Wichita State University student Eric Siever interned with the Wichita Wild, an indoor football team, and helped the organization win the Franchise of the Year award.

He attended Emporia State University directly after high school to play football, but tore his ACL, the anterior cruciate ligament in the knee, after two seasons and gave up playing.

He coached college football at West Virginia University, but decided to move back to Wichita when he realized he wasn’t making any money and wanted to go back to school.

“I wanted to experience life a little, trying to decide what it was I wanted to do for a career,” Siever said. “I found that here at WSU.”

Siever was in the business administration program when he first enrolled, but he found sport management was a better fit for him.

“Being involved in sports is my passion,” he said, “so I figured I should do something that I will love to do day in and day out.”

Siever applied to intern with the Wichita Wild in December 2008.

“I think my previous experiences in sports, playing and coaching, my personality, work ethic and my drive to get better is why they (the Wichita Wild) chose me,” he said.

Siever began his internship in late January and worked until the last home game, Aug. 1. He worked 20 hours a week, unpaid, at the office and another several hours during weekend home games.

He was the ticket management intern for the Wild. He dealt with ticket sales, birthday parties and any other duty needing to be done for the organization.

During Siever’s time with the team, the Wichita Wild saw a 75 percent increase in attendance over last year.

James Bain, internship coordinator and Wild assistant general manager, attributed part of the increase in attendance to the interns, including Siever.

“(Siever) and the rest of our students from WSU were prepared very well for the internship,” Bain said. “They all took their responsibilities very seriously.”

Siever said it was exciting trying to get the Wichita community involved with the organization.

“Getting people to come out to their first indoor football game ever and watch them enjoy themselves so much is a thrill to watch,” he said.

Siever’s internship gave him the added benefit of networking with people he said he wouldn’t have met had he not participated.

He said it also “adds to my drive to get through school and start my career.” He wants to be one of the best in the industry.

His career path is certain: an athletic director or front office management for a team.

He will graduate in spring of 2011.