Paul Gibson graduated from Lutheran High School in 2016 with a love of baseball and a dream that most sports fans share: working in the industry he loved. Years later, that dream has become his reality.
After graduating from LuHi, Paul headed to Boise State to study Business Administration. Looking back, he credits the experience less for the curriculum and more for the opportunities it opened up. "My degree gave me the opportunity to meet people with similar interests and career goals," he says. "Taking different business classes was helpful, especially since at the time, I didn't know exactly what I wanted to do in sports." What clicked things into focus was a hands-on opportunity that started his sophomore year. He earned an internship in Boise State's Athletic Department, working in Marketing & Promotions. "I had this internship each year until I graduated. It was a great experience, and I learned a lot that has helped me get to where I am now."
He graduated in 2020, right into one of the most difficult job markets in recent memory. Sports, like everything else, had come to a halt. "I was still pursuing a career in sports, and unfortunately, sports were on hold," Paul recalls. "It was a difficult time for sure, but I had to remind myself that God has a plan." In the spring of 2021, when Major League Baseball announced the All-Star Game would be held in Denver, Paul spotted a job posting with the Colorado Rockies for In-Game Entertainment & Event Operations. He got the role, a part-time seasonal position, and went on to work it for parts of three seasons, including the All-Star Game itself and all of its surrounding events. "I had a great experience and learned a lot, especially at a professional level."
But the momentum didn't stop there. Near the end of his first season with the Rockies, another posting caught his eye, this one with the Colorado Avalanche, working in Game Presentation. He landed that job, too. His first season with the Avs happened to be the 2021–2022 season. You know, the one where they won the Stanley Cup. "I'm currently in my 5th season working for the Avs and have enjoyed every minute of it!"
On top of his work with the Avalanche, Paul has spent nearly three years full-time in the Special Events department at CU Boulder's Athletic Department. The role spans both external and internal events from booking and executing private rentals at Folsom Field to organizing sports banquets and development events for student-athletes. He also works closely with Stadium Operations on football game days. This comes with one of the more memorable perks. "For CU Football games, I help escort all the Celebrities/VIP guests around the stadium. Definitely an interesting and fun responsibility."
For students at LuHi who share his dream, Paul doesn't sugarcoat the path. "Be someone who is willing to put in the work," he says. "You work crazy hours, holidays, weekends, early mornings, late nights. And sometimes the work can be tough, but seeing an event, game, or concert come together is a rewarding feeling. It definitely takes the right kind of people to work in sports." He also points to the people who helped him along the way – through networking, advice, and support – as a crucial part of his journey. And in the spirit of paying it forward, he extended an open invitation: "If anyone reading this wants to work in sports, please don't hesitate to reach out. Hopefully, I can be a resource for you."
As for his time at LuHi, Paul has plenty of fond memories, especially from the baseball diamond and the Spring Break trips to Florida during his junior and senior years. "I have a lot of memories that will definitely last a lifetime." And he made sure to give a special shoutout to one person in particular: "Shout out to Mrs. Davis, she was awesome!"
A big thanks to Paul for taking the time to share an update on his post-high school journey. Keep up the good work. Many of our staff would join you in saying, “Let’s Go, Avs!”
