COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USA Hockey announced today that Sydney Blackman (Phoenix, Ariz.) has been named the 19th recipient of the Brian Fishman Internship. Blackman’s experience will include 12 months in the communications division at USA Hockey’s national office in Colorado Springs, Colorado, beginning in late June, with the second 12 months of the internship spent in the communications department at USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program in Plymouth, Michigan.
The Brian Fishman Internship is awarded annually to an outstanding college graduate pursuing a career in athletic communications. It was established in 1999 in honor of the late Brian Fishman, who served as the manager of communications and marketing for USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program. He died unexpectedly on Jan. 7, 1999, at the age of 28.
“I am beyond honored and grateful to be selected as the 19th Brian Fishman Intern,” Blackman said. “I sincerely thank the Fishman family and USA Hockey for the privilege of carrying on Brian's legacy and dedication to the game. I am very passionate about hockey and cannot wait to grow as a professional with the same integrity and determination Brian so clearly possessed.”
Blackman’s responsibilities will include assisting with various communication projects, event promotions and publishing initiatives, including USA Hockey Magazine.
Blackman, who will graduate from Arizona State University in May, currently works for the Arizona Coyotes as a social media and marketing intern. Some of her duties include creating content for the team's social media accounts, measuring the effectiveness of campaigns, and developing unique social media and marketing strategies.
The Arizona native previously spent two seasons working as a media relations intern for the Arizona Coyotes, where she gained experience writing in-game reports, recording and transcribing audio, and maintaining working relationships with local and visiting media.
In addition, Sydney has served as a Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox marketing and promotions intern for two spring training seasons. She also has been the social media manager for the Arizona Amateur Hockey Association, helping encourage and improve the standard of ice hockey in Arizona.
NOTES: Blackman will become the 19th Brian Fishman Intern. Pat Durant (Norfolk, N.Y./Ohio University) will begin his second year of the internship at USA Hockey's National Team Development Program in Plymouth, Michigan, beginning in July ... Previous Brian Fishman Interns include (most recent listed first): Alyssa Girardi (Dearborn, Mich./Michigan State University), Jasmine Grotto (Alpena, Mich./Wayne State University), Zack Friedli (Rochester, Minn./University of Minnesota Duluth), Brian Smith (Woburn, Mass./Boston College), Alex DiFilippo (East Tawas, Mich./Michigan State University), Caryn Switaj (Farmington Hills, Mich./Boston College), Matt Caracappa (Randolph, N.J./Penn State University), Carly Peters (Bloomington, Minn./Syracuse University), Chris Peters (Chicago, Ill./Iowa State University), Craig Stancher (Calumet, Mich./Michigan Tech University), Alex Clark (Glenview, Ill./Colgate University), Christy Jeffries (White Lake, Mich./Boston University), Caitlin Lazaro (Effingham, N.H./University of New Hampshire), Seth Cole (Blue Hill, Maine/St. Michael's College), Yariv Amir (Plainsboro, N.J./Colgate University), Cassy Maxton (Vandalia, Ohio/Miami University) and Jennifer Dame (St. Louis Park, Minn./St. Cloud State University).
Year | Intern | University Attended |
---|---|---|
2016-18 | Pat Durant* | Ohio University |
2015-17 | Alyssa Girardi** | Michigan State University |
2014-16 | Jasmine Grotto | Wayne State University |
2013-15 | Zack Friedli | University of Minnesota Duluth |
2012-14 | Brian Smith | Boston College |
2011-12 | Alex DiFilippo | Michigan State University |
2010-11 | Caryn Switaj | Boston College |
2009-10 | Matt Caracappa | Penn State University |
2008-09 | Carly Peters | Syracuse University |
2007-08 | Chris Peters | Iowa State University |
2006-07 | Craig Stancher | Michigan Tech University |
2005-06 | Alex Clark | Colgate University |
2004-05 | Christy Jeffries | Boston University |
2003-04 | Caitlin Lazaro | University of New Hampshire |
2002-03 | Seth Cole | St. Michael's (Vt.) College |
2001-02 | Yariv Amir | Colgate University |
2000-01 | Cassy Maxton | Miami (Ohio) University |
1999-00 | Jennifer Dame | St. Cloud State University |
* Current Intern (USA Hockey National Office)
** Current Intern (USA Hockey's National Team Development Program)
The Brian Fishman Internship is named in honor of the late Brian Fishman, who served as Manager of Communications and Marketing for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program during the 1998-99 season. Brian passed away unexpectedly on Jan. 7, 1999, at age 28.