Former Interns Find Success in Sports Industry
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