Week 1: Introduction

Me and my dad at my first Mets game on July 12, 2008 at Shea Stadium. (Photo by my family)

Yup, that’s me.

You’re probably wondering why you’re looking at an old picture of me and my dad at Shea Stadium… so let me walk you down memory lane.

That was my first experience with baseball. July 12, 2008. I was 5, wanted no part of it, and apparently didn’t even own a Mets shirt. Do I remember it? Not at all. But I look back at that photo a lot, as it’s the beginning of my love for the game of baseball before I even knew it.

In the years between 2008 and 2021, I spent a lot more time at Citi Field (the Mets’ new home) – learning more about the game, cheering for my favorite team, and immersing myself in information about MLB players, stats, and anything else you can imagine. As I got older, everyone always told me I should consider working in baseball – most memorably, my dentist, who encouraged me to take my knowledge and enthusiasm beyond small talk at every visit – but I never really thought it was possible until I got to college.

I began my time at Quinnipiac University as a Communications/Media Studies major, but quickly added my second major in Graphic & Interactive Design to satisfy my hunger for creativity. Taking classes in both of my majors made me realize that I could use my passion to make an impact on the game that’s made such a big impact on me.

In my first graphic design class, I made an infographic of Jacob DeGrom’s career accomplishments. Now, while it’s not the best piece I’ve ever made, it holds deep significance to me. Turning my understanding of the game into a piece of art was something I really enjoyed. And don’t get me started on how exciting it was to include the little details, like the jerseys from each All-Star Game he’s been a part of.

The infographic I designed of Jacob DeGrom’s career accomplishments from 2014-2021.

Last spring, in Motion Graphics, I created an animated timeline of Mets history and used my new skills to make one of my favorite pieces to date – a gif of Shea Stadium’s iconic neons. The way I could take something so beloved and bring it to life once again fueled my love for design and passion for the game.

Illustration & gif of Shea Stadium’s iconic neons that I designed in my Motion Graphics class.

That same semester, I took a Sports Public Relations class, where I worked on a year-long public relations plan for the Hartford Wolf Pack. I did everything from creating promotional materials to conducting research, and even designing the final campaign booklet. This project made me realize that there are so many opportunities in sports communications beyond just social media and graphic design – and that’s how the idea for this blog came to be.

I decided to create a resource for students like myself, hoping to enter the sports industry after graduation, and for students with similar aspirations in years to come. Over the next four weeks, I’ll be sharing the stories of several Quinnipiac University alumni who have communications roles in baseball. They’ll discuss their journeys from college to the big leagues, recommend actions to take as a young professional, and share some advice for students like you and me. I hope this blog can inspire even one person to start networking, building connections, or just working towards their goals in any capacity.

I’m so excited to introduce you to four incredible people, and I’ll begin doing that next week with the first profile! Come back every Sunday for my next post and follow my social media for more frequent updates.

I’d love to connect and hear feedback on the blog, so connect with me on LinkedIn or follow the blog on Instagram to start a conversation!

Our journey to the big leagues begins now, so I’ll see you right back here next week!