As a native Philadelphian and an avid local sports fan, Anthony Ragno could not have been more excited when he landed his third co-op position — one that saw him working in the Live Events Department for the Philadelphia 76ers.
"I literally got the luckiest co-op you could've possibly gotten," Anthony said as he watched preparations at the Wells Fargo Center for a home game. From a business and marketing perspective, Anthony learned exactly what he wanted: the ins and outs of a professional televised athletic organization and how everything comes together. Anthony described the business as "structured chaos" — he never knew exactly what activities each day would entail, but he always showed up in a suit.
In addition to learning to anticipate the needs of Live Events in terms of communication and props during events and games, he also had the opportunity to write some of the commentary, questions, and stats that made up the commentators' banter, as well as questions for the basketball players in their pre-recorded interviews. Anthony loved that he was constantly on the move and that he got to see the work he put into the events come to life.
While his co-op is over, Anthony is still showing up at the Wells Fargo Center, but for a different reason. As a child, Anthony had been mesmerized by the trampoline dunks, breakdancing, gymnastics, and t-shirt launching of the dunk team, recently renamed the Flight Squad. While still working for Live Events he heard the Flight Squad was looking for new members, and he asked if he could join. The try-out was rigorous, but at the end they gave him a t-shirt cannon, and he was in. Now he's into trampoline dunking. What started off as part of his co-op duties led Anthony to living out one of his childhood dreams.
Anthony never would have believed before what he's doing now. He’s looking forward to graduation, hoping that his continued involvement with the 76ers will some day lead to a career opportunity. He's also preparing for the next basketball season — expecting that try-outs for the Flight Squad will be very competitive, Anthony wants to step up his game.