FAIRBANKS - The Alaska Nanooks Department of Athletics and Ryan Lahr, the Assistant AD for Facilities, Operations, and Ticketing, have announced Kaidence Sampsel as the 2026-27 Alaska Nanooks Operations and Ticketing Intern. Sampsel will work with the Nanooks throughout the entire 2026-27 year. 

"I'm really excited for this opportunity because Alaska Nanooks athletics has been such a big part of my life," said Sampsel. "After being a student-athlete and working in the department, I wanted to continue building on those experiences and learn more about the behind-the-scenes of collegiate athletics." Sampsel not only earned her undergraduate degree from UAF, but she swam for the Nanooks swim team for the past four years. She enters this internship a year after joining the Department of Athletics as a student worker during her senior year. Additionally, Sampsel will remain close to the Nanooks swim team this year, joining their staff as a manager. 

In this operations and ticketing internship, Sampsel will support our ticketing and event operations while helping improve the overall experience for Nanooks fans. She will assist with implementing the new ticketing system, vivenu, while also developing and implementing new ticket packages for fans. "Kaidence is a great fit for this position, having already gained experience as a student-athlete and as a student employee within our department a year ago," said Ryan Lahr. "That experience has already given Kaidence a strong understanding of our department and what it takes to support our day-to-day operations and events. We are all happy to welcome her!" 

Sampsel joins the Nanooks while pursuing her master's degree in business administration. 

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