Adelphi graduate student Danielle Parks has been named the first recipient of the Northeast-10 Conference’s Institutional Minority Internship, a position funded through the Division II conference grant program.

Parks will be responsible for assisting with marketing and promotions for Adelphi athletics, including oversight of the Panther Pride Rewards program that aims to increase student fan attendance at home events.

Northeast-10 Commissioner Julie Ruppert said as a means to support diversity throughout the conference, the league allocated a portion of the money it receives from the conference grant program to fund a 10-month internship on one of its member campuses.

“Our goal is to increase the number and development of future administrators and coaches,” Ruppert said. “The Northeast-10 is enthusiastic about the prospect of encouraging recent graduates to enter the field of college athletics, and our entire membership looks forward to working with Danielle Parks over the coming year.”

Parks, who earned a bachelor’s degree in communications last May and is currently pursuing a master’s in sports management, was two-year starter on the Adelphi basketball team after transferring from Holy Family. During her senior year, she led the Panthers in three-point field-goal percentage (37.5) and was second in assists (57).

“From my experience, seeing minority administrators is rare,” she said. “Getting this chance gives me confidence, knowing that I will be able to use this as a steppingstone to continue in athletics for hopefully a long and successful career.”

As part of the internship, Parks will also receive a stipend to attend the NCAA Emerging Leaders Seminar in January 2010. That seminar targets conference and other athletics interns for professional development.

“This is a great opportunity to network and to learn more about the world of sports culture and management,” Parks said.