CSU celebrates graduating students who have overcome obstacles, made significant achievements or are fulfilling Cleveland State University’s mission in or outside the classroom.

Today, we celebrate William Sola ‘25. 

CSU: Have you had any significant Internships/Co-ops/Careers while at CSU?

WS: I have been so lucky to have received two significant internships while being a student at CSU. The first being with the Cleveland Guardians last summer. It was the first ever CSU/Guardians internship, specifically created for CSU students. It was truly such an incredible experience to be a part of that team and contribute even 1% of the success that the ballclub had last season. 

Now, I am currently working for FIFA in Miami, Florida as a FIFA World Cup 2026 Future Leaders Intern in the Uniforms department. It has been a dream come true to not only find my footing in the sports world, but to help put on the biggest tournament in the history of the world for the sport I love the most. Currently, I am taking online classes to be able to work and live down here in Florida, and it has just been so much fun to be able to help put on an event of this magnitude.

CSU: How would you describe the connections you have made with the faculty and staff at CSU?

WS: I am blessed to say that I have made many great relationships with the faculty and staff at CSU. My father, Dr. Jose Sola, is a history professor at CSU. As a kid, I have memories of coming to the campus and seeing his office and meeting his colleagues. Many of whom are still working at the University, and it is always a pleasure to stop and say hi to them. As I became a Viking, I have found the faculty and staff to be wonderful. I am an International Relations major, Minoring in Sports Management and Entertainment. The connections I have made while learning from professors like David Stack, Todd Nelson, and Jeff Lewis were the main factor in pursuing a degree in International Relations. Learning from them was refreshing and insightful. 

Likewise in Sports Management, professors like Ron Willner and Jim Kahler have been extremely helpful and supportive of me pursuing my dream of working in the sports world. I owe a lot of that to Jim Kahler for being so inspiring and helpful to break into this space. I have also worked at CSU’s Recreation Center for the last 4 years. Working there was some of the most fun I had during my tenure as a CSU student. The entire Prostaff from head to toe were people I could lean on, ask for help, and have fun with daily. People like Chris Stewart, Mackenzie Lamar, and especially Cam Johnson have been my rocks at the Rec. I am happy to say that Cam is one of my truly best friends at home in Cleveland. 

CSU: How has Cleveland State inspired you for your future?

WS: Without CSU, I can confidently say I would not be where I am today in life. CSU and the professors I have had have inspired me to do so many great things. Dr. Nelson emphasized how amazing, and life changing studying abroad is and recommended it to his students every chance he got. Because of that, I ended up studying abroad in Sevilla, Spain for the spring 2023 semester. It was the most fun I have ever had in my life, truly. The people I met, the places I visited, everything about it was magical. I still talk to some of the other students I was there with daily, and they have become my lifelong friends. 

Likewise, the inspiration from Professor Jim Kahler absolutely changed my life. I wasn't sure if working for sports was possible, manageable, or worthwhile. I will say that taking his intro class, and all the others that he teaches has shown me just how wrong I was. He introduced me to so many different areas in sports, sport adjacent companies, inside sales teams, you name it he showed the various paths you can take as CSU students to accomplish your goals. He made the idea of working for soccer a reality for me. And continues to inspire more and more CSU students every semester.

CSU: How do you think you have fulfilled the CSU’s mission?

WS: To my understanding, Cleveland State University's mission is to “provide an education and opportunities to students while serving the Greater Cleveland community”. I do think I have fulfilled this mission set out by this University. I have received a world class education at my time here as a Viking. Every day was insightful, inspiring, and challenging. And I think that creates the perfect atmosphere for success not only in your college education, but in the working world as well. I am so lucky to have learned from some of the top people in their fields and understand what was happening not only around Cleveland, but the entire world. I also think that the opportunities given by CSU to its students are incredible, and I took every chance I could to capitalize on them. As I said earlier, working for the CSU Rec Center was an amazing experience and helped me meet so many different students, faculty, and members from all around the world. I also had the chance to become one of the first ever CSU/Cleveland Guardians Ballpark Services interns. 

Working for my hometown team was such an amazing experience. I loved the department I was working in and had fun each and every day helping put on game days, special events, and so much more. I am happy that I created such great connections there, many that I still talk to daily. Furthermore, working for the Guardians led me to working with Anna Powell, who was my direct report as an intern for the Guardians. I am happy to say that she was not only such a fantastic person to work for, but a friend, role model, and life mentor for me. Being able to serve the Cleveland community through something like sports, was an amazing experience for me.  I am happy to say that that experience helping and promoting Cleveland's baseball team, led me to where I am now with FIFA and the work I am doing here for the World Cup. 

Congratulations, William!