Craig Stancher has been named the recipient of the eighth annual Brian Fishman Internship, given annually to an outstanding college graduate who is pursuing a career in athletic media relations. Stancher, a recent graduate of Michigan Tech University, begins his duties with USA Hockey on June 26.
Named in honor of the late Brian Fishman, who served as the manager of communications and marketing for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program in 1998-99, the internship has received nationwide attention since its establishment by USA Hockey in 1999. Fishman passed away unexpectedly on Jan. 7, 1999 at age 28.
Stancher’s responsibilities with USA Hockey will include providing assistance with various media and public relations projects, including feature writing for USA Hockey Magazine.
“Craig typifies the integrity, enthusiasm and passion for hockey that so distinguished Brian, and I am confident he will be a strong asset to USA Hockey,” said Barry Fishman, Brian’s father. “Brian’s mother, Ruth, and I are pleased to welcome Craig to the tradition of excellence that the internship has come to represent.”
A scientific and technical communications major, Stancher served as the lead student assistant in Michigan Tech’s athletic communications and marketing office since 2004. He assisted in the design and publication of several athletic media guides, produced game notes and press releases, and oversaw game-day media operations. Stancher also served as the sports editor for Michigan Tech’s student newspaper, which won a 2003-04 Newspaper Pacemaker Finalist Award for general excellence, during his final three years of college.
In addition to his duties with Michigan Tech’s athletic program, Stancher served as an intern writer for FOXsports.com. He wrote a weekly review of the NCAA Division I hockey scene, was responsible for the FOXsports.com NCAA power rankings and conducted interviews with some of college hockey’s top players.
NOTES: The Brian Fishman Internship is given each year to an outstanding college graduate who is pursuing a career in athletic media relations … Previous Brian Fishman Interns include Alex Clark in 2005-06 from Colgate, Christy Jeffries in 2004-05 from Boston University, Caitlin Lazaro in 2003-04 from the University of New Hampshire, Seth Cole in 2002-03 from St. Michael’s College, Yariv Amir in 2001-02 from Colgate, Cassy Maxton in 2000-01 from Miami (Ohio), and the inaugural recipient, Jennifer Dame, in 1999-2000 from St. Cloud State.
