Monday, August 17, 2015
by Western Washington University Athletic Communications

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Former Western Washington University track and field student-athlete Tyler Crebar was among 29 candidates selected to the NCAA postgraduate internship class that will spend the 2015-16 academic year at the national office. That announcement was made by the NCAA leadership development and human resources department.

Crebar graduated from WWU last spring with a bachelor of arts in journalism with a concentration in public relations, and a minor in sociology. He will work in the NCAA communications office.

Crebar’s hometown is Ridgefield, Washington, and he was a four-year letterwinner in track at Prairie High School. A walk-on at WWU, Crebar competed as a freshman and sophomore for the Vikings in the javelin and discus throws before leaving the sport because of injuries.

During his time at WWU, Crebar completed public relations, marketing and journalism internships with multiple non-profits and WWU’s office of communications and marketing. He also served as the communications coordinator for the Associated Students of Western Washington University and was a founding member of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) chapter.

Based in Indianapolis, the NCAA postgraduate internship has exposed participants to the inner workings of college sports and higher education from the national perspective for more than 25 years. It is an experience they might eventually bring to careers as full-time athletics administrators on college campuses or athletic conference offices.

NCAA postgraduate interns are salaried with benefits and receive comprehensive training, mentor assignments and networking opportunities throughout the experience. Considered temporary full-time employees, interns have daily projects in which they have the opportunity to work on programs and initiatives that positively impact college athletes, and many have opportunities to interact regularly with university officials. Additionally, postgraduate interns plan and execute their own professional development site visits at conference offices, member campuses and affiliate organizations to further their knowledge of college sports and network with industry leaders.

The NCAA offers internships in several departments within the national office: administrative services, championships and alliances, communications, education and community engagement, executive, governance, inclusion, leadership development and regulatory affairs, which include academic and membership affairs, the NCAA Eligibility Center and enforcement.