PRESS RELEASE – With recent news of playing the USA Baseball Collegiate Team, the final season at Historic Capital City Stadium, and today’s announcement of Fireworks Shows for every Friday and Saturday home game, the Blowfish have one more piece of exciting news: Bill Shanahan, Owner/President has promoted Asst. GM Kelly Evans to be the new General Manager of the Columbia Blowfish Baseball Club.
“Kelly has done an outstanding job for the Blowfish since beginning as a South Carolina Sports Management intern in 2008. Kelly has earned this promotion as she has continued to develop her management skills overseeing the day to day operations. We look forward to her continued growth and leadership skills with the Blowfish,” said Bill Shanahan.
Once the internship concluded in 2008, Evans was hired as the Office Manager for the following two years overseeing administrative duties. She has been highly involved with the Blowfish and the Coastal Plain League since day one.
“We are elated to hear this news regarding Kelly being named the General Manager of the Blowfish,” said CPL commissioner Justin Sellers. “Kelly has been a constant in Columbia and in the CPL over the years and has done an excellent job with overseeing the Blowfish operation. This is a tremendous honor for Kelly and we look forward to great things out of her and the organization.”
Evans is ready to take on this new position and leave her mark on the Blowfish Organization. “I am honored to be named the new GM of the Blowfish. The opportunities that lay ahead for the Blowfish are extremely exciting and I’m ready to get to work. I have had great mentors in the League Office, Bill Shanahan and especially Skip Anderson, who provided this opportunity as an intern in 2008. They have all helped me grow professionally and personally and I am blessed to have great direction in this competitive industry. This Blowfish family and community are a fantastic group of people and I’m ready to contribute and give back to all those who believe in this team.”
Evans graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor’s of Science in Sport and Entertainment Management in 2010. In the fall of 2013, she decided to continue her education and enrolled in the USC SPTE Graduate Program and is expected to graduate with her Masters in December.
“My main responsibilities will include running the day-to-day operations for the Blowfish and managing the USC SPTE Internship Program. One of my goals is to get more involved through the community and really get people excited about Blowfish Baseball. We have some great community programs in place, like the Reading Rewards Program and the current book drive benefiting the Lexington County Public Library. One of our newest community programs involves Non-Profit organizations. The goal is to recognize at least one non-profit organization at every Blowfish home game. In addition, we’re also involved in getting our mascot, Blowie, to as many community-related events like parades and community festivals, Dixie Youth and little league games, as possible. ”
Opening Night for the Blowfish Baseball Club is May 28th vs. the Gastonia Grizzlies with first pitch set for 7:05 PM – gates open at 6:00 PM. It Discount Beverage Night from 6-8PM. For tickets please call 803-254-FISH or visit http://www.blowfishbaseball.com.
The Blowfish enter their 8th year in the Coastal Plain League. The CPL is the nation’s hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 18th season in 2014, the CPL features 14 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The CPL gives college players the chance to refine their skills with the use of wooden bats. Players are housed with local host families for the summer and past experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts. The CPL has had nearly 1,200 alumni drafted and 67 of those – including 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young winner Justin Verlander.
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