Posted: 7/10/02

Summer with the Saints

Branden Peterson
Sports Intern

In the 10-year history of the St. Paul Saints, it is doubtful theyíve had anyone around the clubhouse quite like Danielle Cole.

Alongside 75 applicants for five internship positions for the summer, the 1999 Forest Lake graduate landed one of the coveted summer positions, and is happily stuck in the middle of the wacky and spontaneous atmosphere at Midway Stadium.

From bringing baseball fans to the field for the esteemed ìpublic humiliationî to dressing up in puffed plastic sumo suits for duels with other Saints lovers, Cole has fallen for her four month escapade.

With days beginning at 9 a.m., and sometimes not ending until evening games conclude, Cole doesnít mind the long hours with the experience sheís gaining.

ìI knew coming into this would make me kind of sacrifice my summer,î Cole admitted. ìI have no regrets though. Iím really fortunate, and Iím loving this.î

Originally she wasnít so sure how much she would like her job.

First of all, the internship doesnít fall directly in line with her major of sports medicine. Second, she was a lonely female headed into male dominated organization.

ìI thought about how I would be one of very few girls, and after I just I went out of my way to show them I wasnít afraid to all that the guys could do. The guys (players, coaches, other co-workers) are overly nice, they realize I want to be here.î

Duties of the job are far, wide, and split up between Cole and the four other interns. Any day can include calling advertisers, selling tickets, taking tickets at entrances before games, participating in mid-inning games with crowd promotions, and tarp covering the field on a rain delay.

Indeed, the Saints keep Danielle busy.

ìIím only a month into this, and Iíve met so many people. This job is so much more than just about baseball.î

Last Saturdayís game vs. the Duluth Dukes was named ìGilliganísî Island Night. Fans filled Midway Stadium to watch the game, but also to be entertained by the antics created by Cole and her fellow interns.

Costumed as ìMary Annî in a red-and-white striped top, white jean shorts, a thatched hat, and putting her brunette hair in pony-tails, Cole expressed how the evening game was a perfect example of her time with the Saintsí organization.

Running through the stadium halls, aisles, and stairs with a grin and a laugh, Cole brings smiles to kids and adults at every home game.

Half completed with her senior year at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Cole plans to return to school in the fall and work with the medical staff on the collegeís sports teams throughout the year while finishing up her major.

The internship with the Saints however has sparked an interest in promotions, athletic training, and front office work. She would love to return full-time to the Saints, as many former interns have also done.

ìIíll be sad when the season ends and I have to go back to school. I hope we make the playoffs,î she said with fingers crossed.

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