Former interns make their mark in soccer world

Wednesday, March 4, Corvallis, Ore. – Three former Corvallis Knights interns are making their mark in Portland – Soccer City USA – with the Portland Timbers of the MLS and the Portland Thorns of the NWSL.

Alums Eric Riley (2021) runs the social media for the Timbers, Kacie Van Stiphout (2018) runs the social media for the Thorns, and Zoe Raiter (2017) is the Thorns’ Director of Community Impact.

Riley grew up in Aurora, graduated from nearby Canby High School and then attended Clackamas Community College for two years before transferring to Portland State to complete his marketing degree.

He started as an intern with the Timbers in March 2023. He was promoted to one of the team’s social media coordinators about a year later.

“I help run our @TimbersFC platforms on social media with three other coworkers,” he said. “We come up with ideas and find trends that can fit into our brand.

“[I also] travel with the team on road trips, providing live in-game coverage and play-by-play for fans.”

Riley said his time with the Knights helped him understand how “wholistic” things are inside an organization.

“I ran the box office with a couple other coworkers. This helped me understand how connected each part of the organization is to get tasks done, in addition to doing so many things, from game presentation, being a mascot, etc.

“Working on everything helped me have such a greater understanding for how impactful it is with each person doing their job.”

Van Stiphout is a Lake Oswego native who graduated from Lakeridge High School in 2015.

She then made what she calls “the best decision in my life!” and enrolled at the University of Oregon. She graduated with a BA in Public Relations and Media Studies.

“I highly recommend the school of journalism!” she said. “I concentrated in public relations, which is so applicable in my job now.”

She started her career with the Thorns in 2022 as a social media coordinator, doing day-to-day content capture for the Thorns and the Timbers. She then was promoted to the Thorns’ Director of Social Media.

“I lead a team, ideate on strategy, work with influencers, and I’m the creative producer and director of our social roll out campaigns!” she said.

Van Stiphout said her Knights internship was her baptism in the social media world. It was her initial opportunity to capture content and post that information on the Knights’ official social media accounts.

“Literally, I wouldn’t have my current job without the Knights!” she explained. “I had to learn what was funny and trending and make decisions in real time.

“I learned how fast social media platforms change and adapt!”

Van Stiphout said she would advise anyone interested in working in the sports field to apply for every internship, in any role.

“Ticketing, community, PR, social, baseball operations, in-stadium entertainment/management; any position will help you!” she said.

“It will make you figure out what you love, but also tell you all roles are important for the organization to keep moving forward!”

A Bend native and Bend High School graduate, Raiter earned a BA in business administration, with a concentration in sports business, from the University of Oregon in 2018. She started at her current job with the Thorns in 2024 as one of the original 10 team employees following the takeover by the club’s new ownership group, RAJ Sports.

“I lead the development and execution of community engagement and social impact initiatives, using the platform of women’s soccer to create meaningful, lasting impact for fans, partners, and the broader community,” she said.

Her Knights internship was her first experience working with a sports team and athletes, and her first position focused on community impact.

“It taught me how to manage a fast-paced schedule filled with games, events, and activations, and it gave me an early understanding of the culture and expectations of the sports industry,” she said.

“The mentorship I received helped shape my leadership style and reinforced the idea that in sports, everyone pitches in. One of the first lessons that stuck with me was that no task is too small, that ‘Even the CEO stops to pick up garbage on the concourse.’”

“I’ve carried that mindset throughout my career, striving to lead by example and be a strong team player. I am incredibly grateful for my time as a Knight and love that I now get to collaborate with a fellow Knights alumnus to bring the Thorns’ community work to life.”

The Knights open their 19^th season in Corvallis on May 29 with a West Coast League road series at Kamloops, B.C. Their home opener is set for June 10 against the Marion Berries, starting at 6:35 p.m. at Goss Stadium.