SAN FRANCISCO — Before their season, dating back late August, Dominican University of California men's lacrosse players Brock Beall and Sean Donohue would get up on weekdays at 4:30 a.m. However, they had something a little different than lacrosse practice to get to. While most of the population was still asleep, the two seniors commuted from San Rafael to San Francisco to work as interns for the Sarah and Vinnie morning show on Alice@97.3.

The internship was a natural fit for Beall, a Communications major who hosts "The Tailgate," a sports-news podcast. Not so much for Donohue, a business major, but the experience has already paying dividends. Dominican's Faculty Athletics Representative, Dr. Christopher Leeds, and marketing professor Dr. Kelly Wiedner helped the two secure their internships.

"As a business major, I had no background in broadcasting and learned a ton along the way," said Donohue. "The business end of this internship came in the form of networking."

That has already translated to another internship with CBS Radio, in the sales department in the spring, where Donohue is joined by Dominican teammates Jake Fritz and Brian Raaka.

"The early morning was by far the hardest part of the job. You have to realize that everyone else is also up that early and the only difference is the attitude that you bring with you. Our bosses notice who comes in dragging and who is upbeat and actively looking to help," said Beall. "Our early morning lacrosse practices and travel really helped me mentally prepare for this [the Penguins are often faced with a grueling schedule due to Dominican being just one of two NCAA Division II programs in California]."

In the studio, Beall and Donohue learned the ins and outs of the broadcasting industry under the supervision of Uzette Salazar, executive producer and on-air personality for the Sarah and Vinnie morning show.

"Sean and Brock have been fantastic morning show interns," said Salazar. "They are smart, funny, work independently, and have added a great dimension to our show."

The two were tasked with a variety of roles — researching stories to be read on air, printing out and screening e-mails and text messages from listeners, logging the entire show into an Excel document, logging ad times and station checks, and clipping files for advertisers and later use in podcasts. There was some fun also, as they had the opportunity to attend events such as Alice's Now & Zen Fest, a music festival in San Francisco, and movie screenings for film reviews.

Now, Beall and Donohue will be tasked with leading the Penguins to the defense of the team's 2013 Western Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association Championship. Last season, the Penguins posted a program-best record of 8-5 and a perfect 6-0 mark against WILA opponents.

Beall, a co-captain since his sophomore season, appeared in all 13 games for the Penguins last season. This season, the 6-foot-2 midfielder from Camas, Wash. (Camas HS) is joined by younger brother Jack, a freshman on the team. The younger Beall is one of 10 true freshmen on the roster. He played in the Champion All-America Showcase televised nationally on ESPNU and was named a US Lacrosse Boys' High School All-American, Adrenaline All-American, and Champion All-American.

Donohue, a 6-foot goalkeeper from Manhattan Beach, Calif. (Mira Costa HS) was recently named a Division II All-American Honorable Mention by Inside Lacrosse. He appeared in the net for Dominican in all 13 games last season and logged 110 of the team's 128 saves He went 8-4 in a dozen starts and was named the WILA Co-Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-Western.

Dominican returns eight All-Western selections, including Donohue and junior middie Dylan Acevedo, who was also named to the Capital One NCAA Division II Academic All-District First Team for District 8. The Penguins are led by reigning WILA Coach of the Year, Ned Webster, who in his ninth season at the helm.

The Penguins' defense of their WILA title begins on Saturday, Feb. 22 versus Adams State. That game is set to begin at 2:00 p.m. on Kennelly Field at the John F. Allen Athletics Complex.