Aaron Wargo Suits up for the Kansas City Chiefs

09/26/2012 5:08 PM

By Crystal Vining ’13

Going straight to the big leagues, senior Department of Communication sports communication major Aaron Wargo suited up with an internship for the Kansas City Chiefs football team in St. Joseph, Mo., during preseason training during the summer.

Wargo was one of 25 interns selected by the team to perform various tasks from working at the entry gate to the VIP tent. One of the most fascinating jobs given to date to Wargo was driving the family cart.

“With this we would drive player’s families to and from the family tent in a golf cart,” Wargo said. “We were able to talk with them and get to know them, which was pretty interesting.”

Wargo was also in charge of members of the VIP kids club or the Helmet Walk Program, which selected between five and 10 children to carry a player’s helmet to the locker room after practice was done.

“The children would walk with that player, talk to them and ask any questions they wanted. Usually, the player would give them an autograph afterwards,” Wargo said.

The experience of the internship did bring along many opportunities to meet important people in the industry. Wargo learned how many of the league leaders first started in the industry and succeed by making the best of each opportunity presented.

“We got to talk with Scott Pioli, the general manager of the Chiefs. He was one of the nicest people I’ve ever met, and is very humble.” Wargo said. “We also talked to BJ Stabler, who works in player development. This is essentially helping a player adjust to living in a new city and, in some cases, teaching the younger players how to be more financially responsible.”

Before returning home, the interns were given the opportunity to tour the team’s home field of Arrowhead Stadium and attend the first preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals. Wargo also had the chance to visit the Livestrong Sporting Park in Kansas City, a stadium that’s home to the American soccer team Sporting Kansas City.

“Before the game, we were able to go down on the sidelines, while the players were warming up,” Wargo said of Arrowhead Stadium. “The Chiefs won the game, 27-17.”

Wargo was able to watch part of the game in a suit box while also experiencing traditional game seats with the fans. Overall, he benefited greatly from his time with the Kansas City Chiefs.

“I really enjoyed the internship. It was a great experience and I would recommend it to any Sports Communication major. I met some great people, and I had a lot of fun in the process,” he said.