Sept. 29, 2006

CLEVELAND - The Cleveland State Athletic Department has announced its intern class for 2006-07. Now in its third year, the program allows young professionals to assist in the day-to-day operations of various offices within in the department.

Joining the department are Judi Aschenbrener, Mike Dengler, Mike Grogan, Alana McClanahan, Eric McLellan, Josh Rattray, Sarah Royan, Montelle Sanders, Vicki Tobe and Ken Wilkins.

"I think this is an outstanding group of individuals that we have brought in this year," CSU Director of Athletics Lee Reed said. "With the addition of spots in compliance and equipment, the vital role our interns play within the athletic department continues to grow each year.

"The internship program is important not only to the success of our department, but because it gives these young individuals hands-on, real-world experience in their chosen field."

Aschenbrener will serve as the compliance intern, aiding in the department's efforts to follow NCAA guidelines. A 2004 graduate of Dayton with a bachelor's degree in general studies, she was also a four-year letterwinner on the Flyers women's soccer team.

McClanahan will focus her efforts on CSU's external affairs office, with additional responsibilities in the areas of Varsity "C" Club and alumni activities and Viking Club fundraising. A 2006 graduate of Duquesne with a bachelor's degree in sports marketing and marketing, she served as an event assistant for two years within the Duquesne Athletic Department, in addition to serving internships with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

McLellan, who graduated in 2005 with a bachelor's degree in business administration/marketing from Kent State, will work with merchandise, ticket sales and external affairs operations. He brings a strong retail sales and customer service background to the department and his background also includes serving as the host for "Kent State's Premier Sports Radio Talk Show" while in school.

Rattray joins the sports information department after graduating from Butler in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in media arts. He interned with the Indiana High School Athletic Association in the fall of 2005 and the Horizon League communications office last spring and served as the play-by-play voice for Butler women's basketball for four seasons. Rattray will work with eight sports, including baseball, cross country, men's soccer, men's and women's swimming, men's and women's tennis and wrestling.

A 2005 graduate of Marietta College with a degree in athletic training, Royan will work primarily with CSU's men's and women's swimming teams in addition to aiding in the day-to-day athletic training operations. NATABOC certified and licensed in the state of Ohio, she has completed numerous internships, including at Laurel School and the Cleveland Clinic.

Sanders will split his time among assignments in events and facilities as well as external affairs, marketing and group sales. He received his bachelor's degree in 1997 from Jackson State and went on to earn his master's in 2006 from Slippery Rock. Sanders' previous experience includes a two-year stint with the Slippery Rock Athletic Department as well as internships with the Buffalo Bills and the Indianapolis Colts.

Tobe will serve as the marketing and promotions intern this year, in addition to continuing the department's cooperative partnership with Viking Hall and the newly-opened Fenn Tower. A 2006 graduate of Dayton with a bachelor's degree in marketing, she was a student worker in the Flyers Athletic Department for three years in addition to serving as the president of the school's student spirit group as a senior.

Dengler, Grogan and Wilkins all work in the ticket office as sales associates. Grogan attended John Carroll, graduating in 2005 with a bachelor's degree in business management, while Wilkins graduated from North Carolina State in 2004 with a bachelor's degree in business management. Dengler is slated to graduate from from Bowling Green in December with a degree in marketing.