From Student-Athlete to Sports Professional: Hannah Thompson’s Next Chapter in Sports

By Marissa Burian

For Hannah Thompson, a former UND softball player turned sports business professional, the lessons she learned on the field now guide her in the fast-paced world of professional sports. As a graduate student in UND’s MBA program, Hannah is building an impressive career working with two major organizations, the Minnesota Vikings and the Minnesota Timberwolves, where she continues to push boundaries and thrive in an industry she’s come to love.

Building a Career in Sports

Currently, Hannah serves as a Black Jacket Premium Seating Host for the Minnesota Vikings and a Corporate Partnerships Assistant for the Minnesota Timberwolves. These roles have allowed her to combine her business education with her passion for sports while gaining hands on experience in partnership management, hospitality, and event operations.

“With the Vikings, I primarily work on gamedays, supporting the premium experience and seating operations,” she said. “My focus is on enhancing the Turf Suite experience for our clients, whether that means preparing suite spaces, coordinating gifting, ensuring every detail meets expectations, or simply going the extra mile to make sure guests have a memorable experience.”

Each game day is different, and that unpredictability has become one of Hannah’s favorite parts of the job. She is often responsible for anticipating client needs, managing logistics, and making sure every detail is handled professionally, even in high pressure situations.

When she is not at U.S. Bank Stadium, Hannah can be found at Target Center working on corporate partnerships and activations for the Timberwolves. “This includes executing in arena partnership activations, coordinating hospitality and signage setups, managing promotional experiences, and capturing proof of performance through photos and videos for recap reports,” she shared. “I also help with premium giveaways, special events, and guest engagement to make sure every activation reflects both the Timberwolves’ and partners’ brand standards.”

These roles have strengthened her skills in communication, adaptability, and attention to detail, all while allowing her to work alongside professionals in one of the most competitive industries in the world.

Turning Passion Into Opportunity

Hannah’s path to professional sports began during her junior year at UND, when she had the opportunity to intern with the Fighting Hawks Sports Partnerships team. That experience introduced her to the world of sponsorship activation and sports marketing and helped her realize just how many career paths existed within the industry.

Through UND’s Pancratz Mentor Program, Hannah was paired with Raegan Palesch, now the Manager of Premium Sales for the Minnesota Vikings. That mentorship helped her better understand the sports business landscape and gave her the confidence to pursue opportunities she may not have otherwise considered.

She also spent last summer interning with the 3M Open, a PGA TOUR event, where she gained hands on experience in sponsorship activation and fan engagement. That role allowed her to build her professional network and connect with former Timberwolves employees who later helped open the door to her current position. Each experience built on the one before it, shaping her knowledge and preparing her for the fast paced work she does today.

UND played a critical role in this journey. Between coursework, mentorship programs, and real world opportunities, Hannah found a strong support system that helped her bridge the gap between student and professional.

From Athlete to Industry Professional

Hannah’s background as a Division I softball player continues to influence her approach to her career. Competing at a high level taught her discipline, time management, and how to stay focused under pressure. Those same skills now help her manage busy schedules, long hours, and the demands of working for two major organizations at once.

She also carries with her a unique perspective on what it means to be part of a team. Understanding what athletes experience behind the scenes has deepened her appreciation for the people, preparation, and pressure involved in every game. That perspective helps her approach her work with empathy, professionalism, and a strong sense of purpose.

Her love for sports has shifted from playing to creating meaningful experiences for fans, partners, and the community. Being part of the moments that bring people together through sports is now what drives her.

Lessons Learned and Advice for Students

Hannah encourages UND students who are interested in working in sports to truly understand what the industry demands. The reality of long hours, night and weekend work, and constant change is not always glamorous, but for those who love the environment, it can be incredibly rewarding.

“Networking is absolutely everything,” she said. “My networking journey really began through the Pancratz Mentor Program, where I was paired with a mentor who became one of the most influential connections in my career.”

In an industry built on relationships, reliability and attitude go a long way. Hannah says success in the sports industry starts with showing up and putting in the work, no matter the task.

“Once you get your foot in the door, the most important thing you can do is work hard, no task is too small. The sports industry can be a grind, but if you show up, put in the effort, and keep a great attitude, people notice.”

Q&A with Hannah

Favorite game day memory: “I’m biased and would have to say the Vikings vs Texans preseason game because it was my first ever NFL game along with the first time I had ever worked a professional sport event. My coworkers did a great job with making sure I actually got to enjoy some of the game and the pregame show. Being on the field for the first time is something I will never forget. “

Favorite sport to watch: “On TV, my favorite sport to watch is college football because truly any team can win any game and the fan bases make the atmosphere so awesome. In person, I love watching hockey because it’s so entertaining and growing up, I always loved watching my brother’s games.”

Dream dinner guest: “I would consider him a sports executive because he built the most popular sports media company but Dave Portnoy. Not only is he also from Massachusetts but I would love to pick his brain about building a business and I just admire his authenticity.”