Alumni Spotlight: Natalie Garbalosa
Class of 2023
Hometown:
Boca Raton, Fl.
Current Role:
Events and Fan Experience Coordinator at the Washington Spirit, D.C.’s Premier Women’s Soccer Team
Where are you from and what brought you to Marymount?
I’m originally from Boca Raton, Florida. I started playing volleyball in middle school and from then on, I knew I wanted to play in college. While I was looking at schools, Marymount came across my radar, and after talking with the volleyball coaches and touring the campus, I decided it was the right fit. I came to Marymount in 2019 to play volleyball and graduated in spring 2023.
I studied Business Administration with a minor in Sports Management. I loved my time at Marymount and knew I wanted to work in professional sports. During the summer of 2022, I completed an internship with the Los Angeles Sparks in their Ticket Sales Academy. While I realized ticketing wasn’t the path I wanted to pursue, the experience confirmed that I wanted a career in professional sports, especially women’s professional sports. That eventually led me to a part-time role with the Washington Spirit as an Operations Assistant. A full-time position opened in 2023, I have been in my current role ever since.
What experiences at Marymount helped prepare you for your career?
Marymount helped push me outside my comfort zone. I have always been a very shy person, especially when it comes to public speaking and presentations. But through assignments like presentations in front of classrooms and larger audiences, I built new confidence. I still use those presentation skills today when I’m leading meetings or presenting to larger groups at work.
I also worked with Marymount Athletics Communications during game days, helping with camera operations, scoreboard duties, and other event support. That experience gave me exposure to different sports and helped me better understand game-day operations from behind the scenes.
The people made my experience at Marymount what it was. Playing volleyball meant I spent four years with an incredible group of teammates who became lifelong friends. I also built meaningful relationships with my professors. I still keep in touch with my professors who have been mentors to me. Those relationships and connections are what made Marymount so special.
Tell us about your current role with the Washington Spirit.
I oversee events and fan experiences for the Washington Spirit. On game days, I manage all the entertainment and help create the atmosphere outside of what happens on the field. That includes coordinating national anthem performers, booking local bands for our Spirit Stage before matches, organizing halftime entertainment, and overseeing the Spirit Crew, our co-ed dance team and the first of its kind in the National Women’s Soccer League. I also manage our mascot program, coordinate in-stadium giveaways, and help execute pregame events. Outside of game days, I coordinate appearances for our dance team and mascot throughout the community and help with events wherever needed. Every day is a little different, but I love that!
I encourage anyone who’s interested to come experience a Spirit match for themselves. My team will make sure you have the best experience possible. I honestly believe that you will have an amazing time and will want to come back for more!
What has it been like to work in professional sports?
Working in professional sports has been amazing and this has been a particularly exciting time for soccer. The World Cup has generated so much excitement, and we’ve had great opportunities to introduce more people to the Washington Spirit and continue building our presence throughout the region.
I really think the saying “Everyone watches women’s sports” is true. It’s such an exciting time to be part of the incredible growth we’re seeing. I’m grateful that I get to contribute to that growth in some way. Watching women’s sports continue to gain momentum has been amazing, and I’m excited to see where it goes because I truly believe it’s only going up from here.
What have you learned about yourself since starting your career?
Over the past three years, I’ve become much more confident in myself and my abilities. When I first graduated, I was nervous about starting my career and unsure where it would lead. Now I’m proud of the work my team and I do. Our goal is to create a game-day experience that makes people want to come back. When fans leave having had a great experience, that’s incredibly rewarding, and it motivates me to keep improving what we do each season.
What advice would you give current Marymount students?
Put yourself out there and don’t be afraid to say yes. Whether it’s joining a club, attending an event or taking on a new opportunity, you never know where it might lead. College goes by much faster than you think. Before I knew it, I was walking across the graduation stage. Make the most of your time, put your full effort into everything you do, and you’ll get the most out of your college experience.
