experiential / Applied Learning
On-site participation within Rivier University Athletics

Description
This experiential learning opportunity provides Rivier University students with hands-on involvement in game day operations and management within a NCAA Division III athletic department competing in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) and Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC). Students will be assigned to a specific Rivier varsity sport or an area within the department and will assist with the execution of home athletic contests or athletic departments tasks.
Emphasizing the Division III philosophy of integrating athletics into the educational experience, this experience allows students to develop professional skills while supporting the Rivier Raiders’ commitment to sportsmanship, service, and student-centered athletics. The experience prepares students for future internships and career opportunities in athletic administration and sport-related fields.
Students will receive a certificate of completion at the conclusion of their Raider Advantage.

Objectives / Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the certificate program, students will be able to:

Identify core components of game day operations within a Division III athletic department or athletic department operational responsibilities.
Demonstrate professionalism, teamwork, and effective communication in a collegiate athletics environment.
Assist with event logistics while adhering to NCAA, GNAC, MASCAC, and Rivier University policies.
Reflect on experiential learning to connect operational observations with career and internship preparation.
Articulate how Division III athletics supports the holistic development of student-athletes.

Structure
Sport Assignment

Students will be assigned to a Rivier University varsity sport for the semester or an area within the department.
Assignments are determined by Athletic Department needs and event schedules, with student interest considered when possible.
Students will work under the supervision of Rivier Athletics administrators, coaches, and game management staff for home games only.

Home Games Only (Estimated amount of home games)

Semester 1
MSOCC (10 games)
WSOCC (9 games)
FH (10 games)
WVB (10 games)
MBB (7 games)
WBB (3 games)
WIH (6 games)
MIH (6 games)

Semester 2
MBB (4 games)
WBB (4 games)
WIH (6 games)
MIH (4 games)
MVB (3, NC TBD)
WLAX (6, NC TBD)
MLAX (7, NC TBD)
SB (10, NC TBD)
BSB (10, NC TBD)

Time Commitment

Students must attend all assigned home competitions and pre- or post-event duties related to their sport.
Weekly time commitment varies depending on the sport’s competition schedule and other assigned tasks. Total hours for the Rivier Experience is 30-40 hours for the semester.
Evening and weekend availability is required.

Learning Activities
Students may participate in or observe the following areas of Rivier Athletics game day operations:

Facility setup and breakdown (court/field preparation, signage, equipment, etc.)
Event staffing and coordination
Game management and press box operations
Marketing, promotions, and community engagement
NCAA, GNAC and MASCAC policy adherence
Post-event evaluation and reporting

Specific responsibilities will vary by sport and event or area.

Assignments & Assessment
Professional Participation
Students are evaluated on:

Attendance and punctuality
Professional conduct and communication
Engagement, effort, and willingness to learn

Hours Per Game Per Sport

MSOCC, WSOCC, FH, WVB, MVB, MBB, WBB, MLAX, WLAX, BSB, SB: 3 hours
WIH, MIH: 4 hours

Note: Additional hours may be required depending on the total hours required for the experience.

Completion
Students successfully completing the requirements of a Raider Advantage will receive a certificate of completion.
To receive Certificate of Completion, students must:

Successfully complete all assigned game day responsibilities or responsibilities within in the department
Demonstrate professional behavior and satisfactory performance
Meet attendance and participation expectations
Prepare a reflection paper describing their experience

A certificate of completion will not be awarded if a student fails to meet the above standards.

Internship & Career Preparation
The Raider Advantage serves as a pre-internship experiential opportunity within Rivier University Athletics. Students will gain:

Practical exposure to NCAA Division III athletic operations
Foundational experience for potential future internships within Rivier Athletics or sport-related organizations
Professional skill development aligned with careers in sport management, athletic administration, and event operations

Repeatability
The certificate program may be repeated pending Academic Approval and Athletic Department approval

Oversight & Administration
The Raider Advantage will be administered by Rivier University Athletics, with oversight by a staff coordinator in the Career Services department. The coordinator will assist with student placement, supervision, and assessment in collaboration with sport administrators and coaches.

For more information please contact the Athletic Department at athletics@rivier.edu or Kyle Flanagan, Affliated Faculty (Sport Management) at kflanagan1@rivier.edu