Gurveen Clair left her mark on Washington State soccer’s record book in her four years as a Cougar. A goalkeeper, she finished her senior season in 2014 as the school’s career leader in wins (44), shutouts (33) and minutes in goal (7,138:08).
Following her senior season, Clair, having gone undrafted, had invitations to try out with various National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) teams, including a preseason camp invitation from the Seattle Reign FC. The Reign, which includes former WSU soccer standout, Kiersten Dallstream, won the regular season championship in 2014 and was runner-up in the playoffs.
A sport management major, the only thing standing between Clair and her degree was an internship. Before deciding her next step, Clair, determined to finish her degree, tested the possibilities of an internship with the Reign, if things on the field didn’t work out.
“They were more than willing to help me out, which made it a lot easier for me because finishing school was a huge factor for me,” Clair said. “I was so close to being done and the internship was the only thing that was left. Their willingness to have me on board, whether as an athlete or an intern, was great. It seemed like a great atmosphere to be in, it’s close enough to school and it’s still in Washington, I didn’t want to go too, too far away.”
Training camp didn’t go as planned for Clair, as she was released from the roster following her training. But, she was impressed with the organization and the people involved with it and knew that was the place she’d want to get her foot in the door in the sports industry.
“It was an amazing experience,” Clair said. “You get a little nervous with these players, but they were welcoming and super-easy to talk to. It was a good first week and I don’t have any regrets with it. It was definitely a learning curve, just as you transition from high school to college, college to professional is just another jump.”
Just days after being released from the roster, Clair started her 10-week internship as a team administrative intern.
“It was a smooth transition,” Clair said. “The office staff showed me the ropes the first day. I got to be in the office and on the field and I see the players and staff almost every day. It was nice to still get to be a part of everything.”
Clair has enjoyed the opportunity to get to give back and do the things she reaped the benefits of as a student-athletes.
“I’ve always wanted to do something like this,” Clair said. “Sports have given me so much. As an athlete, all I had to worry about was playing, all the behind-the-scenes was taken care of. Finally I’m able to do that. I get to plan and organize, so coaches and players can do what they’re paid to do; coach and play”.
One example of that, is the kit unveiling that happened March 31, where the team unveiled their uniforms for the season. Clair was there, rather than being the one revealing the uniforms, she was behind the curtain making sure all the details were taken care of.
“It was a huge hit, people that attended loved it,” Clair said. “For me, it’s something I really get to enjoy. Being able to give back and give players the same help I’ve always gotten.”
Clair’s internship will go 10 weeks, but there is a possibility that she could stick around until the end of the season in September. She says she’s really focused on her internship right now and doesn’t have time to train, but she also knows that soccer will be an important part of her life for a very long.
“I would love to keep playing in the future,” Clair said. “I don’t see myself stopping completely. I definitely want to get back on the field sooner than later and see what kind of opportunities pop up once my internship is over. Until these 10 weeks are complete, I haven’t been able to look too far ahead.”
