For many college students, an internship offers a glimpse into a future career. For PennWest Clarion student James O’Dell, it has meant helping keep one of the busiest schedules in baseball running smoothly.

O’Dell is spending his second consecutive summer in the Northwoods League, serving as clubhouse manager for the Duluth Huskies in Duluth, Minnesota. Last summer, at just 19 years old, he held the same role with the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.

Working behind the scenes, O’Dell helps support some of the top collegiate baseball players in the United States and Canada while gaining firsthand experience in one of the country's premier summer baseball leagues.

“I handle uniforms, umpires, player housing, inventory and all equipment-related tasks for the Duluth Huskies,” he said.

His work begins well before the first pitch. He helps with preseason tasks such as contacting players, coordinating housing and organizing equipment. During the season, he oversees clubhouse operations, manages laundry, schedules bat boys and bat girls, serves as the primary housing contact and ensures players have what they need.

The pace is relentless.

“To become a clubhouse manager or an equipment manager at the professional level, you need real hands-on experience that carries pressure and high expectations,” O’Dell said. “The Northwoods League is great at providing that. I've essentially gotten to simulate a minor league baseball season twice before turning 21 years old. By the end of the season, the Duluth Huskies will have completed at least 70 games in 76 days. Having done that twice before even turning 21 will really help me in the future.”

A first-generation college student from Rouseville, Pennsylvania, O’Dell arrived at PennWest Clarion determined to make the most of every opportunity.

“I knew coming out of high school that to get to where I wanted to be, I had to become a leader,” he said.

That mindset has guided his college experience. A sport management studies major with minors in communication and honors interdisciplinary studies, he is a member of the PennWest Honors Program, a peer mentor, head manager for the men’s basketball team and a team leader in the PennWest Leadership Academy.

“That chip on my shoulder came from being a first-generation student,” he said. “I feel a strong sense of urgency to make something of that.”

PennWest Clarion has provided opportunities to develop those leadership skills in meaningful ways. Through his work with Clarion Athletics, O’Dell has learned to lead in high-pressure environments while building relationships that extend beyond campus.

“Here at PennWest Clarion, I'm learning how to lead groups of people, I'm learning how to lead under stress, I'm learning how to make plans and execute them,” he said.

His classroom experience has also taken on new meaning through his internships.

“Both of my internships have reinforced coursework in a way that I did not expect,” he said. “Although not a lot of content deals with my specialty specifically, I get to see a lot of the coursework that I've completed in action. Working at stadiums and ballparks gives me a chance to see all of the business side of sports while also giving me the chance to improve my abilities in managing athletic equipment.”

O’Dell credits PennWest faculty with encouraging him to pursue opportunities that once seemed out of reach.

“I was inspired to apply for internships in the Northwoods League by the faculty and staff at PennWest Clarion,” he said. "I vividly remember Mr. Dave Katis, Dr. Doug Knepp and Dr. Shintrika Hudson not only encouraging me to apply but also helping me throughout the whole interview process.”

He also recognizes the support he has received from TRIO Student Support Services, Upward Bound and Clarion Athletics throughout his journey.

After graduation, O’Dell hopes to become an equipment manager for a professional sports organization, a career built on organization, communication and leadership under pressure. Thanks to two summers in one of collegiate baseball's most demanding leagues, he is building that foundation.

“I'm really fortunate to work with extremely motivated people every day,” O’Dell said. “It is really hard to find the passion people have in sports in other industries.”

For O’Dell, that passion has become the foundation of a career already well underway.

Pictured: PennWest Clarion student James O'Dell (far right), clubhouse manager for the Duluth Huskies, poses with (from left) Assistant Coach Jake Pashby, Head Coach Marcus Pointer, Huskies athlete Jalen Smith and Assistant Coach Jake Lewis at the Field of Dreams movie site in Dyersville, Iowa, during the Northwoods League All-Star Game.