Hannah Lee ’21 never set out to work in football. A lifelong soccer player and student-athlete at Ashland University, she always thought her career would center around that game. But one unexpected internship—combined with a heart for kids and a drive to make a difference—changed everything.
Now the Manager of Youth and High School Football for the Cleveland Browns, Hannah leads programming that impacts thousands of young athletes across Northeast Ohio. From flag football to varsity showcases, her work is rooted in one mission: helping every kid see what’s possible.
“Football is the vehicle,” she says. “But the goal is bigger. It’s about access, opportunity and relationships. I want to leave every community better than I found it.”
Her own journey to Ashland University started with a conversation. A club coach encouraged her to reach out to Ashland’s then-head women’s soccer coach, Danny Krispinsky—a fellow alum. Though Hannah didn’t have the grades many larger schools required, Ashland saw her potential. She earned a spot on the team and, thanks to support from Danny and her professors, earned a scholarship and a spot on the Dean’s List by sophomore year.
“Coach Krispinsky saw me as more than just a goalkeeper,” Hannah says. “He met with me every week to talk about academics and life. That kind of investment changed everything.”
Hannah’s experience at Ashland University extended well beyond the classroom. Faculty like Professor Kalamas created a caring, hands-on environment, showing up to games and offering support that went far beyond the syllabus. Through student leadership roles and internships, including one that helped high school athletes navigate college recruitment, Hannah discovered her true passion: using sports as a platform to positively impact others.
She discovered football almost by accident. What began as a summer internship with the Cleveland Browns turned into a full-time role and a new calling. Today, Hannah champions youth programs and works to get girls flag football sanctioned as a varsity sport in Ohio. It’s personal—and it’s working. One former participant now films for The Ohio State University’s football team. Another told her, “I want to do what Hannah Lee does.”
“That’s the moment it all clicked,” Hannah says. “It reminded me that what we do matters.”
Ashland University prepared her to lead with both passion and purpose. Through her years as a student-athlete, she learned that success is about more than wins—it’s about impact. “We weren’t just athletes,” she says. “We were role models, teammates and community members.”
And now, Hannah brings this same spirit to every game, every event and every young person she meets.
