EC Wisconsin News

Lakeland University junior Arfee Edwards spent her summer working as a game day staff member for the Detroit Tigers, focusing on fan engagement at Comerica Park. On just her second day, she found herself talking with players on the field, including ace pitcher Tarik Skubal.

“He was shocked that I didn’t know who he was,” Edwards said of her meeting with Skubal. “I said, ‘Well, I’m Arfee … I work here.’”

Edwards received a signed baseball from Skubal, which she now considers a prized possession. Her responsibilities included supervising and training volunteers selling 50-50 raffle tickets, upgrading fans’ seats during games, escorting guests to the field after games, and interacting with fans in various ways.

“I didn’t really know anything about baseball,” Edwards said. “It was shocking because I didn’t realize the Tigers were a major league baseball team. The more I learned, I was like, ‘Wow, this is huge.’”

Edwards is majoring in sport management & leadership and earned four academic credits for her internship. She originally planned to spend the summer working in Sheboygan but applied for sports jobs online and secured interviews with professional teams.

She often arrived early at Comerica Park to meet players and staff. Third base coach Joey Cora gave her the nickname “coffee” because of how she introduced herself: “‘My name is ‘ah-fee’ like coffee,’” Edwards explained.

“I did not expect how welcoming everyone was,” she said. “Detroit isn’t always known as a big and bright place. I loved it. The amount of people I connected with on LinkedIn was awesome. The people I met, the people behind the scenes, I always asked how their day was and kept connecting with them.”

Her supervisors recognized her efforts by awarding her an employee honor for early July; she received a custom-made bat signed by Spencer Torkelson.

The Tigers have discussed having Edwards return next summer in roles involving premium membership services or work at the Tigers Club.

Earlier in April, Edwards worked at the NFL draft in Green Bay as part of Lakeland’s volleyball team duties there. During that event she met Cynthia Frelund and Colleen Wolfe from NFL Network; Frelund later gave Edwards a tour of Ford Field in Detroit.

“There were so many females and people of color working there, and a lot of them were higher up,” Edwards noted about her experience at the draft.

Edwards attributes her curiosity to being raised in an orphanage in Monrovia before being adopted at age four by Tim Edwards and Heidi Goehring.

“I had so many unknowns growing up,” she said. “I always had that why, why me. It stems from my adoption and wanting to know more... When I was at the orphanage I got selected, but why me? Why was I selected? Why did I get this opportunity? If I had done something different would I not have gotten it?

“I love meeting and talking to people. I want to hear their why.”

At Lakeland University she serves as a Blue & Gold Champion while also working in other campus roles. Initially interested in teaching physical education, Edwards now aims for a career in professional sports management—her goal is eventually to work for the Detroit Lions.

“I always wanted to be in the sports realm,” Edwards said. “The classes I've taken here and the number of departments I've worked with have been eye opening for me. My career path changed along with the ideas I can do. I want to help out and give back.”