Florida Collegiate Summer League

News

Former Interns Find Success in Sports Industry

January 14, 2020
9:39 AM EST

COLLEGE STUDENTS! We are currently accepting applications for our 2024 internship positions

The mission of the Florida League is to develop and prepare college students for a future in sports. Naturally, most people think that this idea strictly pertains to baseball players on the field. While the success of our players has been prodigious (447 players drafted in 16 seasons), another group of young men and women have also found success in the sports industry after their time in Central Florida working for the Florida League ... our interns.

When they head to the ballpark, most casual fans are only concerned with the action on the field. They are joined by friends and family to watch a game, grab a hot dog and cheer for their hometown team. What they don’t see is a group of hardworking individuals prepping the stadium, writing PA scripts, filling water coolers, creating graphics, trying to corral little leaguers to take the field, and more. They don’t see the broadcaster who has spent hours researching his team’s opponent so he can fill three hours of live airtime with stats and information. They miss the writer who stayed up until past midnight finishing their game recap. They probably don’t realize that the group of Little League teams in attendance are only there because staff members spent their Saturday at the local park promoting the ballclub.

Each summer, the Florida League offers roughly 35 college students a chance to work in the sports industry. This opportunity not only provides college credit for those students still pursuing a degree, but also real world experience in the sports field. Marketing, sales, broadcasting, creating graphics, customer relations, and journalism are just a few of the skills associated with the intern program. For many, the Florida League internship has served as a stepping stone to their career in sports.

Over the course of a season, anywhere from 5-10 interns per team grow from a group of complete strangers to a well-oiled machine that is the key to success behind every team. Without these hard-working college students, who put in long hours for ten straight weeks, the Florida League simply could not operate.

An impressive number of former Florida League interns have parlayed their experience along with their education to land positions within sports organizations across the country, including Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball, the NBA, the NFL, and more. We are so proud to see so many of our former interns begin their journey towards reaching their career goals. Here is what a few of them had to say about the experience:


"Working with the Florida League was honestly one of the greatest experiences of my life. Not only did I gain valuable experience in the sports industry, but I also formed lifelong relationships with some great people. Anyone who interns with the Florida League will get a taste of every sector of the sports industry; sales, marketing, and operations. I highly recommend that anyone who wants a career in sports should apply for an internship with the Florida League."
- Ryan Medley (Team Ops, Sanford 2013) 
Manager, Event Operations & Security, Chicago Cubs


"The Florida League presents every intern with so much opportunity. It lays the foundation of what it takes to work in sports. Interning for the Florida League was the catalyst for my professional career working in sports media."
- Nathan Bloechl (Broadcast, Sanford 2015)
Sports Director, KHBT 97.7 (Iowa)


“The Florida League was the incubating lab which launched my career. From interviewing players on a beat reporting basis, to announcing games on the radio, to developing analytical skills on the fly; I recommend this internship for anybody who wants a career in sports media.” 
-Kevin Jones (Communications, Sanford 2010)
Founder, Bluewire Sports Podcasting


“My Florida League internship gave me an all-around experience in every facet of the industry from ticket sales and marketing, to game operations and team management. This wide array of experiences at the Florida League helped me to gain employment and be successful in a number of vastly different departments within professional sports.”
-Brennan Blair (Team Ops, Orlando 2010)
Former Video Coordinator, Milwaukee Bucks & Brooklyn Nets


"Being an intern with the Florida League allowed me an opportunity to learn about baseball operations and broadcasting inside and out. As an intern, we had the instruction to get better, but the freedom to make our own decisions and learn through experience. I don’t think I would be anywhere near as prepared to enter the workforce as I am without the Florida League."
- Jeremy Tache (Broadcast, Winter Park 2015)
Associate Sports Producer, WSVN Channel 7 (Miami)


"Interning with the Florida League was everything I could have asked for and more. Not only did I get experience broadcasting baseball and covering a team as a beat writer, I had other responsibilities that helped me step outside my comfort zone. I learned to wear different hats, helping our off-the-field team be successful. I met great people from all over the country while watching baseball every day ... now that's the life! The Florida League internship was an important step on the road to my future career."
- Brian Nestel (Journalism, Winter Park 2016)
PxP Announcer, Cabrini College ... Villanova Public Address Announcer & Emcee


"Interning with the Florida League was one of the best decisions that I have made in my young sports career. During the internship, I was introduced to a variety of tasks from ticket sales, promotions, marketing, and game-day operations, giving me an opportunity to experience all of the different pieces to what it takes for a sports organization to run. It’s a great way for you to find out what you are truly interested in doing and it has helped me find other internships as well as my current job."
- Vince Root (Team Ops, Winter Park 2012)
Account Manager at Oasys Sports ... Statistician, Queens University


"One of the best things that my internship with the Florida League provided me was the experience of how to interact with players and coaches that I was covering and reporting on. Being able to do this every day for two months gives you the best experience for how to ask questions, how to acquire information, and the knowledge of the daily grind that is a baseball season. Everything about my experience with the Florida League was great, and having it on my resume is a big reason why I was able to get the exact job I was looking for in broadcasting."
- Jim Joyner (Broadcast, DeLand 2016)
Sports Director, Mid-Kansas Radio 96.7 FM  ... PxP as the Voice of the McPherson High School Bullpups


"The Florida League was a great opportunity to understand how baseball works on the operations and business side of things. Being able to run concessions, handle fan engagement, attain corporate sponsors and execute on-field promotions allowed me to figure out what path to choose as I continue my career in the sport industry."
- Jeremy Batista (Team Operations, Leesburg 2018, League Operations 2019)
Sales Executive, Miami Marlins


More than 150 of our interns have found jobs in sports throughout the years. While some have moved on to other industries, these folks are still working in athletics:

 

Name Intern Year Team Organization Current Position
Cody Houseknecht Team Ops 2007 Leesburg US Youth Soccer Manager of Event Operations
Stefano Foggi League Ops 2007 Florida League Florida League President
Serena Holmes Team Ops 2007 Orlando US Army Fitness Manager
Daniel Paulling Journalism 2008 Sanford SWIMMER Magazine Editor-in-Chief
Juan Bernal Journalism 2008 Winter Park Pro Basketball Expo Event Director
Jay Hatch Team Ops 2008 Winter Park City of Madeira Beach Director of Recreation
Brett Adams Team Ops 2009 Clermont Tennessee Smokies Director, Ticket Operations
Jacob Peklo Journalism 2009 Sanford WMBD Channel 5 Des Moines Morning News Anchir
Trey Garant Team Ops 2010 Leesburg University of Michigan Associate Facilities Manager
Evan Roberts Team Ops 2010 Orlando Texas A&M Asst. Director Media Relations
Chantall Cooper Team Ops 2010 Sanford Orange County (FL) Recreation Site Supervisor
Kevin Jones Journalism 2010 Sanford Bluewire Sports Podcasts Founder & CEO
Nate Kopp Team Ops 2010 Winter Park San Diego Tourism Authority Sports Sales Manager
Dean Reinke Team Ops 2010 Winter Park USRA Half Marathon Series Operations Manager
Matt LaPan Journalism 2010 DeLand Emanuel College Play-By-Play Broadcaster
Megan Walsh Journalism 2010 Winter Park Brooklyn Nets Public Relations Coordinator
Justin Yount Team Ops 2010 Winter Park Rollins College Asst. Baseball Coach
Phil Chinnery League Ops 2010 Florida League Rollins College Associate Director of Athletic Communications &                    Operations at Rollins College
Garrett Altier Team Ops 2011 DeLand Lumberjack Sports Properties General Manager
Jake Snyder Journalism 2011 Orlando Deer Park School District Director of Communications
Hannah Woodfin Team Ops 2011 Sanford Octagon Sports Marketing Account Manager
Alan Aldwell Team Ops 2011 Winter Haven New York Mets Director of Premium Services
Jordan Slocum Broadcast 2011 Winter Haven JoeInsider.com Broadcaster & Writer
Tristan Powers Team Ops 2012 Sanford Florida Citrus Sports Manager, Corporate Partnerships
Ryan Murphy Broadcast 2012 Sanford Ave Maria University Assistant Sports Information Director
Vince Root Team Ops 2012 Winter Park Oasys Sports Account Manager & Graphic Designer
Jim Tarabocchia Broadcast 2012 Winter Park Dunedin Blue Jays Broadcast Coordinator
Nick Gryniewicz Broadcast 2012 Orlando ESPN 580 Orlando Host and Executive Producer
Danielle Percival Broadcast 2013 College Park Piedmont College Assistant Athletic Director of Communications
Larry Provitt Team Ops 2013 Orlando Houston Astros Manager, Marketing Projects
Rafi Soto Team Ops 2013 Orlando Houston Astros Coordinator, Ticket Operations
Janiccia Felder Team Ops 2013 Orlando Orlando City SC Marketing Coordinator
Ryan Medley Team Ops 2013 Sanford Chicago Cubs Manager, Event Operations and Security
Michael Elliott Asst. GM 2013 Winter Park Arizona State Athletic Facilities Manager
Bill Morrison Team Ops 2013 Sanford Master of All Terrain Race Series Course Manager
Patrick Nathanson League Ops 2014 Florida League Major League Baseball Senior Coordinator, International Operations
Ryan Gonzalez Broadcast 2014 DeLand mlb.com - Astros Live Content Creator
James Penedo Team Ops 2014 Sanford Victory Tailgate Sales Manager
Scott Huskins Team Ops 2014 Winter Garden Golf Now/Golf Channel Market Sales Manager (Atlanta)
Justin Aguiar Team Ops 2014 College Park Rapsodo, Inc. Inside Sales & Operations Coordinator, Baseball
Jeremy Tache Broadcast 2015 Winter Park WSVN Channel 7 Miami Associate Sports Producer
Nathan Bloechl Broadcast 2015 Sanford KHBT 97.7 Iowa Sports Director & PxP Broadcaster
Jon Opiela Team Ops 2015 Winter Garden Shorter University Sports Information Dept. Assistant
Connor Meredith Team Ops 2015 Winter Park Amateur Athletic Union Sports Coordinator
Sean Naylor Journalism 2015 Leesburg WPMT-FOX43 Digital Content Producer
Robert Nanna Broadcast 2015 DeLand Harris Blitzer Sports Sales Associate
Cameron Lee Team Ops 2015 DeLand Orlando Magic Event Activation Representative
Keith Hellebrand Broadcast 2015 Winter Garden Lakeland Magic Stage Manager
Collin Yeager Team Ops 2015 Sanford UCF Athletics Assistant Director of Strategic Communications
Brooke Abdon Team Ops 2015 Sanford US Tennis Association Officiating Coordinator
Judy Barker Team Ops 2015 Winter Park Victory Christian Academy Phys Ed Teacher
Michael High Journalism 2015 Altamonte UTSA Asst Athletic Communications Director
David Larger League Ops 2016 Florida League Ocean Reef Golf Club Assistant Golf Professional
Brian Nestel Journalism 2016 Winter Park Villanova University Public Address Announcer & Emcee
Max Rosier League Ops 2016 Florida League IMSA Coordinator, Corporate Partnerships
Dominic Visingardi Team Ops 2016 Sanford Texas Motor Speedway Season Ticket Services Account Manager
Casey Wright Broadcast 2016 Winter Garden Cox Media Group On-Air Talent/Producer
Mark Shelley Broadcast 2016 Altamonte ESPN Ithaca 1160 PxP Broadcaster/Sports Reporter
Alex Mimnaugh Team Ops 2016 Sanford AMB Sports & Entertainment Fan Insights Analyst
Carl-Max Millionard Broadcast 2016 Winter Park NSM Today (UCF) Sports Writer
Tim Sozio Team Ops 2016 DeLand Miami Dolphins Group Sales Account Executive
Malcolm Anderson Journalism 2016 DeLand The Aspire Group Sales Consultant
Danny Waugh Broadcast 2016 Sanford Georgia Southern University Communications Specialist/Sports Broadcaster
Crystal Cyr Team Ops 2016 Altamonte Orlando Magic Street Team
Tori Irvin Team Ops 2016 Leesburg Miami University Asst. Director of Marketing
Jim Joyner Broadcast 2016 DeLand Mid-Kansas Radio 96.7 Sports and News Director
Cody Cummings Team Ops 2016 Sanford Orlando Magic Guest Services Representative
Erika Stone Team Ops 2017 Sanford Florida League General Manager and League Assistant
Nigel Jones Team Ops 2017 Winter Garden Orlando Magic Premium Guest Services
Justin Madsen Team Ops 2017 DeLand Sporting Kansas City Account Executive
David Blumberg Journalism 2017 Altamonte Smithville Fiber PxP Broadcaster
Maxwell Hale Team Ops 2017 Altamonte Sacremento Kings Partnership Marketing Intern
Nick Dobson Team Ops 2017 Altamonte The Aspire Group Group Sales Consultant at Rutgers
Mark Stanford Team Ops 2017 Sanford City of Deltona Recreation Assistant
Kimberly Cozzolino Journalism 2017 Sanford ESPN Associate Operator
Angel Whetstone Team Ops 2017 Winter Park Rollins College Director of Basketball Operations
Brian Kos Team Ops 2017 Leesburg Robert Morris University Director of Football Operations
Chris Morgan Team Ops 2017 DeLand Kentucky Wesleyan College Assistant Golf Coach and Sports Broadcaster & Deland Suns Assistant Coach
Justin Madsen Team Ops 2017 DeLand Sporting Kansas City Account Executive
Jordan Bender Team Ops 2018 DeLand Tampa Bay Buccaneers Guest & Member Relations Coordinator
Matt Holzapfel Communications 2018 Leesburg KRTV Anchor/Reporter
Jeremy Batista Team Ops 2018 Leesburg Miami Marlins Sales Executive
TJ Lochte Team Ops 2018 Sanford Sports Coordinator i9 Sports
Andrew Curran Team Ops 2018 Sanford World Wide Technology Raceway Ticket Operations & Fan Engagement Executive
Brett Seelig Social Media 2018 League Greater Orlando Sports Commission Event Staff
Jenna Vanhoose Team Ops 2018 Winter Garden Shorter University Athletics Graduate Assistant
Ken Landis Communications 2018 Winter Park UCF Athletics Athletic Communications Assistant
Frankie Martello Team Ops 2018 Winter Park Fort Myers Mighty Mussels Operations Assistant
Stuart Hughes Team Ops 2018 Leesburg Talladega Superspeedway Special Events Account Executive
Bryce Koon Communications 2019 Winter Park Birmingham Barons Broadcast/Media Relations Assistant

 

COLLEGE STUDENTS! We are currently accepting applications for our 2024 internship positions

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