Two colleges in Maryland have formed a unique partnership with a Washington professional cricket team and an IT solutions company to provide hands-on professional development for students in Frederick County.
Hood College and Frederick Community College (FCC), Washington Freedom Cricket and Infinite Computer Solutions formalized their partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Jan. 16
This collaboration to enhance educational opportunities and workforce development in Frederick County, will provide local students with high-impact internship opportunities across multiple industries, according to a news release.
Through this partnership, students from both Hood and FCC will gain exclusive access to internships at Washington Freedom and Infinite Computer Solutions, a global leader in IT services founded by Washington Freedom owner, Sanjay Govil.
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These hands-on roles span a diverse range of disciplines, including information technology, sports marketing, game-day operations, cybersecurity, and business administration.
“At both Washington Freedom and Infinite Computer Solutions, we believe that innovation thrives when we invest in the next generation of talent,” said Govil. “This partnership isn’t just about providing internships–it’s about creating a bridge between the classroom and the global industries of technology and professional sports. We are proud to invest in Frederick County’s students and look forward to the fresh perspectives they will bring to our organizations.”
The initiative is designed to bolster career readiness and long-term economic vitality in the region. By integrating academic curriculum with real-world application, the program provides students with the practical experience necessary for professional success, according to the release.
This exciting collaboration also creates direct pathways from the classroom to the workforce, reinforcing Frederick County’s reputation as a hub where education, innovation, and opportunity intersect.
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As well-established anchors of higher education in the region, Hood College and FCC represent a unique ecosystem of higher education and for-profit partnerships that support students in the county and beyond.
By partnering with both institutions, Washington Freedom and Infinite Computer Solutions will reach a broad and diverse student base, helping to shape the career trajectories of the region’s future leaders, according to the release.
“This partnership with the Washington Freedom expands experiential pathways for our students and aligns seamlessly with Hood’s commitment to hands-on, career-ready learning,” said Hood College President Debbie Ricker. “The global growth of cricket and the continued rise of the sports industry create exciting opportunities for our graduates and for Frederick, and we are proud to collaborate with Washington Freedom and FCC to support both the workforce and our region.”
In July 2025, Hood announced the creation of a new minor in sports entertainment and marketing. The new academic program is offered jointly through The George B. Delaplaine Jr. School of Business and the Department of English and Communication Arts.
The sports entertainment and marketing minor was launched in response to demand for a program that could leverage growth in the fields of both athletics and entertainment.
Mahesh Joshi, the dean of the business school, told local Frederick News-Post that when he joined the college, faculty and staff members identified gaps in the college’s programs. Joshi heard similar feedback while he participated in the 10-month Leadership Frederick County program, which is led by the county’s Chamber of Commerce.
“What I realized is that rather than having another run-of-the-mill sports management program, we create a niche program which focuses on preparing people for their first job,” he said.
Joshi said he is confident that students in the program will find a job easily after college, and that “rather than learning on the job, they would actually be performing on the job.”
“The whole idea is if we are building a whole ecosystem on live entertainment, including sports, then we need the talent of all across the industry to provide services,” he said.