Join us for our weekly “Rock Reflections,” a series celebrating Trinity alumni. From all 50 states to countries worldwide, our graduates are making an impact, and we'll share their stories on Trinity's website and social media.
This week’s profile is about Stephen Anderson '12
Stephen Anderson’s four years as a Trinity basketball student manager led him to a dream career in sports marketing.
Stephen came to Trinity from Barret Traditional Middle School. He wasted no time getting involved in athletics and activities. He was a Merton House representative and captain. His other activities include the Future Business Leaders of America, Green Cross Club, Joseph of Arimathea Society and the National Honor Society. He also earned a Shamrock Award for his academic success and was selected for the prestigious Governor’s Scholars Program. He was honored by the faculty with the Father Kevin Caster Service Award at the end of his senior year.
Stephen spent the most time in Steinhauser Gymnasium as a manager for the varsity Basketball Rocks. His favorite memory of his Trinity years is the Rocks winning the 2012 Kentucky basketball state championship – Trinity’s first basketball state title and second state tournament appearance.
“It was at Rupp Arena on St. Patrick's Day. It couldn’t have been better,” Stephen said. “It was super special to win a state championship with guys I’d spent four years with.”
Stephen also remembers when the basketball team returned to Trinity from Lexington after winning the title. A police escort greeted them upon entering the Louisville city limits, and the Rocks received a rock-star welcome by a large group of family and friends when they returned to campus, bearing the championship trophy before them.
“It was so crazy,” Stephen said. “It was like the whole Trinity community was there. I’ll never forget it.
Among his favorite teachers were Gary Owens ’88, Chad Waggoner H’20, Sister Kathy Cash and Mike Budniak H’11.
“I never had Mr. Budniak for a teacher, but I got to know him very well through the Green Cross Club,” Stephen said. “We took a trip to New Orleans to assist with Hurricane Katrina relief. It was an amazing experience. He’s a great teacher who knows how to lead.”
After graduating from Trinity in 2012, he attended Indiana University. While a student, Stephen had internships with the Louisville Bats baseball team during college summers and IU’s athletic department, which led to his career in sports marketing and administration.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing and business analytics from Indiana University in 2016 and began his sports marketing career with the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League. He spent four years with the franchise, working closely in sponsorships. He worked with brands such as Microsoft, State Farm and Courtyard Marriott, helping them put their products in front of the fanbase.
“I had a great time and learned a lot working for the Vikings,” Stephen said. “I had the opportunity to be there for the opening of a new stadium, and we hosted Super Bowl fifty-two between the Philadelphia Eagles and the New England Patriots.”
Stephen’s next stop was the University of Michigan, earning an MBA in 2022. In addition to being an intern for the athletic department, his studies focused on the intersection of sports and technology and sports streaming. He also landed an internship with Google during his time in Ann Arbor.
A year later, he relocated to Oakland, California, to join Amazon as a product marketing manager for the popular Alexa home-communication system.
“I built marketing campaigns for a global product,” Stephen said. “Getting to see my work on a global scale was really cool.”
Unfortunately, six months later, Stephen and 10,000 other Amazon employees were laid off. It was a blessing in disguise as it led to a position with the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association. He worked as a partnership development manager for team sponsors.
“Two highlights of my time in Oakland were hosting the 2025 NBA All-Star game and getting the Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA’s newest expansion franchise,” Stephen said. “It was an opportunity to start a new professional sports franchise from the ground up.”
Wanting to be closer to family, in June 2025 Stephen joined the sports sponsorship firm Group 1001 in Zionsville, Indiana, which is near Indianapolis. He’s with a subsidiary of the firm called Gainbridge and is on the brand, or advertising, side of sports sponsorships. Some of Gainbridge’s clients are the Indiana Pacers (NBA), Indiana Fever (WNBA), Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix (Formula 1), Indianapolis 500 (IndyCar), and Spire Motorsport (NASCAR).
Stephen has never forgotten his Trinity home.
“Trinity really helped me start a path for where I am today,” he said. “The relationships I built over those four years are brothers for life. You also build close and strong relationships with the staff, and they continue to support you.”
“Now that I’m back closer to home, I want to give back to Trinity in any way I can,” Stephen continued. “I know the impact Trinity had on me, and hopefully I can have a similar impact on young men coming up through there now.”
Trinity is proud of you, Stephen!
Share an alumni story!
Do you know a Trinity alumnus with a compelling story? Please reach out to Travis Wagoner '90, Alumni Relations & Communications Director, at 502-736-2122 or wagoner@trinityrocks.com.
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