BHS Grad Rachel Morgan, a WVU Collegiate 4-H’er, Lands in Sports Marketing and Alternate Mountaineer
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on May 17, 2025
When soon-to-be West Virginia University graduate Rachel Morgan arrived on campus as a freshman, pursuing marketing was not on her radar, nor was an interest in sports media. But as she can now attest, country roads can not only take us home – they can lead us to places we never expected.
Morgan, a WVU Collegiate 4-H’er from Bridgeport, West Virginia, became interested in attending WVU as a result of her lifelong involvement in the WVU Extension 4-H program. Though she was initially enrolled in another major, once she discovered the marketing
program in the John Chambers College of Business and Economics , her entire path started to shift.
program in the John Chambers College of Business and Economics , her entire path started to shift.
“I really didn't know what I wanted to do when I came to WVU, but then I saw the marketing program and how unique it was and how immersive the experience in the business college is,” Morgan said. “I decided I really wanted to dive deeper into marketing, and my classes really allowed me to develop a new way of thinking, while also doing hands-on work. And my knowledge and skills that I learned in my classes really helped me to then excel in my internships.”
One of those internships is where Morgan got her first exposure to sports marketing. Thanks to the confidence she developed in 4-H, she applied for a video intern position with the WVU football team, where she was able to not only do practice film for the team, but also travel with the team, learn more about the internal dynamics of a sports team and marketing, and meet other women in sports media.
“I really wasn’t into sports when I was younger, and I never saw myself working for a football team in the aspect that I am right now. But 4-H always gave me that place to be able to step out of my comfort zone,” Morgan said. “I’ve been able to carry that with me, and even though I didn’t know what I was getting into, I never looked back. Now, I’ve learned so much and will be pursuing a future in sports.”
Aside from traveling with the football team, Morgan’s intern experiences also earned her a trip to the Super Bowl pre-game activities in 
New Orleans in February. As an extension of her internship last summer, Morgan was invited to spend the days leading up to the big game at the Super Bowl Media Center, where her passion for sports marketing was fueled.
New Orleans in February. As an extension of her internship last summer, Morgan was invited to spend the days leading up to the big game at the Super Bowl Media Center, where her passion for sports marketing was fueled.
While there, she got to experience hands-on marketing displays, interact with professional athletes, sit in on the press conference for half-time performer, Kendrick Lamar, and tour the stadium.
“It still feels like a dream. The media center was so cool for me because when you think of marketing at the Super Bowl, you think of the commercials, right? But these brand experiences were so creative and engaging,” Morgan said. “And I would definitely say that I saw a lot there that I learned about at WVU. In my global marketing class, we talked a lot about how you can take marketing and then push it to a greater level, and I got to see that in action. Even though my emphasis is digital marketing, I was reminded how you can implement in-person and textural experiences into marketing.”
And while it may be surprising, the Super Bowl is only one of Morgan’s unique opportunities while studying at WVU.
“Because I’ve been involved in the Collegiate 4-H Club, I would really say that my time at WVU has propelled my 4-H experience. Since I've been at WVU, I've been an Extension camping instructor two times, and I've been able to go to Montana and Tennessee with Collegiate 4-H and experience so many unique things,” Morgan shared. “And I was able to go back as a camper to county camp, state
camp and go to dance weekend. But, it's just such a unique experience that I'm so grateful for.”
camp and go to dance weekend. But, it's just such a unique experience that I'm so grateful for.”
In addition to her involvement in the WVU Collegiate 4-H Club and her internships, Morgan has stayed busy while at WVU by being involved in Greek life and the Country Line Dancing Club.
After graduation, Morgan will quickly step into the next phase of her academic career as she begins WVU’s master’s program in sport management in May. She also was named the 2025-26 alternate Mountaineer mascot and is already off to a quick start.
“By the end of my first month, I’ll have made around 12 appearances, and I’m looking forward to a busy summer. We’ve received requests for appearances at 4-H camps and Energy Express sites, and given my connection WVU Extension programs, I’m excited to make some of those visits.”
Looking back at how 4-H has shaped her experience, Morgan is grateful for the connections the 4-H program has provided and the ways in which it prepared her for the future.
“Because of my parents, I've been involved in 4-H my whole life. I can't imagine life without it. It did really help me become a better speaker and a better leader,” Morgan reflected. “I was always getting the opportunity to learn and grow and be the best version of myself that I can be – not to be cheesy, but ‘to make best better.’”
In fact, even as a graduating college senior, 4-H is still a major part of her life.
“Everything I’ve done and have been doing recently is related back to 4-H,” Morgan said.
Editor's Note: Top photo shows Rachel Morgan performing her Mountaineer Mascot duties, while she is shown at the WVU-Pitt game in the middle image. Bottom photo shows Morgan at the Super Bowl.
