Front Office

Anne Hanson
President
Email: president@watertownshamrocks.com / marketing@watertownshamrocks.com

Anne Hanson was elevated to President of the Shamrocks entering the 2026-27 season after originally joining the Shamrocks in their inaugural year as their Vice President. A Watertown native, Hanson graduated from South Dakota State University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in Marketing.

In addition to working for the Shamrocks, Anne owns a marketing consulting firm, the Original Marketing Group. Anne resides in Watertown with her husband, Greg, and their 4 children. In her free time, she enjoys time with family, hiking, and traveling.

 

 

Blake Theisen
Vice President & Director of Broadcasting and Media
Email: media@watertownshamrocks.com

Blake Theisen was named the Vice President of the Shamrocks during the summer of 2026 to add to his original title of Director of Broadcasting and Media from when he initially joined the organization in their first season. Most recently, Theisen spent the 2022-23 season with the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the USHL. Prior to his time in Dubuque, he served as the broadcaster for St. Cloud State University men’s hockey for two years along with various forms of freelance work covering Minnesota high school sports and junior hockey.

Theisen graduated from St. Cloud State in the spring of 2022 with a degree in Mass Communications with an emphasis in creative media. At St Cloud State, he was the Sports and News Director for two years at the campuses radio station, KVSC. He is a native of St. Cloud, Minnesota.

During his free time, Theisen enjoys golfing, video games, and spending time with his girlfriend and two dogs.

 

 

Sarah Cooper
Director of Social Media and Digital Content
Email: N/A

Sarah Cooper serves as the Director of Social Media and Digital Content. She joined the Shamrocks in 2025 as a Digital Content Intern. Cooper has experience in photography, videography, social media, journalism, and graphic design.
 
Originally from Raleigh, NC, she graduated from UNCW. While there, she was a photography intern for UNCW Hockey and covered club sports for Seahawk Central Sports. She received her bachelor’s degree in English with a concentration in professional writing and minored in journalism and linguistics.  
 
Cooper spends her summers with the Blue Knights Drum & Bugle Corps. After aging out in 2024, she returned as part of the media team in 2026. In her free time, she likes to get outdoors and read.

 

 

Jenni Wirkus
Billet Coordinator
Email: billet.mom@watertownshamrocks.com

Jenni Wirkus serves as the Watertown Shamrocks Billet Coordinator. In her role, she serves as the bridge between the community of local families opening their homes to Shamrocks Players and the Shamrocks Hockey Operations staff.

As Billet Coordinator, Wirkus’ duties include arranging housing accommodations for players, handling questions and inquiries regarding new or existing billet experiences, and helping to coordinate player and family experiences outside of hockey.

Wirkus is a lifelong resident of Watertown and has raised four Watertown Laker Hockey players over the years. Hockey is her passion and she has been the South Dakota Amateur Hockey Executive Director for the last seven years. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and being able to play with her new granddaughter.

 

 

Austin Thompson
Gameday Broadcast Producer and Technical Director
Email: N/A

Austin Thompson serves as the Gameday Broadcast Producer & Technical Director for the Shamrocks, leading the talented behind-the-scenes production team during home games. He is primarily responsible for setting up and managing the audio and video systems that power the team’s NATV broadcasts, while also supporting in-house production elements, including the Daktronics video displays. On game days, Austin serves as technical director, calling camera shots and executing graphics packages to deliver a professional broadcast for viewers at home.

A lifelong native of Watertown, Austin is a 2015 graduate of Watertown High School and an alumnus of the University of South Dakota. He works full-time as an Information Technology Technician for the Watertown School District, where he also assists with the production of Arrow activities and ArrowTV.

In his free time, Austin enjoys reading, tinkering with technology, listening to podcasts, watching crime dramas, and spending time with family and friends.

 

 

Olivia Sherman
Team Photographer
Email: N/A

Olivia Sherman returns to the Shamrocks as the 2025–2026 Team Photographer. A senior at Watertown High School, Olivia has been capturing dynamic sports moments for the Shamrocks in their inaugural year through her photography account @pics.by.liv.26. Her work showcases a keen eye for action and a passion for storytelling through images.
 
Beyond the Shamrocks, Olivia has expanded her portfolio to include football, basketball, lacrosse, softball, and track and field photography, demonstrating her versatility and commitment to the craft. She also does family and individual and portrait photography work. Balancing her academic responsibilities with her role as a team photographer, Olivia continues to hone her skills and contribute to the vibrant spirit of the Shamrocks community.

 

 

Meredith Hanson
Administration and Game Ops Intern
Email: N/A

Meredith Hanson returns to the Shamrocks as the 2025–2026 Administration & Game Operations Intern. A senior at Watertown High School, Meredith can usually be found with a smile at the will‑call window during games, assisting behind the scenes in the Puck Luck Lounge for group outings, and supporting various administrative tasks throughout the week in the front office. She brings reliability, professionalism, and a positive presence to each event.
 
Meredith is planning to pursue a degree in Sports Management in college, combining her experience with a passion for organization and hospitality.