Built for the Big Leagues

Paige Yingst didn’t just stumble into sport management — she found it in the quiet, high-pressure rhythm of the game itself.

Long before she was managing club trips, working athletic events, or coordinating major championship experiences, she was a high school student keeping scorebooks, tracking stats, and finding meaning in the details others might overlook.

For Yingst, that behind-the-scenes role was more than a job. It was the first time sports truly felt like home.

“I loved doing the scorebook,” Yingst said. “Tracking stats, keeping everything accurate, and feeling like I played an important role in the game — that was what I liked. It made me feel like part of the team, but also a step above, almost like a coach.”

That sense of purpose became the starting point for a college journey defined by involvement, leadership, and a willingness to jump in early and often.

When Yingst arrived at Lock Haven as a freshman, she already knew she wanted to major in sport management. What she didn’t yet know was just how many opportunities would open once she fully committed herself to the experience.

“I was a sport management major from the start,” Yingst said. “I always played sports growing up, and I knew I wanted to be around sports in some way.”

Her path to the major was shaped by a mix of practicality and passion. She had been on the field hockey team in high school, but the experience didn’t feel like the right fit. At the same time, she was balancing AP classes and looking for a role that gave her more control over her time and energy.

“I hated it — the coach, the teammates, the whole environment,” Yingst said. “I was taking AP classes, too, and needed more time for schoolwork, so I quit for my own sanity.”

What came next ended up changing everything. Yingst became the baseball team manager, and the role clicked immediately.

“It was calmer,” Yingst said. “I didn’t have to attend every practice — mostly just games. I loved having responsibilities and a little pressure. That’s when I realized I could do this for the rest of my life.”

She also had an unexpected source of inspiration: her stepbrother, who was exploring sports management at the same time.

“My stepbrother was going into sports management, and I didn’t even know the major existed until he chose it,” she said. “He was deciding between here and Shenandoah. He picked Shenandoah because it’s more of a city, but I loved how small and cozy this campus felt since I grew up in a small town.”

That “small and cozy” feeling became one of the reasons Lock Haven felt like the right place to build something meaningful.

From the moment she arrived on campus, Yingst made herself known. She joined the Sport Management Club right away, attended meetings consistently, and quickly earned the kind of reputation that opens doors.

“I showed up to every meeting,” Yingst said. “That’s why I got chosen for trips, even though older students didn’t always attend.”

Those trips became some of the most formative experiences of her college career. In Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Atlanta, Miami, and Indianapolis, Yingst saw the sport industry from the inside — not as a spectator, but as a contributor.

Freshman year brought her first exposure to professional settings. She traveled to Pittsburgh for a career fair and game, then later visited Cleveland for tours of the Cavaliers, Guardians, and Browns facilities. She also began volunteering in athletics after a guest speaker in class sparked her interest.

“She spoke in one of my classes, and I thought working in athletics sounded fun,” Yingst said. “I helped with ticketing, promotional tables, and event support.”

By sophomore year, her involvement was expanding. A class requirement that called for volunteer hours in athletics pushed her further into the field, where she worked in photography, production, livestream support, and camera work.

“I learned how to keep the livestream scoreboard accurate and how different sports operate behind the scenes,” Yingst said. “That was a big learning experience.”

The transition into junior year brought even more responsibility. Yingst became a paid employee in athletic communications, taking on website updates, schedules, photo galleries, livestream links, and stat links.

“I continued working with Owen, but I became a paid employee,” Yingst said. “I took on more responsibility.”

At the same time, she stayed active in the club, helped with fundraising, and traveled to one of her favorite experiences: the College Football Playoff in Atlanta.

“That trip really solidified that sports is where I want to work,” Yingst said. “Seeing how many people come together to run a major event showed me I chose the right career path.”

In Atlanta, the work was demanding, but the atmosphere was unforgettable. Yingst and her group staffed race events, helped direct fans at Fan Central, and worked around the edge of one of the biggest weekends in sports.

“College GameDay was right in front of us,” she said. “Even though we weren’t inside the main events, being part of the atmosphere was incredible.”

By senior year, Yingst had become president of the Sport Management Club — a role that required leadership, communication, and plenty of fundraising. It also gave her the opportunity to guide younger students in the same way older students had once guided her.

“It’s been a lot of fun,” Yingst said. “Working with younger students, choosing who goes on trips, and managing a strong group of 15 or so consistently involved members.”

She takes that responsibility seriously. Because the club’s travel spots are limited, she prioritizes students who participate regularly, contribute to fundraising, and show genuine commitment.

“I prioritize students who show up, fundraise, and participate,” Yingst said. “Seniority also matters. If it’s someone’s last chance to go, I try to include them.”

Some of those trips are expensive, but Yingst has helped make them more accessible. Through club fundraising, she helped reduce the cost of a Final Four trip from about $600 per student to $200.

“That was a big one,” Yingst said. “We’ve had to work hard, but it’s worth it.”

Her favorite fundraiser? Sport Trivia Night.

“Students love it,” she said. “It’s Jeopardy style, with teams of two or three, and it’s been one of our best fundraisers.”

Outside of the club, Yingst also completed a 12-week internship at the Ripken Experience in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, where she worked in baseball operations.

“I moved down there by myself for the summer and made a lot of friends,” Yingst said. “Some are even visiting me this summer.”

The internship gave her a fast-paced education in operations, communication, and adaptability. On any given day, she might handle scoreboards, announcements, music, coach and umpire communication, parking, or even transportation between fields.

“I was responsible for everything happening on my field,” Yingst said. “If something wasn’t ready for the next game, that was on me.”

The long days and weather delays tested her stamina, but they also deepened her appreciation for the work.

“I learned a lot about multitasking, accuracy, and adaptability,” Yingst said. “That experience reinforced that I want to work in sports — especially in roles where I help people enjoy the experience.”

That people-centered mindset may be one of her strongest qualities. Whether she is helping families at a tournament, working with student organizations, or supporting a major event, she keeps the same focus — make the experience better for others.

“I’m a people person,” Yingst said.“I loved interacting with kids, parents, and coaches. When parents would tell me I made their experience great, that meant a lot.”

That blend of service, leadership, and ambition is exactly what has defined Yingst’s college years. She came in with a clear interest in sports, but she leaves with something bigger: the confidence that she can build a future in the industry.

“I wanted to put in maximum effort,” Yingst said. “I wanted to gain as much experience as I could before graduating.” She did exactly that. And in the process, she found not just a major, but a mission.