Open to opportunities

Sara Merkel

@saramerkel

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Sports management student and athletics marketer with hands-on coaching, recruitment, and event promotion experience.

United States

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What I'm looking for

I seek a role in sports management or athletics marketing where I can blend coaching, recruitment, and content creation to grow programs and engage communities.

I am a Sports Management student with practical experience in athletics marketing, recruitment, and event promotion. I have developed and executed marketing assets, coordinated recruitment and engagement activities, and supported team leadership through materials like a captain handbook.

My background includes coaching youth and high school soccer, refereeing, volunteer leadership for fundraising events, and customer-facing roles that strengthened my communication and organizational skills. I deliver reliable, community-focused support and creative promotional content to drive participation and performance.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Team Captain - Marketing

Relay for Life

Apr 2024 - Jun 2025 (1 year 2 months)

Led team fundraising and outreach efforts, creating posters and social media content to drive community engagement and event participation.

Fundraising Social Media Marketing Community Engagement poster design Event Promotion

Assistant Soccer Coach

Dundee High School

Mar 2023 - Jun 2025 (2 years 3 months)

Assisted in planning and running practices focused on skill development and tactics, provided individual coaching to improve technique and mentored players to build confidence.

Coaching Mentorship

House/Pet Sitter

Self-Employed

Oct 2021 - May 2025 (3 years 7 months)

Provided drop-in and overnight pet care across multiple client locations, managing feeding, walking, bathing and care for cats, dogs, exotic fish, and chickens.

Animal Care Time Management Client Communication Reliability Overnight Care

Athletics Work Study

Washtenaw Community College

Aug 2024 - Apr 2025 (8 months)

Developed and executed marketing materials (photography, videography, flyers) and coordinated recruitment efforts; co-authored a captain handbook to improve student leadership clarity and success.

Sports Marketing Photography Videography Graphic Design Recruitment Content Creation Event Coordination

Soccer Referee

Dundee Parks & Rec

Mar 2020 - May 2024 (4 years 2 months)

Enforced safety protocols and game rules for age groups U6–U18 while communicating with players, coaches, and parents to maintain a safe and orderly game environment.

Enforcement Conflict Resolution Communication