Recent William Penn Graduate August (AJ) Helgeson Lands Position at NCAA Division II College

05/27/2026

William Penn University graduate August Helgeson, better known as A.J., made his initial visit to campus with intentions of becoming a member of the Statesmen football team. Fate intervened for the graduate of Xavier High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Helgeson began to question his ability to compete in football at the college level and expressed this to the admissions representative. Upon the recommendation of the counselor, Helgeson met with Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Communication Wade Steinlage.

Upon graduation with a master’s degree in Sports Management on May 9, 2026, Helgeson will pack his belongings and head to Mobile, Alabama. Seizing the opportunity, Helgeson will become the Director of Sports Communication at NCAA Division II Spring Hill College. “I remember my first impression upon my visit to campus to play football was, ‘I don’t think I am cut out for this,’” assessed Helgeson. “What started out as a passive interest turned into a passion as Steinlage’s influence helped me fall in love with sports information.”

“For my first assignment, Wade put me and our head track coach, Allan Friesen, on the broadcast of our first football game of the season,” stated Helgeson. “I was awful, but things progressed with Wade’s help, and I moved into five-camera productions by the end of my sophomore year. It was a big element of learning as I gained an understanding of interpersonal relationships and the art of prioritization.”

While the road to Mobile was fueled by William Penn University and the sports information department, the path had some interesting turns. Following completion of a bachelor’s degree in New Media from William Penn University, A.J. served as a funeral director for two years in his native Cedar Rapids prior to returning to William Penn to complete his master’s degree in Sports Management. Reflecting on his experience at William Penn, Helgeson noted, “When I started to work with live broadcasts, it synchronized with my growth of knowledge in the classroom, and everything seemed to fall into place.”