When fans tuned in to matches during the FIFA World Cup, they saw 90 minutes of action on the field. Behind the scenes, however, thousands of people worked to ensure every detail ran smoothly, including Oglethorpe University alumna Marissa Romaine ’23.
Romaine, who earned a degree in business administration with a minor in communication studies, served as Senior Coordinator of Media Services and Venue Media Coordinator for Miami Stadium in Florida. Her responsibilities ranged from managing media accreditation applications to overseeing game-day operations for one of the tournament’s busiest venues.
“With the Media Services team, my main project was media accreditation applications,” Romaine said. “I managed the U.S. media accreditation process, which consisted of reviewing hundreds of applications from journalists and photographers, verifying eligibility and sending approvals.”
One of the many busy post-match interviews organized by Romaine.
Working alongside FIFA’s communications team and U.S. Soccer, she helped ensure accredited media members had access to the tournament while serving as a point of contact for operational questions before they arrived.
As the tournament approached, Romaine also took on a venue-based role in Miami. There, she led a team of more than 40 media operations volunteers and managed spaces used by journalists, photographers and broadcasters, including press conference rooms, mixed zones and media work areas throughout the stadium.
For Romaine, a typical match day was lengthy, starting hours before kickoff and often ending late at night.
“At full time, I moderated the two official post-match press conferences with each team’s head coach before moving to the Mixed Zone, where players stopped to conduct interviews with accredited media on their way out of the stadium,” she said. “Media operations continued for up to three hours after the match ended, making for long but incredibly rewarding days that required constant communication, quick problem-solving and collaboration across multiple departments.”
The experience also challenged her to work with people from around the world.
“The FIFA World Cup brought together media representatives from around the world, each with different expectations, communication styles and standards of service,” Romaine said. “I quickly learned that effective communication, patience and empathy were just as important as operational knowledge.”
Reflecting on the experience, Romaine said it offered a new perspective on operations at the massive size and reputational level of the FIFA World Cup.
“My main takeaway was realizing what it takes to deliver an event on a global scale,” she said. “There are thousands of people working behind the scenes to make every detail run seamlessly.”
Romaine credits her Oglethorpe education with helping prepare her for the role. Courses in communications, journalism and international business provided a foundation for working with media professionals, while her experience as a member of the Oglethorpe women’s soccer team taught teamwork, resilience and accountability.
“A special shout-out goes to Dr. Seema Shrikande, whose communications classes helped shape the way I approached working with media professionals from around the world,” she said.
For students interested in sports and event management, Romaine offers simple advice: embrace opportunities wherever they appear.
“Careers don’t always follow the path you expect, and that’s okay,” she said. “Stay open to opportunities, work hard in every role you’re given, and don’t be afraid to start somewhere that may seem small. You never know where that first opportunity will lead.”
Her journey from Oglethorpe’s classrooms and soccer fields to one of the world’s largest sporting events reflects the many ways Stormy Petrels are making an impact far beyond campus.