51ĀŅĀ×

When 51ĀŅĀ× Senior Clay Stark, a visual communication major, walks across the platform at the Convocation Center to get his diploma this spring, he will only be a few days away from starting his ā€œdream internship.ā€ Stark will begin working for Major League Baseballā€™s Boston Red Sox on May 6.

ā€œI will be photographing pre-game and in-game activities, along with corporate sponsorship and fan engagement activities,ā€ said Stark. ā€œIā€™ve been told Iā€™ll work closely with the social media and marketing teams in a very collaborative environment.ā€

Stark grew up near Cincinnati and as a kid who loved photography in high school, he chose 51ĀŅĀ× because it combined the commercial and design elements of photography with a strong focus on photojournalism. Throughout his time in Athens, he has taken advantage of many experiential learning activities and discovered that sports photography is his passion.

ā€œDeep down I think I always wanted to produce sports photography, but I didnā€™t know that because I was so new to it,ā€ said Stark. ā€œAt 51ĀŅĀ×, I quickly learned what the industry was about. I really enjoyed the news editorial stuff, but my heart was with sports. I enjoy other aspects of photojournalism and respect them a lot, but sports photography is something I canā€™t live without.ā€

While in college, Stark worked as a photographer for 51ĀŅĀ× Athletics and the student-run publication . He also completed internships with the  in 2022, the  in 2023, and as a live content creator for  based in Cincinnati in 2024. Stark says he is truly appreciative of all the people who have helped him along the way.

ā€œClay took full advantage of the experiential learning that is built into the VISCOM courses, as well as working with the 51ĀŅĀ× Athletic Department as a photographer. He is a great example of how a student who engages in the educational process and takes advantage of the myriads of opportunities at 51ĀŅĀ× can land their dream job right out of college,ā€ said Visual Communication Professor and Graduate Director Stan Alost. ā€œClay is a very driven individual. He had his sights set on the Red Sox for some time now. Clay sought opportunities to develop his knowledge and skills so that he would be the perfect candidate for their organization.ā€

The only challenge Stark might face is that he is a Cincinnati Reds fan. But he is excited to join the Red Sox family this summer.

ā€œWhen it comes to the history of the team, the Red Sox have such a great story,ā€ said Stark. ā€œFenway Park is such a historic stadium. I know I will enjoy the culture there.ā€

Starkā€™s internship will finish at the end of the baseball season. That could be in September or if the Red Sox get into the playoffs, it could go much longer.

ā€œThe Red Sox could get there this year,ā€ said Stark with a smile. ā€œMaybe Iā€™ll get the chance to work at the World Series.ā€