Last Friday, Sept. 27, 2013 I attended a Washington Capitals pre-season game with eight of my classmates from Dr. Woo’s Sports PR class. We got the opportunity to experience what it is like to be a sports public relations professional. We eagerly entered the stadium through the press entrance and were greeted by two very bright members of the Capitals Communications team Megan Eichenburg, Communications Coordinator and Brian Kiefer, Public Relations Assistant. We were given our media credentials upon arrival and then promptly escorted to the press level and shown to our seats.
It was a very surreal experience being in the same room as some of the top communication professionals. There were social media experts, reporters, and bloggers all around us watching the game while trying to get their stories and updates. We were instructed to not cheer on either team. I must admit that was very difficult due to the fact that I am a huge caps fan! However, I was able to keep my cool throughout the game and remain professional. The capitals ended up playing a great game with a final score of 6-3 against the Philadelphia, Flyers.
Once the first period was over we got the chance to have a Q&A with Megan Eichenburg. She was very informative and willing to answer any of our questions. She told us about exactly what she did on a day-to-day basis and how the business works. She is very involved with the community relation’s aspect and I found that to be extremely interesting. When Megan was sharing the community aspect of her work you could really tell that she was very passionate about the good the capitals can and are doing with their community. Being in Sports PR is a very time consuming profession, but with aspects such as community relations it is very rewarding in the end.
Once we returned to our seats for the second period we found a new document placed on our tables giving us up to date stats on all the players from the first period. The communications team works very hard and quick to insure all of their present press have everything they may possibly need to complete their job. It was very impressive to me by how fast that was provided and how helpful the document was. The detail and hastiness really showed how much effort the communications department puts in to guarantee their organization is represented well to the press.
At the end of the third period Brian Kiefer escorted us to the post-game press conference. He showed us the press lounge and told us how the typical press conference works. We were instructed to stand in the back of the press conference room and to not ask any questions. Once coach, Adam Oates, entered the room all of the reporters stood up and placed their phones and recorders on his podium to record the interview. The questions began immediately. There was no raise of hands, but the questions surprisingly flowed very smoothly. No one talked over anyone and everyone seemed to be very respectful of everyone else’s questions. The press asked questions about the game, specific players, and future strategies/events. Coach, Adam Oates, answered each question with ease and if he was uncomfortable with a question he instructed the individual on who they would have to ask. The press conference was over fairly quickly and that meant the end of our trip was near. As we left the stadium we thanked Mr. Kiefer and I believe we all left very happy with our experience.
Overall, the experience was honestly amazing. I am so glad I got the chance to go. The trip really showed me what a career in Sports PR would be like, and it has made me want to get into this profession even more than before. Fantastic trip!