On Saturday October 22, nine members of the new Thunderbirds JA program enjoyed the opening game and the excitement of the shootout win!

Then on Oct. 26, the Springfield Thunderbirds kicked off their new partnership with JA and welcomed a team of sixteen high school students from Chicopee High School, East Longmeadow High School, Pope Francis High School and Putnam Vocational Technical Academy to the new JA Company Program.  Students will meet weekly with members of the Thunderbirds Management Team to learn how to do everything thing from selling tickets to marketing; management to customer service.  The final project will be hosting the March 3, 2017 home game at the MassMutual Center.

To become part of the program, the students had to write a short essay about why they wanted to be a part of the student company.  Samantha Fernandez from Putnam wrote, “I see the Thunderbirds JA Company Program as a great way to gain experience and confidence for any internships and job opportunities in my near future.”

Brendan Clark from Pope Francis wrote with “a passion for the game in addition to the fact that I plan to pursue a career in a business-related field, I would be honored to take part in this opportunity.”
Matt McRobbie, Account Executive with the Springfield Thunderbirds, is the leader of the project.  He is enthusiastic and eager to share his knowledge and experiences in the AHL, in sales and as a recent college graduate with the students.

In addition to working with Matt, the students will work with Nathan Costa, Executive Vice President, Chris Thompson, SVP of Sales and Strategies, Todd McDonald, Director of Ticket Sales, and a host of other Thunderbird Front office members.

With students as dedicated and enthusiastic as these young people and the great staff at The Springfield Thunderbirds, this JA Company can look forward to a great learning experience and lots of fun!