ALISO VIEJO, Calif. - The CCAA is proud to announce that Maya Coston will join the conference staff as its Athletics Leadership Development Intern for the 2026-27 academic year.
 
"We are excited to welcome Maya Coston into the conference office," said CCAA commissioner Allen Hardison. "In this role, Maya will expand our digital footprint by playing a large role in content creation, storytelling and championship publicity. She has a big vision for what the position can be, and I can't wait to see where she takes it."
 
Coston returns to the CCAA after earning her bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies from Stanislaus State in December 2021. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Sports Management at Long Beach State and is expected to graduate in June 2027.
 
While at Stanislaus State, Coston spent more than four years as a student assistant with the Warriors’ men’s basketball program, and she assisted the athletic department with game operations. In the role of manager, she supported the coaching staff with the program’s daily operations and assisted in monitoring the academic progress of student-athletes. She also helped coordinate community outreach events, group ticket sales and the program’s inaugural Basketball Alumni Night while contributing to the team’s social media efforts.
 
Coston also gained experience throughout the Stanislaus State campus, serving as the vice president of the Black Student Union and as a co-host of the “Black at Stan” podcast. Her involvement with the basketball program and the athletics department helped build her interest in pursuing a career in sports administration.
 
Coston has also gained hands-on experience serving as a project manager with San Diego Gas & Electric and as a Consumer Experience Specialist and Human Resources Advisor with Nike.  She served as a liaison between retail employees and Nike’s corporate operations while helping team members access professional development resources, benefits, and career opportunities. Coston also led the store’s Nike Community Ambassador program, partnering with local nonprofit organizations on youth initiatives and community engagement projects.
 
Through her graduate coursework, Coston has continued to expand her understanding of the business and operational sides of the sports industry. The project-based program has allowed her to work through real-world scenarios involving areas such as budgeting, sponsorships, facility operations, and event planning.
 
"I am very excited for the opportunity to come back and join the CCAA," said Coston. "Being able to come back professionally and see operations from the standpoint of the whole conference is something I really look forward to. It's an opportunity to reconnect with some of the people that I've met before and assist with the development of young student-athletes. I know I wasn't a student-athlete, but I saw how the conference is good at developing people in those spaces, so I'm really excited about being back."
 
The Athletics Leadership Development Internship provides hands-on experience working with the conference staff and administrators throughout the CCAA membership. The program was established in 2022-23 to create professional development opportunities for individuals interested in pursuing careers in collegiate athletics. Coston will become the fifth group of interns to participate in the program.