LOS ANGELES- Have you ever heard of the story with the lion and the ram?
Probably not, but the story started getting written when LMU and the Los Angeles Rams announced their partnership in 2023. This ongoing partnership gives students a new perspective into what it looks like to work for a professional sports team and gain real-world experiences through opportunities tailored for students.
“The partnership developed organically into what it is today, centered on student mentorship, experiential learning and deeper integration between the classroom and the industry,” Marianna Villa, vice president for external relations and partnerships at LMU, said.
The integration Villa talks about is through the Rams staff and the unique opportunities students have, such as being a Training Camp Intern and being a part of the Rams Mentorship to name a couple of experiences many students have participated in.
“From day one, both LMU and the Rams were committed to hitting the ground running, quickly introducing a wide range of touchpoints,” Villa said.
LMU became the training camp site for the Rams in 2024, during its first summer after the official announcement in 2023. LMU students also got the opportunity to work in a familiar place as training camp interns along with students from other universities. It’s an enjoyable two to three weeks of being in the warm LA sun, interacting with fans who are looking forward to the upcoming season.
Frank Captanis ‘26, a senior business management major, first joined the Rams in 2024 as a training camp intern. Not only were the Rams new to LMU, so was Captanis as he entered the Fall 2024 semester as a transfer student. Being a training camp intern was his opportunity to learn about his new home, and peers too.
“Getting to listen to people that work in all different fields but working towards one commune goal of improving the Rams organization was very inspiring and motivated me to not only work in sports, but work with a team that cares so much about their work and the people they work for/with,” Captanis said, reminiscing about hearing the journeys of Rams full-time staff before the camp site opened to fans each day.
Captanis continued his journey with the Rams by taking part in their exclusive mentorship program. He was mentored by Nick Gerst, former senior manager of partnership sales, which aligned with Captanis’ career goal of working in sports business. “I was able to hone in on what I want do and the last year and a half, I’ve been able to work toward that exact goal,” Captanis added.
For five months during the NFL season, mentors and mentees have one-on-one meetings that are structured to give guidance for the various career paths within professional sports. Toward the end of the mentorship program, mentees attend LMU Day at the Rams, shadowing their mentors and observing their game-day tasks.
Although the mentorship is predominantly for juniors and seniors, Isabella Young ‘28, a sophomore marketing and management & leadership double major, was a mentee during the 2025-2026 season.
Young was mentored by Sasha Carter, current human resources generalist for the Rams. Their paths crossed when the Rams visited campus for a career fair last school year and Young, who was a freshman then, handed Carter her high school resume. A year later, they were partnered up as mentor and mentee, forming a work bond that has been special for Young.
She recalled going to Sofi Stadium to shadow Carter for the Rams games against the Seahawks on Nov. 16, especially since it was her first time attending an NFL game. Carter gave Young insight on her game-day tasks and allowed her to help out during one of the tasks.
“I was on the field, and I was helping her do one of her gameday tasks. I was holding the rope for all of the season ticket fans…I was right near the goal post, and I was an arm’s length away from Matthew Stafford,” Young said.
Students can find out more about being a training camp intern on Handshake, and applications are live, with more information about the Rams Mentorship coming later this summer.
“This isn’t a one-time experience, but extended opportunities that help students build skills, confidence and clarity, leaving these experiences with stronger professional networks and a clearer sense of their future,” Villa said.
