As almost 200 military service members were on campus participating in the 2025 Department of Defense Warrior Games last month, four CC students and recent alumni worked the games as interns. Recent graduates Delaney Rach ’25 and Gracie Huebner ’25 served as a Volunteer Coordination Intern and a Communications Intern, respectively, while Cole Amaya ’26 worked as a Sports Results Intern and Abigail Watson ’28 as a Medal Ceremonies Intern.
“Interning at the Warrior Games, an event that celebrates resilience, recovery, and the unifying power of sports, was an incredible experience,” Amaya says. “I was particularly drawn to this internship because it aligns with my passion for high-level athletics and a mission-driven environment. I supported service members and veterans as they showcased their skills and perseverance through competition. My Mathematical Economics major, with a focus in Computer Science, gave me the analytical skills to manage and ensure accurate results, but what really made this experience meaningful were the athletes themselves.”
Amaya viewed this internship as a chance to unite his passion for sports with his academic focus on data analysis. Throughout the academic year, he studies and researches math and computer science, working to bridge these disciplines with practical uses in economics and financial modeling. His hands-on experience in the outdoor industry, where he has held roles centered on performance and consumer insights, has deepened his commitment to leveraging data to identify trends and drive informed decision-making in the sports world. He is also a competitive road cyclist who used what he has learned from cycling during this internship.
“While my experience is different from that of the Warrior Games athletes, I relate to their drive, discipline, and love for competition,” Amaya says. “As a competitive road cyclist currently working my way back from injury, I find it incredibly inspiring to see these athletes push through their own challenges and use sport as a way to overcome obstacles and differences. Cycling has taught me resilience, preparation, and how to stay composed under pressure – lessons I applied daily in this internship, where accuracy and quick decision-making are critical to ensuring fair and timely results.”
Amaya says that being a Sports Results Intern involved ensuring the smooth running of the competitions and helping to provide accurate and timely results. Each day he assisted with monitoring timing, scoring systems, and real-time results. He also worked with the digital data, verified results, and collaborated with event officials to update standings and ensure accurate data was collected and published. “This fast-paced role demanded meticulous attention to detail, as every number played a crucial role in determining medals and morale,” Amaya says. “I was drawn to this position because it seamlessly combines my passion for data and precision with the exciting experience of live sports. I found great satisfaction in witnessing how technology and organization maintain the seamless operation of a large-scale event. Additionally, I had the opportunity to attend various competitions, gain insights into new sports, and learn about innovative scoring systems tailored for adaptive sports.”
“I wanted to get involved with the Warrior Games because I love the message of resilience in adaptive sports in the U.S. Military. I knew this would be an excellent opportunity to interact with people from all over the country, all coming together for a cause greater than ourselves. What inspired me to apply as a Volunteer Coordination Intern was the opportunity to serve those who have served us, in a hands-on, impactful way. I’ve always admired the commitment of our military community, and this internship allows me to contribute to an event that empowers them.”
Delaney Rach ’25
Amaya says that it was really inspiring to see the athletes pushing through and overcoming their own challenges through sport. “It gave me a deeper appreciation for the resilience behind every performance and motivated me to make sure every result I helped deliver was precise and honors their effort first and foremost.”
“I wanted to get involved with the Warrior Games because I love the message of resilience in adaptive sports in the U.S. Military,” says Rach, who graduated with a degree in Business, Economics, and Society (BESoc). “I knew this would be an excellent opportunity to interact with people from all over the country, all coming together for a cause greater than ourselves. What inspired me to apply as a Volunteer Coordination Intern was the opportunity to serve those who have served us, in a hands-on, impactful way. I’ve always admired the commitment of our military community, and this internship allows me to contribute to an event that empowers them.”
Rach was most excited about connecting with the athletes and hearing their stories. “My primary goal going into the event was to support the Warrior Games with professionalism, energy, and respect, while also gaining insight into the logistics and coordination of large-scale adaptive sporting events. I wanted to grow both personally and professionally, learning from the athletes, organizers, and fellow volunteers.”
As a member of CC’s Women’s Volleyball Team, Rach was able to use her experiences on the court throughout her internship.
“Playing on a collegiate volleyball team taught me valuable lessons in discipline, teamwork, resilience, and leadership — all of which I planned to bring to my experience with the Warrior Games,” Rach says. “I understand how much effort goes into training and competing at a high level, and I know the importance of having a strong support system behind the scenes. I was excited to bring that same team-first mentality, energy, and commitment to my role as a Volunteer Coordination Intern. Additionally, as a student-athlete, it was wonderful to see our sports facilities being used for such an impressive event.”
Rach plans to continue working in live events and sports, where she will bring this internship experience, as well as her previous internships with a professional baseball team and the CC Athletics Marketing Team, to her next job.
“I’ve always been drawn to the energy and organization that goes into planning events, especially those that bring people together around a shared mission or celebration, like the Warrior Games,” says Rach, who currently works with in the ticketing office for the Denver Broncos. “As someone interested in pursuing a career in event planning, this internship was a perfect opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a meaningful, high-impact setting. Through this internship, I learned what it takes to plan and run a large-scale, multi-day event with a diverse group of participants and stakeholders. I gained practical skills like time management, adaptability, and problem-solving, while also learning how to stay calm under pressure and work as part of a larger team.”
Huebner says that as a Communications Intern, her primary responsibility was signage. “I worked closely with dot plans created by my supervisor to gather and place signs across various venues,” she says. “My day usually started with organizing signage materials from a storage set-up we made specifically for signs in El Pomar, collecting A-frames and easels from our boneyard and inventorying the signs. We arranged signage at different sites based on shifting needs especially when weather caused delays. One day I might have been prepping for cycling, and the next I was clearing Dale Street and setting up court signs for wheelchair basketball in Ed Robson Arena.”
Huebner says that a major lesson she learned during this internship was how to stay flexible. Rain delays or schedule changes could completely upend their original plans, so thinking on their feet and coordinating with others quickly was key. For example, when events were delayed at Autrey Field, the team had to reallocate signs and consolidate materials creatively to make sure everything was in place once things resumed.
“Being a Division I athlete taught me how to think on my feet and make quick decisions, especially in high-pressure situations,” says Huebner, who was a member of CC’s Women’s Soccer team and graduated with a degree in Organismal Biology & Ecology. “That has come in handy during this internship. A lot of what I did with Populous was similar to what happens on the soccer field. You work with people who have different strengths (contracted laborers, suppliers, project managers) and you have to communicate clearly and adapt when plans change.”
Huebner, who grew up as a military kid, also had a personal connection to the Games. “My family was stationed in Washington state, San Diego, and Okinawa, Japan, where I attended a Department of Defense middle school on Camp Lester,” she says. “I was surrounded by military families from all over the world, many of whom relocated every few years. My dad served as a Navy physician and combat veteran, deployed during the Iraq invasion as the battalion surgeon for 5th Battalion, 11th Marines. Later, he worked in developmental pediatrics and was the Special Needs Consultant for the INDOPAC region. Because of that background, the Warrior Games feels personal to me. These athletes represent resilience, strength, and community which are values I saw growing up on military bases as a Navy brat. It was important to me to support an event that honors their service and celebrates adaptive sports.”
One hundred and eighty-six men and women from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, and Special Operations Command competed in 11 adaptive sports: archery, cycling, sitting volleyball, swimming, track, field, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, shooting, indoor rowing, and powerlifting. There were also events held throughout the week for the athletes, including a Kickoff event on the first day and a DoD Warrior Games Celebration. The games concluded on Saturday, July 26, with a Send-Off event for all participants. All events took place on campus, apart from precision air, which was held at the Norris Penrose Indoor Event Center, and track, which was held at the Garry Berry Stadium.
Rach says that she had the opportunity to hear some of the personal stories shared by athletes, family members, and fellow volunteers, and it truly moved her. “Hearing how so many volunteers, including CC employees, have arranged to use their PTO to volunteer for multiple days and shifts was awesome. The commitment of these volunteers is truly inspirational. Many of the athletes have overcome life-altering injuries, illnesses, or challenges, and yet they continue to push forward with incredible resilience, strength, and determination. Hearing these stories and watching the athletes compete made the mission of the Warrior Games feel even more real and powerful.”
Huebner’s internship showed her the importance of clear communication and being confident in her decisions. “I’ve had to direct volunteers and coordinate signage setups on tight timelines, which helped me develop leadership skills and a sense of accountability,” she says. “I’ve learned how to be clear, kind, and firm when giving instructions and how to adjust plans with a sense of humor when things don’t go as expected.”
“Courses in statistics, programming, and mathematical economics have built the technical foundation I need to manage and interpret data effectively. Beyond academics, CC’s liberal arts education has taught me to think critically, communicate clearly, and approach problems from multiple perspectives. Those skills are essential in a fast-paced, dynamic environment like the Warrior Games, where I needed to collaborate with different teams and ensure results were accurate and timely.”
Cole Amaya ’26
The interns applied via CC’s campus employment system and were selected by Populous, a global event design firm. The four interns worked under the supervision of Populous Event Coordinator Peter Brill, who coordinated the Warrior Games volunteers. Brett Woodard, Director of CC’s Career Center, worked with Populous to arrange these paid internship opportunities and advertise them to students.
“I’m excited that these internships give our students the chance to test-drive potential career paths, build confidence in their ability to apply what they’ve learned in new contexts, and develop the kind of adaptability and initiative that employers – and communities – are looking for,” Woodard says. “The Block Plan prepares them to dive in quickly, and these internships are a chance to see how those same skills apply beyond the classroom. Supporting a national adaptive sports event isn’t just a resume-builder, it’s a powerful lesson in inclusion, collaboration, and the impact they’re capable of having.”
The internship began virtually in May, with the meetings, briefings, and trainings. The interns attended virtual and in-person meetings beginning in June and began on site five days prior to the start of the games.
“Working with a large, energic team such as Populus has been extremely welcoming and seeing their strong work effort daily is so inspiring,” Rach says. “Event management and operations is something I am super excited to get more experience in!”
The interns say that CC prepared them for this internship in several ways, including through the intensity of the Block Plan.
“The Block Plan structure taught me how to manage a heavy load of information and apply it efficiently, which mirrors the pace of setting up for the Warrior Games,” Huebner says. “You don’t always get a lot of time to figure things out, you have to act and adjust quickly.”
Amaya says that CC prepared him for this internship by teaching him to adapt and quickly learn, whether through the intensity of the Block Plan, coding projects, or his economics research.
“Courses in statistics, programming, and mathematical economics have built the technical foundation I need to manage and interpret data effectively,” Amaya says. “Beyond academics, CC’s liberal arts education has taught me to think critically, communicate clearly, and approach problems from multiple perspectives. Those skills are essential in a fast-paced, dynamic environment like the Warrior Games, where I needed to collaborate with different teams and ensure results were accurate and timely.”
As a Medal Ceremonies Intern, Watson’s primary role was to organize athlete cards according to event results, prepare medal trays, train and work alongside volunteers, and above all, she says, ensure the athletes were recognized and celebrated.
“Most of each day was spent preparing and meticulously organizing, and by the time we’ve made it to the ceremony, it was practically over, given how fast each ceremony went,” Watson says. “Medal ceremonies were all hands on deck and required strong attention to detail and precision so that each athlete was recognized as their correct rank, their name was said properly, and each medal was correct. Throughout this process, I learned about the importance of strong communication with volunteers and coworkers, ensuring everyone was on the same page for a ceremony lasting only 30 minutes where up to 80 athletes may be medaled. I also learned so much more about what all goes into planning and organizing an event like the Warrior Games, where the planning team begins organizing the next year’s Warrior Games the day after one completes, showing just how much precision is entailed.”
Watson was the youngest intern at the Warrior Games and is looking forward to bringing what she learned this summer into her remaining three years on campus.
“As I start my sophomore year in about a month, I am excited to take with me stronger communication skills and experience working with people who may be older than me,” says Watson. “Although I was the youngest one, I was given the same amount of work and the same expectations as the other interns, which allowed me to work as a true part of the planning team.”
Readers can view results on the 2025 DoD Warrior Games website.