2026 Merchandise Internship (Free Housing)
Grand Forks Spitfires
Internship
On-site
Grand Forks, North Dakota, United States
$500 - $1,000 USD monthly
Paid or Stipend, College Credit
The Grand Forks Spitfires are offering an internship opportunity for a current college student with an interest in merchandising to gain experience and knowledge in merchandise management, inventory and sales. Grand Forks Spitfires internships provide students with immersive, hands-on-learning to help position them for a career in the sports, entertainment and event industry upon graduation.
Who We Are
The Grand Forks Spitfires joined the Northwoods League (NWL) in 2026 (Inaugural Season).
Not Your Average Summer League
Let’s get this out of the way: Yes — we know Grand Forks has heard the pitch before. The team, the league, the “big dreams.” And yes — we know how that turned out. But this isn’t that. This isn’t a league without a plan. This isn’t a one-summer wonder. This is Northwoods League Softball (NWLS) — and we’re built different.
The Grand Forks Spitfires are committed to their mission of using FUN to make a difference in the lives of our community, employees, players, and interns.
The Internship Position
The Grand Forks Spitfires are looking for a Merchandise Intern to join their team in Grand Forks, North Dakota for the 2026 season. As the Merchandise Intern you will help support our merchandise and ballpark operations teams. This includes but is not limited to: executing merchandise operations, developing strong marketing and sales tactics, providing the highest level of service to fans, players and staff, and serving as a Spitfires representative at various promotions, events, Spitfires games and Funatix events.
Tentative Start Date: May 18th, 2026
Tentative End Date: August 8th, 2026
Tentative End Date: August 8th, 2026
Academic Qualifications: Applicants should be studying a subject in a relevant field. This may include but is not limited to Sport Management, Event Management, Hospitality, Business, Marketing, Sales, Merchandising.
Roles and Responsibilities
Pre-Season Responsibilities:
- Merchandise inventory
- Merchandise store setup including pre-season cleaning and stocking
Game Day Responsibilities:
- Merchandise store setup and operation
- Cash handling and credit card transactions
- End of home stand inventory reports completed and sent to Ballpark Operations Manager.
Post Game Responsibilities:
- General cleaning of merchandise store
- Merchandise pickup and storage
- Any other request made by front office personnel
Post Season Responsibilities:
- Collect merchandise and complete inventory of collected items
- Cleaning & organization of merchandise stand and storage room
General Team Responsibilities
- Game and Team Event Availability: Expected to be available for all Grand Forks Spitfires home games and team events, this includes weekends and holidays.
- Funatix Event Availability: Expected to be available for all Funatix Events. Full event list will be provided. This includes weekends and holidays.
- Game Day and Event Hours: Expected to be available from mid to late morning through the end of the game and/or event. The schedule will be decided by the direct supervisor on a homestand and event basis.
- Non-Game Day/Event Hours: Expected to attend office hours of 9 AM-5 PM each weekday.
- Assist with distribution of team pocket schedules, posters and other marketing materials throughout the stadium and community.
- Assist with ballpark set-up and tear-down before-the-season, after-the-season and during each homestand
- Assist with event set-up and tear-down at team events
- Assist with Family Fun zone set-up and tear-down
- Maintain ballpark cleanliness including but not limited to: cleaning tables, chairs, Family Fun Zone area, etc.
- Every intern will be required to perform as the mascot at least once during the summer
- All other duties as assigned by Spitfires front office staff
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Availability to work all home games, team events and Funatix Events
- Cash handling experience
- Customer service and/or management experience preferred
- Proficient in Microsoft Office and Google Sheets
- The ability to work extended hours upwards of 14 hours and lift 50 - 150 lbs
- Strong verbal communication skills
- Strong organizational and time management skills
- Strong attention to detail
- Must be a team player with strong leadership and communication skills
- Must be enthusiastic with a desire to work hard and have a positive “can‐do” attitude
- Ability to multi‐task and handle responsibility
- Self‐ motivated and ability to take initiative
- Enthusiastic team player, shows enjoyment and interest in working collaboratively
- Uphold our core values: Experience Obsessed, Positive Energy, Innovating Constantly, and Community Rooted. These core values set the tone in everything we do, help us succeed on and off the field, make a difference in the community and provide the best experience in sports. It is important that the person in the position commits themselves to these core values.
- Uphold our service vision: Happy People Making People Happy. We want people who love what they do, who find joy in making others laugh or smile, who want to use fun and happiness to make a difference in the lives of coworkers, clients and fans.
Reports To: Ballpark Operations Manager or General Manager
Stipend & Housing: While this is an unpaid internship, the Spitfires offer a stipend to assist with living expenses, including housing, transportation, and meals. The organization provides two housing options designed to accommodate both local interns and those relocating to Grand Forks for the duration of the internship.
- Option 1-
Stipend-$1000/Month
Housing-Not Provided. Intern is responsible for providing their own housing.
- Option 2-
Stipend-$500/Month
Housing: Housing is provided by the organization. If a security deposit or utility expenses are required, they will be the responsibility of the intern.
Credit: College credit towards a major, minor or general elective may be earned.
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.