September 29, 2026 — This school year, the Cobb County School District launched an ambitious plan to increase sports coverage, using student content creators from each high school to spotlight all the great action across our district. The Cobb Sports Creative Program is a student internship in sports media and marketing that provides real-world experience in athletics communications and digital storytelling. 

Online applications for the second semester of the program (January-May) will open on October 15. An interest meeting for those who want to learn more about the internship is scheduled for 4:30-6:30 p.m. October 1. (Click here for more details)

The first class of Cobb Sports Network (CSN) interns has been covering the fall high school football season. Students from across the district have been given the opportunity to attend and document games through photos and videos. They have created game-day graphics, score updates, and creative social content on District social media accounts (including @cobb_sports on Instagram) that promote the excitement and energy at Cobb Schools athletic events. In many cases, these students previously created content for their high schools, but by collaborating with the Cobb Sports team, their work has a much broader reach as part of a school district that is the 23rd-largest in the United States. 

“It is so exciting,” exclaimed Ali MacDonald, a senior at Lassiter High School, and one of the CSN interns. “I have been creating content for just my school for a while, but seeing my videos and graphics shared on a larger scale is so motivating. I love knowing that something I created can successfully promote Cobb County sports.”

The interns are also seeing the impact their work can have in their own communities.

“It is really exciting and rewarding to see something that I create being shared on a larger scale,” agreed Harrison High School senior Addison Williams, another CSN intern. “Knowing that something I designed or created is being seen by a much larger audience makes me feel like my work has a greater impact on my community. It is also very motivating because it makes me want to continuously improve my skills and make better content.”

CSN interns have shown their motivation to improve their skills through their eagerness to create and collaborate. The amount of talent Cobb Schools students have is unmatched. This internship program provides them with a bigger stage to showcase their talents.

To cultivate that talent, the Cobb Sports Creative Program is guided by an experienced communications team with more than 75 years of combined experience covering the country’s biggest sporting events. The professionals who lead and mentor the interns have worked for the most recognizable sports media giants, including ESPN, Turner Sports, and the SEC Network.

“Beyond the practical experience gained by doing the work,” noted Eric Rauch of the Cobb Sports Communications team, “student interns are exposed to a variety of opportunities to network and learn from some of the best in the business. Past interns have gone on to work at Sports Illustrated and HoopSeen, to name a few. Students can build an impressive portfolio while also meeting others who share their passion for sports and marketing. It can open doors that might normally be closed.”

While this internship program is still in its first few months of existence, the CSN team has already recognized the interns’ wide range of skills and the value they bring. 

“The talent of these students has been impressive,” shared Cobb's Anaston Ragsdale, who helps guide the interns in social media and digital content. “They are creating content that feels authentic to their schools. Our interns understand their schools, classmates, and sports culture at the local level. They bring creativity and a fresh perspective to the district level. They are not just helping us cover sports, they're helping shape what we want the Cobb Sports Network to become.”

Amelia Lindsay, who works with the interns on social media content, has also seen their impact firsthand.

“This internship has given students the opportunity to showcase their content skills across the entire district,” explained the experienced Cobb Schools social media communicator. “It has been incredible to see the unique perspectives they bring to our social media and the increased excitement and engagement around sports across Cobb Schools.”

The program is a win-win for both the interns and Cobb Schools. The interns gain valuable personal experience, a more impressive portfolio of their work, and instruction from leading professionals in the field. Meanwhile, CSN broadens its coverage with content from across all of our teams, which in turn promotes the exceptional talent and student successes our district provides. 

“We've seen incredible growth on the Cobb Sports Instagram account,” Ragsdale reported. “Having interns at each school has allowed us to post more consistently and tell more stories from across the county. That has been amazing, and the quality of our students' content is driving engagement. Their work is helping more people discover what's happening in Cobb Sports.”

For those interested in applying to become a CSN intern, testimonials from previous interns may be the most effective endorsements.

“This program makes me feel proud, like I'm doing something worthwhile,” declared Walton High School senior and CSN intern Indira Lakshmanan. “I was on the sidelines of the Corky Kell Classic, and I was able to interview coaches and players on the field of Mercedes-Benz Stadium. It's very helpful to get a feel of how the real world works with a safety net that helps you grow and learn.”

The internship is also an opportunity to build relationships.

“I've loved having the opportunity to go on the field to take pictures and talk to people,” CSN intern Aidan McCoy, a Lassiter senior, said. “On Day One, I met fellow photographers and journalists who have been doing this for years. The CSN team does a remarkable job at setting us up for success and coaching us along the way.”

Addison, from Harrison, had additional thoughts about what she has gained as a CSN intern.

“One of the biggest benefits I have gotten so far,” she said, “is being able to gain a more professional-level experience in sports media while still in high school. I have been able to create content, expand on my interest in photography, and get a better idea of how it feels to work in the sports media field. It has also allowed me to expand my creativity and push myself to try things that I normally would not try.”

Ali, from Lassiter, shared her views on the program’s value.

“In just a few short weeks of this internship, my portfolio and skillset have grown tremendously,” she said. “The biggest benefit has been getting real-world experience in the sports marketing and communications field. I have learned what goes on behind the scenes and what a successfully run campaign looks like. This internship has helped me grow my confidence and creativity, and I look forward to using that in the future. If you are interested in anything in the realm of sports, videography, graphic design, photography, or marketing, then this internship is definitely for you.”

To apply and learn more about the Cobb Sports Creative Program and internship, visit https://cobb-sports-intern-info-tjnjkrr.gamma.site/