For Delaney Cassidy '26, the path to a career in professional sports has been built through years of leadership, hands-on experience and a willingness to embrace every opportunity.

This summer, the William Smith lacrosse captain joined the NFL's Buffalo Bills as a member experience training camp intern, while also serving on the organization's mobile ticket team at Highmark Stadium. The opportunity places Cassidy at the center of one of the league's premier game-day operations, helping deliver a first-class experience for thousands of Bills fans.

"It is an absolute dream to have the opportunity to not only work for my favorite team, but also to help facilitate the event that happens in my hometown." Says Cassidy.  "Training Camp is just the start to what I think will be a great year for Buffalo, so to even be a small part in kicking off this historic season is an honor."

A media & society major with a minor in entrepreneurial studies, Cassidy graduated from Hobart and William Smith with an impressive résumé that blends classroom learning, athletic leadership and extensive experience in sports communications and fan engagement. She will continue her education this fall, pursuing a master of science in management at HWS while continuing to build her career in the sports industry.

Throughout her undergraduate career, Cassidy intentionally sought opportunities that would prepare her for a career in professional sports. As a communications assistant in the HWS Office of Athletic Communications, she wrote game previews, recaps and feature stories, maintained website content through SIDEARM Sports and organized photography archives. She also worked countless game days compiling statistics and assisting with event operations for multiple varsity sports, gaining firsthand experience in the fast-paced environment of collegiate athletics.

Last summer, Cassidy expanded her fan engagement experience as a fan experience intern with the Rochester Red Wings. From coordinating on-field promotions and theme nights to assisting fans throughout the ballpark, she developed customer service skills that have become invaluable in professional sports. This winter, she added another chapter to her résumé as a member of the Rochester Knighthawks Flight Crew, supporting game-day entertainment, community events and youth lacrosse initiatives.

"I've been so lucky to be so involved in different sports over the years and every role I've played has contributed greatly to landing this internship and executing the way I should. Every game day has prepared me for working long and strange hours, finding a way to make a fan's day and most importantly, enjoying every busy minute of it," says Cassidy.

On the field, Cassidy has been just as impactful. A captain of the William Smith lacrosse team during the 2025-26 season, she earned the Pat Price Genovese Lacrosse Award while helping lead one of the nation's premier Division III programs. Away from competition, she balanced her athletic commitments with academic excellence, earning Dean's List recognition five times, IWLCA Academic Honor Roll honors and recognition as a 4.0 student-athlete. She also received the William Smith Athletics Evaleen C. Harrison Award and was a Trustee Scholar during her undergraduate career.

The transition from college athletics to the NFL may seem like a significant leap, but for Cassidy, it's the culmination of years spent building the skills employers seek: communication, leadership, teamwork and the ability to perform under pressure.

"Being a student athlete comes with the benefits of being wired to always giving your best and doing it for the benefit of your team. My fellow interns and supervisors at the Bills have been so hardworking, funny and inspiring, which makes even the hard days enjoyable. As I pursue a career in sports, I'm excited to have the chance to continue to work in teams because it's where I thrive and have the most fun!

I also love the high-pressure environment of sports. I think growing up playing lacrosse made me want to seek out that kind of thrill in my career. There's no better feeling than executing a plan during a live event."

Whether writing stories, engaging fans on game day or leading teammates on the lacrosse field, Cassidy has consistently demonstrated a commitment to creating meaningful experiences for those around her. Her newest role with the Buffalo Bills marks another exciting step in a career that is just getting started. One built on preparation, perseverance and a passion for sports.