UB football’s growing internship program prepares players for the future

Like every college football coach, winning is a top priority. However, UB head coach Pete Lembo also emphasizes preparing his players for life after football. That's why, for the second straight offseason, Lembo has instituted an internship program, of which UB student-athletes are taking full advantage.

"We believe in the holistic development of our student-athletes, and preparation for life after their playing careers end is part of that," Lembo says. "We have great access to resources in the private sector here in Western New York and we appreciate the interest in making these opportunities possible. As employees get to know our players, they are also likely to become active supporters of our program."

Players like Drake Saltarelli are capitalizing on the program. The junior linebacker is serving as a clerk's assistant for the Town of Tonawanda courthouse.

"I get to see the interworking systems of a courthouse," Saltarelli says. "As a criminology major, possibly wanting to get into law enforcement, I think this is a great internship that will help me out down the road."

Entering his third year at Buffalo, Lembo has wasted little time making valuable relationships with important people around town, which has benefited the internship program.

"Coach Lembo had a connection with the previous judge in Tonawanda and I am super thankful for him helping me out with this,” Saltarelli says.

In total, seven UB players have secured internships with local companies and organizations this offseason.

John Keough is a quality control intern at Stark Tech, an energy solutions provider based in Williamsville.

Jordan Owens is a wealth management intern at Sanderson Wealth Management, based in Buffalo.

Terrell Richards is a finance and insurance intern for the West Herr Auto Group.

Gabriel Arena and Mason Cumbie are interning for BizWin Strategies: Executive Search & Recruiting as a junior associate data research consultant and a junior associate search consultant, respectively.  

BizWin Strategies CEO Dharshan Jayasinghe is a UB alumnus and, thanks to the connection he made with Lembo, has been eager to hire UB football players as interns with his companies.

Tight end Nick Leonard is interning at Locums National, a division of Systems Personnel. Leonard is a data management and analytics intern for the company.

A finance major, Leonard isn't set on a career choice and feels this is assisting him with that determination.

"I've never had a true job, in a true office environment," Leonard says. "With this internship, I've really made strong relationships I hope will help me in the future."

Boomer Brock, who played football for the Bulls in the early 2010s, is a manager at Systems Solutions. He hired Leonard and is pleased with the job he has done.

"Nick has been an incredible representative for the program and has cemented a future pipeline for many years to come between our company, Locums National, and UB football," says Brock.

Jonathan Capo, a former Bulls safety who graduated in May, interned with Triad Healthcare Recruiting last summer. Upon graduation, he was hired full-time as a junior associate search consultant with the company.

Following another successful summer, the internship program will likely continue to grow with players like Saltarelli encouraging teammates to take advantage of the opportunities.

"I think any student-athlete who has some free time in the summer should do an internship to help prepare them for the future," Saltarelli says.

For more information about the football internship program or to get involved, contact David Bonacquisti (dlbonacq@buffalo.edu).