Ethan Polak (POH-lahk) has been hired as the College Sports Communicators (CSC) intern for the 2024 spring semester. A senior at Butler University studying sports media and strategic communication, Polak will assist the CSC staff with storytelling projects, 2024 convention projects and other membership programs while gaining experience and networking with athletics communications professionals and external stakeholders. He will serve CSC through the June 2024 convention, taking place in Las Vegas (June 9-12).
At Butler, Polak works as an athletic communications student assistant and serves as head of communications for Butler’s volleyball and track and field programs.
“I am super excited to be joining the CSC Team this spring,” said Polak. “After spending more than three years in this industry, I know first-hand how much hard work and dedication it takes to be in athletic communications, and I am happy to know that I now have the opportunity to support and learn from everyone!”
Ethan at the NBA All-Star 2024 in Indianapolis, where he served as an ambassador with the Indy Sports Corp.
At the end of his junior year, Polak was named the 2023 Top Junior in Strategic Communication and Outstanding Junior in Sports Media.
“Ethan already has compiled an impressive body of work and distinguished himself as a talented strategic communicator,” said Erik Christianson, CSC executive director. “With his interest in working in college athletics communications full-time, Ethan will no doubt contribute in a variety of important ways to support CSC and all of college sports.”
Polak also serves as a student producer and director for Butler Sports Live, where he works on over 40 live sporting events on the BIG EAST Digital Network and FloSports annually. Last year, he received their Cool Under Pressure Award. This recognition is given to the sports production student that displays outstanding leadership and responsibility during the most stressful and demanding broadcasts.
In October 2023, he began a production crew member position with Pacers Sports & Entertainment, where he operates in-house cameras during the Indiana Pacers and Mad Ants games.
After spending a year as a freelance camera operator with Tupelo Honey, an Indianapolis sports production company, Polak was hired last fall as a sports production intern. He assists with the planning of events and productions, and works alongside other sports productions professionals.
This February, Polak served as an ambassador with the Indy Sports Corp on the NBA Street Team during NBA All-Star 2024 in Indianapolis. He worked in fan engagement and aided with on-site civic volunteer welcoming and assisted visiting fans, media, and NBA officials. Polak also made an appearance on WTHR-TV for his involvement as a Street Team ambassador.