Surprise Opportunity

Today I got an email from the Worcester Sharks, an AHL affiliate of the San Jose Sharks, saying I have received an internship with them.  While I had applied to a communications internship a few months ago, I had interviewed earlier in the month about an Event Operations internship, but I had never heard word back from them.  I guess I will be working two internships this semester after all.

Last Day with the Philadelphia Union

My last day with the Union was also the night of the Holiday Party.  During the holiday party I got to MC the trivia competition, which was fun, but note to any future employers do not give someone a mic on their last day on the job, you never know what they will say.

Upon returning to my hotel after all my goodbyes I sent this letter to Leah Moore to send to the organization.


To the Union,

Some of you might know me as the as one of the interns in the annex, others as intern #2, others as they guy who sends you that Daily Clips email you delete daily, but most of you know me as the intern who played quiz master at this year’s holiday party.

The life of an intern is never easy, the days are long, you’re unsure of your abilities and the pay is well…  Then again the rewards of being an intern are priceless.  This time last year I decided to quit my career in accounting and finally follow the dreams of my inner 10 year old.  I joined the Union a 32 year old still trying to figure out what I wanted to do in my life.  I now leave a 33 year old with a much clearer path.

I cannot thank all of you enough for the opportunity to serve as one of your communications intern for the past three months.  I will never forget the experience as well as the kindness shown to me by each and every one of you whom I worked with in Chester.  The Union has built something special from the ground up and you all should be proud of what you have built.

To my fellow interns, your time with the Union is special.  The connections we make here can lead to long term friendships as well as future employment.  Make sure you take advantage of this opportunity.  Learn from everyone you can, do not be afraid to ask anyone a question about your goals.  It never hurts to ask.  It was a pleasure meeting all of you during our weekly meetings and seeing your ideas during your presentations.  Leah has done a great job in running the internship program and making us all feel like family, which was big for this homesick boy from Boston.

I move on to my next internship with the New England Revolution, but the Union will also have a place in my heart.  It will be a sad day when I retire my Union hat to my career hat rack.

“Saying goodbye, why is it sad?  Makes us remember the good times we’ve had.”

Thank you,

-Luke

Decision Made

After weighing both internship offers from the New England Revolution and the Boston Breakers I have made my choice.  I am going to be taking the internship with the Revolution.  Since I am already 10 years behind in my new career I need to use these internships to gain experience, but also to gain connections.  At both internships I would learn a lot, but the connections I could make working for the Revolution would be much better for my career.  Since the team is part of the Kraft Sports Group, which also owns the New England Patriots, I would be meeting people in many different areas of professional sports.  Also I have really enjoyed working in the MLS and would love to see how another team runs their communications department.

Tough Decisions

Today I got an offer from the New England Revolution to become a Communications Intern for the Spring semester.  The problem is I have already told the Boston Breakers I would be a Communications Intern for them during the same time.  When I originally interviewed with the Revolution I thought I would be able to do both since they were both part-time.  The problem is the Revolution will not allow me to intern with a team that is in the same sport and market, this means I need to make a choice between the two teams.

Union Teams Up to Feed for the Holidays: Union Joins Sixth Annual Toyota Food Drive on Dec. 14

The Philadelphia Union has joined forces with the Tri-State Toyota Dealers for the sixth annual Toyota Tundra Food Drive. 

The Union joins the Phillies, 76ers and Trenton Titans in supporting the month long food drive which concludes on Friday, Dec. 14.

A convoy of over 30 Toyota Tundra pickup trucks is scheduled to arrive at the Philabundance Hunger Relief Center around 10:00 a.m. to unload the nonperishable food items. 

Special guests scheduled to attend this event include the Philly Phanatic, Philadelphia Flyers legend Bob “The Hound” Kelly and select Union players.  In five years this event has collected over 60,000 pounds of nonperishable food for Philabundance. 

Joining efforts like these is part of the Philadelphia Union Foundation’s mission to provide opportunities for children through the power of relationships, offering change in education, community, health and recreation.

Philabundance reduces hunger in the Delaware Valley by providing food access to people in need via partnerships with various organizations and individuals.  They provide a full palate of services through neighborhood distribution programs and a network of close to 500 member agencies in nine counties.  Furthermore, Philabundance serves approximately 65,000 people per week at a cost of 50 cents per meal. 

For more information about Philabundance, visit www.philabundance.org or call (215) 339-0900.

MLB Winter Meetings

Just got back to Philadelphia after being at the MLB Winter Meetings for a few days.  It was a great experience.  I met with a lot of people and learned a lot about what to do to achieve my career goals.  The job postings were very limited in the area I was interested in, but thankfully I already have my next internship lined up.  While I am not sure what sport I will be working in in the future, I know events like these are important to meet new people and to experience sports in a more business like fashion.  During my time in Nashville I ran into my former boss in Nashua, Tim Bawmann who reminded me to visit him in Lowell upon my return to Massachusetts to pick up my 2012 FCBL Championship Ring.  I am excited to see the ring in persona and this one will always hold a special space in my heart since it marks the year I decided to change careers as well as my first stop in the process of working in professional sports.  I also got a chance to meet Peter Gammons, who was a delight and was more than willing to talk to an excited fan of his work as well as baseball.  We talked about some of the things the Red Sox are doing to try to make the 2013 a better season than their awful 2012 season.  Overall this was a week I will never forget.

Nashville

On my way to Nashville, TN for the PBEO Job Fair at the MLB Winter Meetings. While I have already accepted a communications internship with the Boston Breakers I just want to go to see the current openings. Also it is a good chance to network with possible future bosses. There are also some workshops, which I want to go to since I need to gain more skills if I want a career in communications.
Yesterday I interviewed with the New England Revolution. They are looking for a communications intern to work 2 to 3 days a week and game days. This means I can do both the Breakers and Revolution at the same time. It would be interesting to work for the MLS and the new women's pro soccer league at the same time.

Notre Dame wins BIG EAST Championship: Notre Dame Defeats Georgetown in Double Overtime Thriller

This weekend, PPL Park hosted the 2012 Big East men’s soccer championships. 

No. 7 Notre Dame came out on top winning, 3-2 in double overtime over No. 4 ranked Georgetown in Sunday's final.

PPL Park hosted the event due to the effects of Hurricane Sandy and its impact on Red Bull Arena, who was unavailable to host the event.

The Fighting Irish (16-3-1) took control of action early on in the game, but were unable to beat Georgetown (17-3-1) sophomore goalkeeper Tomas Gomez. Georgetown settled down and play evened out between the sides. In the 39th minute Hoyas senior Andy Riemer opened the scoring after he headed a cross from sophomore Tyler Rudy.

In the second half, Notre Dame senior Ryan Finely equalized when he finished a cross from junior Luke Mishu just inside the penalty area in the 51st minute. The game continued with good chances for both teams until the 82nd minute when senior Jimmy Nealis crossed it to Riemer to put Georgetown up, 2-1. In the 90th minute, Notre Dame sophomore Nick Besler scored via a pass from senior Danny O’Leary to send the game into overtime. The game remained tied until late in the second half of overtime when Notre Dame received a corner. This led to the game winning goal in the 109th minute on when Powers crossed the corner to Finley who put it into the back of the net to win the championship.

To get Sunday's championship match, Notre Dame knocked off top-seeded Connecticut, 1-0 in the nightcap after a goal from junior Alex Priede in the 11th minute secured a berth into the final.Also Friday night Georgetown defeated Marquette (16-3-1) 2-1 in overtime kickstarted by a goal from junior and Philadelphia Union season ticket holder Steve Neumann, who took a cross from Nealis and scored with 23 seconds remaining in the first half to put Georgetown ahead, 1-0.  Marquette tied the game in the 57th minute when junior Adam Lysak worked a perfect one-two ball with junior Bryan Ciesiulka and shot it just inside to penalty area.  The game remained tied until late in the second half of overtime when Georgetown received a corner.  Neumann took the corner, which found Tommy Muller (Senior) who headed it to Big East Rookie of the Year Brandon Allen (Freshman) who put it into the back of the net to give Georgetown the win and a trip to the final on Sunday.

While Marquette came up short in the thriller, Golden Eagles goalkeeper Charlie Lyon still raved the experience.

“To step into an MLS stadium...it's a place were we all want to be someday," Lyon said. It was something special.”

Marquette head coach Louis Bennett added, “It’s a great surface and a great stadium, it was great to have the event such a fantastic facility."

Georgetown’s Steve Neumann said “It was great, I actually have season tickets to the Philadelphia Union so I am used to being around the stadium. It’s just how I imagined it. 

College soccer returns to PPL Park in 2013, when Villanova University hosts 2013 Men’s College Cup on Dec. 13 and Dec. 15.

"We are thrilled to have been selected by the NCAA as the host institution for the 2013 College Cup," stated Villanova director of athletics Vince Nicastro in May. "PPL Park is the finest soccer facility of its kind in the nation and together we have forged a partnership with the leadership of the Philadelphia Union and the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau that will allow us to create a first class experience for the fans attending this outstanding event. This is an exciting opportunity for all of us in the Philadelphia region and we look forward to serving as host."

A Fulfilling Partnership: Union Pair with Independence Blue Cross Foundation to Thwart Childhood Illness

The Philadelphia Union is proud to be joining forces with the Independence Blue Cross Foundation.  During a press conference held at the People for People Charter School in Philadelphia, the Blue Cross Foundation announced the launching of the "Healthy Futures" initiative.  The initiative has three objectives which are “Eat Right”, “Get Fit” and “Stay Well”.  Also joining the Healthy Futures initiative is the Vetri Foundation for Children and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

The pilot program for the “Get Fit” objective will focus on children in the fourth grade in southeastern Pennsylvania.  The goal will be to improve awareness of the importance of fitness and physical activity as well as recognize and reward children who have achieved fitness and health goals.  One of the ways the Union plan to help with this initiative will be setting up soccer-related activities and exercise for the students both indoors and outdoors.  The Union will also be going into the classroom to speak to the students about the importance of physical activity at school as well as outside of school.

The “Eat Right” objective will implement an “Eatiquette” program at five local schools over the next two years.  This program has already had success at the People for People Charter School.  This program helps train schools on the preparation of nutritious meals for children in a family dining-style setting.  In addition, the objective will work to improve schools preventive health screening rates, which is aimed at reducing the days children miss school due to diabetes, asthma and unmanaged chronic illnesses

The Union is excited to join efforts like Healthy Futures to help reverse the childhood obesity epidemic.  We aspire to reach more children and help decrease their risks for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, strokes in addition to certain types of cancers and osteoarthritis. 

To learn more about "Healthy Futures," click here.

First Month Working in the MLS

When I arrived in Philadelphia I did not know what I was getting myself into.  I had no idea what to think about the MLS since I had not followed the league very closely since the late 90s.  The addition of David Beckham in 2007 seemed like a last gasp to me, but I have been proven wrong in my first month here.  I am a huge fan of soccer (international football), but I had always seen the MLS as a low level minor league.  The two teams I follow closely are FC Barcelona of La Liga and Hibernian FC of the Scottish Premiere League.  While Barca is one of the world's strongest teams and annually compete in the UEFA Champions League, Hibernian has been a near bottom of the table team most of the time I have been a supporter.  I have been lucky enough to see two games at Easter Road and ranked them as one of the top in-person game experiences in my life.  Now I have experienced the true MLS.  PPL Park is a wonderful venue to watch a match.  The new soccer specific stadium movement in the MLS I believe could lead to a great rebirth of the league.  Having 20,000 fans in a stadium that holds 20,000 make it extremely louder than 20,000 fans in a 60,000 seat stadium.  I am thankful I got the offer to work here in Philadelphia and more thankful I took the risk in accepting it.  This has been a great experience so far.

Living a Dream

Today I got to fulfill a dream I have had since I was a little kid.  When I was young my father used to say "Luke you should be the guy handing the play-by-play guy crazy stats".  Well today I was that guy.  I worked with Brad Feldman and Jeff Causey during their broadcast of the game between the New England Revolution and the Philadelphia Union.  They are the play-by-play team for Comcast Sports-New England.  This was an amazing experience, one that I even got to share with my father since he was watching the game at home.

First Day with the Philadelphia Union

Today is my first day with the Philadelphia Union and I am both excited but nervous.  While the MLS is not widely considered a major sport in the US, this is the big leagues.  I have only worked in the minors or amateur level before today.  This will be a big step up for me and I will have to be on my game when it comes to writing and other assignments.  The connections I make here, while not being near my hometown, could help me find a full-time position in the future.

For Nashua

Nashua, NH - In the nearly 75 year history of Holman Stadium there have been many great teams and great individual games, but tonight will stand out as the first championship celebration in Holman Stadium History.  For the first time ever a championship team won the clinching game here at Holman Stadium.  The 1946 and 1948 Nashua Dodgers won the Governor's Cup in Lynn, Massachusetts.  In 1947 the Nashua Dodgers won the Governor's Cup in Manchester, New Hampshire.  The 2000 Nashua Pride won the Atlantic League Championship in Bridgewater, New Jersey.  In 2007 the Nashua Pride won the CAN-AM League Championship in Lynn, Massachusetts.  Then the 2011 Nashua Silver Knights won the inaugural FCBL Championship in Torrington, Connecticut.  In 2012 the FCBL more than doubled in size and Nashua was not expected to repeat as champions due to the rosters of the other teams in the league.  When the managerial reigns were given to a son of Nashua, BJ Neverett, something special was in the air.  Tonight he was able to bring something even hall of fame manager Walter Alston was not able to do during his career with the Nashua Dodgers.

When Drew Weber, Tim Bawmann and Jon Goode created the Nashua Silver Knights their mission was to provide long-term and sustainable affordable family entertainment for the Greater Nashua community at Historic Holman Stadium through baseball.  While time will tell about the long-term success of the team one thing is certain, they have made a team Nashua can be proud to call their own.  Historic Holman Stadium's first championship celebration comes 39 days before its 75th birthday.  Our fans have been a big part of the team's success this season and it is evident in the Silver Knights home record of 24-4 (.857 winning percentage) this season here in Nashua.  This championship is for all of you fans reading this right now and hopefully some of you were there to experience Historic Holman Stadium's first championship celebration.  We hoped you enjoyed the 2012 FCBL Season as much as we did and we hope to see you next year when the Silver Knights try to become the first Nashua team to three peat since the Dodgers did it in 1946-1948.

I am an Uncle!!!

Today, Annabelle Susan McLaughlin was born.  I was sitting Fraser Field in Lynn, MA watching the Nashua Silver Knights play the Northshore Navigators when I got the text.  About 20 mins after receiving the text it started to downpour in Lynn and the interns for the Navigators did such a comical job at putting on the tarp that the game was called in the 6th inning with the Silver Knights winning 6-2 behind a great pitching performance by Nick Poore and some clutch hitting by Logan Gillis, James Katsiroubas and Sean Lyons.

A Gate City Great Continues Baseball Legacy at Historic Holman Stadium

Holman Stadium opened on Thursday September 23, 1937; it was paid for by funds from the federal government's Works Progress Administration (WPA) and money bequeathed by a local citizen, Charles Frank Holman.  He believed the stadium should benefit both present and future generations of citizens of the City of Nashua.  Over the years five professional teams have called Holman Stadium home.  This included farm teams for the Brooklyn Dodgers, California Angels and Pittsburgh Pirates.  After the Nashua Pirates departed, two different non-affiliated teams became the tenants at Holman Stadium.  While professional teams have come and gone, the constant has been amateur baseball.

Holman Stadium has been around for 75 years and hosted Rivier College, Nashua High School (North after the split), Bishop Guertin High School, Babe Ruth Leagues, American Legion, AAU Games and numerous other amateur baseball teams.  The newest residents of Holman Stadium are following in this great tradion.  Nashua resident Tim Bawmann, President of the Lowell Spinners (a class A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox) and Jon Goode, Vice President of the Lowell Spinners, convinced their boss Drew Weber, owner of the Lowell Spinners, to bring a new team to Nashua’s Holman Stadium.  This led to the creation of the Nashua Silver Knights, a founding member of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League of New England (FCBL).  When the new team was announced this group made a commitment to the City of Nashua to showcase local talent.

Growing up in Nashua, Silver Knights manager BJ Neverett watched some of the professional teams come and go over the years.  He remembers his first visit to Holman Stadium was during the 1960s where he watched a local high school baseball team.  When he got older, he played both baseball and football at Holman Stadium for Nashua High School.  “When I played football our locker room is the same one our team will be using this year”.  Once his playing days were over, he became a teacher and coach in the Nashua school district.  He coached the junior varsity baseball team for nine years, and in 1995 he was named the successor to Charlie Mellen as Head Coach of the Nashua High School varsity baseball team.  Nashua High School had won the 1995 New Hampshire State Championship and Mellen was leaving as a champion.

In 2005, Nashua High School was split into two schools and Coach Neverett became Head Coach of Nashua High School South baseball team.  In the season before the split he believes he and his team let a state championship slip through their fingers, and now with the team divided he was not sure how the 2005 season would fare.  This season, however, would be his most rewarding one of his career.  He remembers, “We won 19 in a row, those kids were great, after the split, a season like this came out of nowhere”.  The season ended with his second state championship.

In 2011, after stepping down as Nashua South’s Coach, BJ became the Assistant Coach for the inaugural season of the Nashua Silver Knights.  Under the leadership of Silver Knights Manager Mike Chambers, BJ Neverett learned how to handle college players who were already prepared to play, but also wanted to have fun during their summers off campus.  Mike Chambers says, “We had different styles of coaching and we learned together during the season.  Sometimes we would go with his ideas and sometimes mine.  We coached as a unit even though I was the manager, that’s the way I like to run a team”.  During the season Neverett noticed a difference in the way the games were being presented to fans.

“Our games at Holman Stadium were nothing like the games in the other three stadiums.  I watched Jon Goode ride around in a go-kart; it was like nothing I had seen before.  These guys in Lowell really know how to entertain the fans.”

           

            At the end of the 2011 season Coach Neverett was a champion again, “The championship last year is right under the 2005 State Championship, when it comes to my most rewarding moment.  We meshed as a team and had a lot of fun during the season”.  With renewed energy Coach Neverett was excited to return to Holman Stadium as an assistant coach, but when Mike Chambers accepted a full time roll with Franklin Pierce, he stepped down as Manager and Coach Neverett was the obvious choice to be his replacement.  The ownership group’s commitment to the City of Nashua to showcase local talent now extends to the position of Manager.

            The 2012 season will mark BJ Neverett’s first season as Silver Knights Manager, and his 30th season coaching in and around the City of Nashua.  We here at the Silver Knights are lucky to call Holman Stadium our home, and even luckier to have a homegrown manager the likes of BJ Neverett.

-2012 Nashua Silver Knights Souvenir Program

Four Silver Knights Play in First Ever Game at jetBlue Park vs. the Boston Red Sox

            Northeastern University is accustomed to being a part of Red Sox history since the university currently stands where the Hunting Avenue Grounds once stood.  This was the original home of the Boston Americans, who in 1908 changed their name to the Boston Red Sox.  On October 1, 1903 Cy Young took the mound of the Huntington Avenue Grounds in front of 16,242 Royal Rooters (the original fan club of Boston’s professional baseball team) and threw the first pitch in World Series history.  On the 90th anniversary of this event Northeastern University erected the statue shown here to mark the spot of this pitch.  Also, inside Northeastern University’s Godfrey Lowell Cabot Physical Education Center you can see memeorabilia from the 1901 to 1911 Red Sox teams, including newspaper reporting the first modern-day (third overall) perfect game in baseball history pitched by Cy Young on May 5, 1904.

            Earlier this year Northeastern University took part in Red Sox history once again by being the first visitors to JetBlue Park at Fenway South, to play a preseason game against the Boston Red Sox.  Four members of that Huskies team are also members of your 2012 Nashua Silver knights.  They include a pair of catchers John Puttress (New Providence, New Jersey) and Josh Treff (Salem, New Hampshire), and they are joined by Sean and Conner Lyons of Bedford, New Hampshire.  After hitting a home run into the right field bullpen during batting practice before the game Sean said “Seeing their [the Red Sox] BP up-close you learn a lot, how quick their hands are and how effortless their swings are and they hit the ball 450 feet, it’s unbelievable.”

            Playing against the Red Sox is an experience these guys will never forget, “It’s really unbelievable, seeing these guys and being in front of them,” Connor says, “you really don’t know what to think at first.  You’re kind of nervous, but excited at the same time.  You just want to get out there and play.”

            John Puttress and Sean Lyons are returning to the Nashua Silver Knights after their 2011 FCBL championship season.  This year for the Huskies, Puttress has started nearly every game and batted well over .300 as a junior.  Sean on the other hand, has transitioned into being primarily a relief pitcher this season after splitting duties on the mound and outfield in 2011.  He has 10 appearances this season with batters hitting a paltry .182 against him.

            New to the Nashua Silver Knights this season are Josh Treff and Connor Lyons.  Josh entered his freshman year with the Huskies after a stellar career at Salem High School.  He was selected to the first team all-state his junior and senior years as well as being named the New Hampshire D1 Coaches Player of the Year as a senior.  Connor led Northeastern University in hitting his freshman year with a .356 avg, and commanded great range in center field, with his Ellsbury-esque speed, timing, and ability to read the ball right off the bat.

            Together this quartet is ready to make a little more history at Holman Stadium and help the Nashua Silver Knights on their quest to repeat as FCBL Champions.  And who knows, maybe one of these guys will be on the other side of the Red Sox vs. Huskies preseason game some day.

-2012 Nashua Silver Knights Souvenir Program

I'm done

I am quitting my job today.  I feel bad telling my boss Chris, but besides that I am excited about this decision.  I have been miserable at work, every day I come home from work and bitch about the way the company is heading.  My new boss does not want me to grow as a professional he wants to keep me in my place and make sure I do all the work no one else wants to do.  I don't think he even realizes how much I do here.  I created the Accounts Payable department from scratch.  On my first day I needed to contact a vendor to create our check stock since no one had even thought about it.  David will learn when I am gone how much I did, but that will not be my problem.  When Chris hired me he looked at my resume and noticed I had not stayed at one job for over 2 years yet in my career.  I told Chris during that interview I was ready to settle down and I was ready to stay the long haul with my next position.  I guess I was wrong, but at the time it was true.  I have been here for 18 months and the department I was hired to create is created and now it's someone else's job to see it through the next phase because no matter how much I try I am not being supported by the power that be.  I know Chris is unhappy at his position too, but unlike me he needs this job, he has 3 kids and two houses to pay for. I am lucky in that area since I am single and have very little debt.  I hope Chris understands.