One of my favorite memories of the entire summer was Rookie Week. All 47 interns were spread across Baltimore, Portland, and hybrid placements and we came together for a week filled with connection, challenge, and community. We worked on a case file together, presenting solutions like a real UA innovation team. We met with executives who shared stories that inspired us to think bigger. We volunteered together, gave back to the community, and even celebrated on a boat cruise through Baltimore’s harbor.
At the end of the week, I was honored to be named MVP of Rookie Week—a recognition that meant so much because it wasn’t just about the work, but about the leadership, collaboration, and energy I brought to the group. Rookie Week was a reminder that the relationships you build can be just as impactful as the projects you complete, and it gave me connections and experiences I’ll never forget.
As I reflect on my experience and all the amazing opportunities, there were three projects that stood out as the highlights of my summer:
- Creating for Jordan Thompson and Tall Women Athletes
I worked on a footwear build and apparel concept for Olympic volleyball star Jordan Thompson. I dreamed up a collection concept that could serve tall female athletes, and it wasn’t just about clothing. It was about making sure tall women feel represented and confident in their clothing. This is something I was super proud and passionate about, especially being 6’3 myself.
- Notre Dame x UA Sustainability Pilot
As both a sustainability minor and a Notre Dame student, this project meant everything to me. I proposed and presented a packaging reduction pilot for Notre Dame Athletics, designed to cut waste and reduce costs while aligning with both ND and UA’s sustainability goals.
- Student-Athlete Wear Testing Ambassador Program
I co-created a program that brings athlete feedback directly into UA’s product development pipeline. We piloted it at Notre Dame and Maryland, giving student-athletes the chance to test new gear and provide feedback, while also building their resumes in a way that fits with their intense schedules. As a student-athlete myself, I know how limited our time can be—and this program helps bridge that gap.
What made this internship even more meaningful was the chance to bring together two of the biggest communities in my life: Notre Dame and Under Armour. Both institutions share a deep commitment to innovation, teamwork, and purpose. To create initiatives that not only strengthen this partnership but also have the potential to impact future student-athletes was incredibly fulfilling. Whether it was designing a sustainability pilot for Notre Dame Athletics or launching a wear-testing program on campus, these projects showed me that when UA and ND come together, real change can happen.
This experience has genuinely changed my life. It gave me the confidence to dream bigger, the skills to make those dreams real, and the perspective to see how business and sport can work together for impact. For that, I am endlessly grateful.
This internship was about so much more than work—it was about people. My biggest takeaway is that it truly takes a village, and nothing meaningful can be created alone. From my manager, Steven Leonard, who mentored and guided me every step of the way, to my fellow interns who inspired me with their ideas and collaboration, to my Notre Dame women’s basketball teammates and coaches who encouraged me from afar, and to my parents who have supported me unconditionally—I wouldn’t have been able to do any of this without them. I am so grateful for every person who took the time to get to know me, believe in me, and support my ideas. It takes a village, and I’ll carry that lesson with me forever.
Bella Tehrani is a senior forward on the Notre Dame women’s basketball team. She hails from Ontario, Canada.
