By Barry McNamara
MONMOUTH, Ill. – Thomas Witty’s summer internship didn’t start until mid-July, but he’s made up for it by putting in very full days while working for the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts.
A fifth-generation Monmouth College student from Northbrook, Ill., Witty is assisting at the Colts’ training camp in Westfield, Ind., about 20 miles outside of Indianapolis. His first day was July 14, and he’ll head back to campus after his final day with the Colts on Aug. 18.
Witty rises by 5:30 a.m. to be on the job by 6, and he typically puts in 14- or 15-hour days, working until 8 or 9 p.m.
“It’s a grueling work day, but it’s a lot of fun,” said Witty. “I’m not busy that entire time, so there’s a lot of observing. It’s really fun to just soak it all in. It’s a pretty cool opportunity.”
What does keep Witty busy is helping Colts players get where they need to go throughout the day. That means driving a shuttle between the hotel and the practice field, as well as manning a golf cart to move players around the facility.
“If there’s anything that the players or coaches need, we’re available,” said Witty of the interns’ role. “That could also mean stocking coolers or making airport runs to pick up guys who are coming in for a tryout.”
Having grown up in the Windy City suburbs, Witty is a Chicago Bears fan, but he’s been impressed by what he’s seen from the Bears’ rivals to the east.
“It’s been really fun to watch the Colts and see how they go about things,” he said. “They’re a good young team, and it should be fun to watch them for years to come.”
Coming off 12- and 10-win seasons, respectively, both the Bears and Colts are on most experts’ short list of teams that could reach Super Bowl LIV. If they both deliver on that potential, it would be a rematch of the 2007 Super Bowl, which the Colts won 29-17.
Witty is no stranger to championship squads, as he’s played the past two years on the Fighting Scots baseball team, which has made two straight postseason appearances, including a Midwest Conference title his freshman season.
“That experience was a blast,” said the junior. “That’s one of the best teams I’ve ever been on. We’re looking to repeat that title for the next two years, and I think we can.”
Witty has also had a close look at some other strong Monmouth teams through his role as a broadcaster. The communication studies major calls Fighting Scots football games in the fall and men’s and women’s basketball games in the winter. Last season, both basketball teams qualified for the postseason, and the football team won the conference title his freshman year.
Witty hopes to parlay his experience with the Colts into a position in professional sports, potentially as a scout. His broadcast experience at Monmouth gives him a solid Plan B.
“We’ll see how it goes,” said Witty. “Working in the NFL would be the ultimate goal. That would be what I really want to do. But broadcasting could be something I’d want to pursue.”
No matter which route he takes, he knows he will draw on his experience watching the day-to-day workings of an elite professional team.
“Watching the game at the highest level really helps my understanding of football,” he said. “It’s really special to be able to watch them go at it every day.”
