Sarah Mathis

Sarah Mathis grew up in Virginia outside of Washington, D.C. A competitive and energetic person by nature, Sarah played a range of sports throughout her life from basketball and volleyball to softball and dance. Today, these same characteristics have driven her professional success.

After high school, Sarah moved to Florida to attend Flagler College and obtain a BS in Sport Management. She was thrilled to learn that a personal passion of hers translated into a degree program. At Flagler College, she studied sports management and promotion, sport finance and law, as well as facility and event management.

While in her junior year, Sarah began an internship with the Jacksonville Jaguars, one of only 32 National Football League franchises. She worked game days and enjoyed the camaraderie, spontaneity and challenge of the various tasks involved. Sarah was exposed to a variety of volunteer activities while in college, but this environment was a favorite.

As a college senior, Sarah took a semester-long internship in the spring with the Washington Redskins, her original “hometown” team. This resume-builder, combined with her previous Jaguars internship experience, positioned her to return to Jacksonville and seek full-time employment with the Jaguars after graduating from Flagler College in April 2011. Although her first role with the team was still considered an internship, she “put in her time,” which led to a position in the ticket office.

Since that time, Sarah’s career has prospered with the team and she is now the Jaguars Director of Fan Experience. She is responsible for ensuring all fans are prepared to come to the stadium, training staff on how to create a stellar game day experience, creating policy, and communicating with season ticket holders. Now in her 13th season with the Jaguars, Sarah emphasizes that there is no typical workday. Working at the stadium requires knowledge of multiple operational facets as well as who to go to for efficient answers.

“We wear many hats in the Fan Experience Department,” said Sarah. “Recently, that meant I helped roll out the field tarp on game day because of rain. Whatever it takes, we’ll do.” Sarah said.

The most rewarding aspect of her role is the relationships she creates, from internal staff to front-line team members to the fans. That fun, dynamic energy is what keeps her staff returning and fans excited about each new football season.

“You get out what you put in,” said Sarah. “I put my heart and soul into it. I perform at my highest level and stick out in tough situations. It may not always be easy, but it will be worth it.”
Working in the Sports and Recreation pathway offers many options. Sarah emphasized that at the Jaguars, there are roles in ticket operations and sales, marketing, finance, IT, corporate sponsorship, events, public relations, recruiting, as well as the legal team and the Jaguars Foundation.

For more information, check out: jaguars.com/careers.