Address
The Diamond
3001 N Arthur Ashe Boulevard
Richmond, VA 23230
Contact Info
Phone: 804-359-FUNN (3866)
Fax: 804-359-1373
Email: [email protected]
Quick Hitters
Hometown: Lewistown, Pa.
Alma Mater: Liberty University
Years with the Flying Squirrels: 17 (2009-present)
Past Organizations in MiLB: Altoona Curve, State College Spikes, Myrtle Beach Pelicans
A charter member of the Flying Squirrels front office, Ben Rothrock is in his seventh full season as the team's General Manager and his 25th overall in Minor League Baseball.
Upon joining Richmond in 2010, Ben oversaw the Squirrels Nest Team Store and helped build the Flying Squirrels into one of the top-selling brands in all of Minor League Baseball. In 2011, Ben took over the reins of the Food & Beverage operation while overseeing the Merchandise Department. Then, after serving as Assistant General Manager of Operations for three seasons and guiding the Flying Squirrels through various ballpark renovations and enhancements, he earned the role of General Manager during the 2017 season. Rothrock became the Flying Squirrels' Vice President in 2020 and the Chief Operating Officer in 2023. His career in baseball began as an intern with the Altoona Curve, where he later worked as the Director of Merchandise. He also previously worked as the Director of Merchandise for the State College Spikes and Myrtle Beach Pelicans prior to joining the staff in RVA.
The Lewistown, Pa., native is a graduate of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., where he received a B.S. in Sport Management and a minor in Business Management while playing linebacker on the Flames' football team.
Quick Hitters
Hometown: Hartford, Conn.
Alma Mater: William & Mary
Years in Minor League Baseball: 18
Years with the Flying Squirrels: 11 (2010-2013, 2018-present)
Past organizations in MiLB: Richmond Braves, Potomac Nationals
FUNN Facts
Walk-up song: Beastie Boys - "Sabotage"
Favorite movie: The Star Wars Universe
Favorite TV show: The Walking Dead
Favorite vacation spot: Terry family house on the CT shore
Hot take: How can you be discombobulated if you cannot first be combobulated?
Favorite Flying Squirrels memory: Winning the 2013 staff corn-hole tournament and getting to throw out a First Pitch on July 4th... which I threw underhand like a corn-hole bag
Best sports memory: As a Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics and UConn fan...how can I possible be asked to whittle it down to one? 😉
Favorite food: sandwiches & Oreos
Favorite musical artist: Any live music
Best concert: Dave & Tim
Longest road trip: Spent 26 days backpacking through Europe after college
Spirit animal: Golden Retriever
Greatest athletic achievement: I can catch $5 in quarters off my elbow
Craziest thing you ever done: Canyoning in Switzerland
BT continues his second stint with the Richmond Flying Squirrels (tenth season overall) and enters his 18th year in Minor League Baseball. He was a member of the Squirrels' original staff in 2009, serving as the Director of Corporate Sales. Prior to that, he spent seven seasons with the Richmond Braves (Triple-A, Atlanta Braves) and one season as the Assistant General Manager of the Potomac Nationals (Single-A, Washington Nationals). BT spent a few years away from baseball serving as a development officer for the RVA-based non-profit World Pediatric Project. The former elementary school trombonist currently resides in Glen Allen, Va., with his wife, daughters and their dog, Rosie.
Quick Hitters
Hometown: La Grange, Texas
Alma Mater: Texas Christian University
Years in Minor League Baseball: 15
Years with the Flying Squirrels: 10 (2010-2012, 2017-2021, 2023-pres.)
Past organizations in MiLB: Reading Fightin' Phils/Phillies, Potomac Nationals, Daytona Cubs
FUNN Facts
Walk-up song: Danny McCarthy - Silver Scrapes (as heard on ESPN College GameDay)
Favorite TV show: The Office
Favorite movie: Office Space
Spirit animal: Buffalo, free to roam
Do you play an instrument: Alto saxophone
Anthony Oppermann is in his 10th year with the Flying Squirrels and his first on his third stint with the organization. Anthony currently serves as Chief Marketing Officer after previously serving as Assistant General Manager from 2022-2023, Executive Director of Marketing & Promotions from 2017-2021 and Director of Media from 2010 to 2012. An original radio voice of the Squirrels, the noted necktie enthusiast was also The Diamond's public address announcer in 2019. His baseball career has also included stints with the Daytona Cubs (Single-A - Chicago Cubs), Potomac Nationals (Single-A - Washington Nationals) and Reading Fightin Phils (Double-A - Philadelphia Phillies). The La Grange, Texas native returned to RVA in 2017 after working as a sports copy editor with the Galveston County Daily News where he was the publication's lead sports designer, covered high school and college athletics, wrote a weekly column and was a member of the editorial board. Anthony and his wife, Bree, reside in Glen Allen.
Quick Hitters
Hometown: Locust, North Carolina
Alma Mater: Messiah College
Years in Minor League Baseball: 35
Years with the Flying Squirrels: 17 (2009-present)
Past organizations in MiLB: Reading Phillies, Piedmont Boll Weevils/Kannapolis Intimidators, Altoona Curve, State College Spikes, Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Todd "Parney" Parnell serves as a senior advisor for the Richmond Flying Squirrels.
Thanks to his continued passion and dedication to the Richmond area, the Flying Squirrels brand has become synonymous with community involvement. Under his guidance, the Flying Squirrels have consistently been among the top of the Eastern League in both average and overall attendance during all ten years of existence, including leading the Eastern League in average attendance in 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018 and 2019 and in overall attendance in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2022. For the first time in franchise history, the Flying Squirrels led all 30 Double-A clubs in total and average attendance in 2022.
The Squirrels' sustained success has been repeatedly acknowledged by the industry, recently by being nominated for Minor League Baseball's prestigious John H. Johnson President's Award in 2017 and 2019. The Squirrels were also nominated for the 2016 John Henry Moss Community Service Award, and received Baseball America's annual Bob Freitas Award - presented to the best organization at every classification of Minor League Baseball - in 2015. In 2022, the Flying Squirrels were awarded Minor League Baseball's Community Champion Award.
Parney is one of the most recognizable names and faces in Minor League Baseball. He is a three-time Eastern League Executive of the Year, earning the honor with Richmond in 2013 and 2019, and previously in 2004 while serving as the General Manager of the Altoona Curve. His recognition in 2013 marked the second Eastern League Executive of the Year award for the Squirrels' front office since the team's inception in 2010 (Chuck Domino - 2010).
After leading the Flying Squirrels to the 2010 Eastern League overall attendance title, Parney and the Squirrels saw an increase in average attendance during the 2011 regular season and were easily the top-draw during the 2011 Eastern League Postseason. For his efforts, and due to the team's success on and off the field, Parney was honored following the season with Baseball America's "Minor League Executive of the Year" award. He became the second member of the Flying Squirrels front office to earn the recognition, following Chuck Domino, who won the award in 2003 while with the Reading Phillies.
Parney followed his award-winning season in 2011 by guiding the franchise to its second Eastern League title in overall attendance in 2012, the organization's second overall attendance title in three years. With his leadership, the franchise completed a $1.5-million renovation of The Diamond, the home of the Flying Squirrels since their inception in 2010. During their inaugural season, the club quickly established itself as a leader in the community, while surpassing corporate and ticket sales expectations.
With Parney at the helm, the Flying Squirrels led the Eastern League in both overall and average attendance in 2010, welcoming 463,842 (6,626 per game) fans to The Diamond. Through innovative marketing and branding initiatives, the club posted record-breaking merchandise sales, and was awarded the "Logo of the Year" award by Ballpark Digest. Upon the completion of their inaugural season, the franchise was recognized as the Richmond "Business of the Year" by the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce (GRCC). Parney also currently serves on the Richmond Chapter of the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation Board of Trustees, on the Richmond Police Athletic League Board of Directors and on the Board of Directors for the Mascot Hall of Fame.
Due to his exuberant nature and wealth of experience in professional sports, Parney has also become one of the most popular speakers and guest lecturers in the region. Prior to joining the effort to return baseball to Richmond, Parney served as the President of the Greenberg Sports Group (GSG), which provides management, consulting and marketing services to the sports industry across the country. GSG also manages the overall operations of Minor League Baseball's State College (PA) Spikes (Short-A/New York-Penn League) and Myrtle Beach (SC) Pelicans (A/Carolina League). Parney has previously been the president of both franchises.
In addition to his roles with both the State College and Myrtle Beach franchises, he spent seven seasons (2002-08) as the General Manager of the Double-A Eastern League's Altoona Curve. During his time as the Curve's General Manager, the club set numerous single-game and season attendance records, continually re-invested private money into capital improvement projects at Blair County Ballpark, and helped the franchise gain national stature as one of the most creative and innovative teams in professional sports. The Curve won the prestigious Larry MacPhail Promotional Award in 2004, the 2006 Baseball America Bob Freitas Award as the top Double-A franchise and received the John H. Johnson President's Trophy - the highest honor annually bestowed on a Minor League organization - in 2006. Altoona became only the 11th franchise to receive all three major awards, and was the first team to accomplish the feat in less than three years.
Prior to joining the Curve, the North Carolina native was the Vice President and GM of the Single-A Kannapolis (NC) Intimidators (formerly the Piedmont Boll Weevils) in the South Atlantic League from 1997 to 2001. During his tenure in Kannapolis, the club set either overall or average attendance records in each of his first four seasons. For his efforts, Parnell was named the 1999 South Atlantic League "General Manager of the Year."
Parney graduated from Messiah College in 1988 with a degree in physical education and a minor in business. He has three daughters, Lindsay (28) and Samantha (25) and Madison (21). Parney resides in Richmond with his wife, Tonia.
FUNN Facts
Walk-up song: "Whatta Man" by Salt-N-Pepa
Favorite movie: Draft Day
Favorite TV show: The Andy Griffith Show
Favorite vacation spot: Sandbridge, Virginia
Hot take: In Every Difficult Situation is Value.
Favorite Flying Squirrels memory: Opening Night 2010 and clinching playoffs 2022
Best sports memory: 1993 and 2008 World Series trips with my dad, 2014 World Series trip with daughter Sammy
Favorite food: Steak plus red wine
Favorite musical artist: Reckless Kelly
Best concert: Jonas Brothers
Longest road trip: Driggs, Idaho
Spirit animal: Giraffe because I like sticking my neck out for others
Greatest athletic achievement: Not getting fired in MiLB (yet...)
Craziest thing you ever done: Too many to count
Quick Hitters
Hometown: Wausau, Wisconsin
Alma Mater: University of Wisconsin - Stout
Years in Minor League Baseball: 14
Years with the Flying Squirrels: 14 (2009-present)
FUNN Facts
Walk-up song: George Michael - Gotta Have Faith
Favorite movie: Almost Famous
Favorite Food: Pizza!
Hot Take: Why is a round pizza put in a square box to be eaten in triangles?
An original member of the Flying Squirrels' staff, Faith Casey-Harris enters her 14th season with the organization. After growing up right in the middle of Wisconsin (literally), Faith understandably moved to much sunnier Florida shortly after graduating from University of Wisconsin - Stout, where she worked in accounting and financial planning & investments for 20 years. A mother of three, Faith doubled the size of her family after moving to Richmond when she married Tom, who also had three children. Now with six children -- Noah, Evan, Andrew, Ryan, Chloe and Kristen -- Faith and Tom love their life of "Cheaper by the Half-Dozen." During their free time, they can be found enjoying the many breweries and concerts RVA has to offer.
Quick Hitters
Hometown: Richmond, VA
Years in Minor League Baseball: 6
Years with the Flying Squirrels: 6
Past organizations in MiLB/sports:
FUNN Facts
Favorite vacation spot: Aruba
Favorite Flying Squirrels memory: Squirrels making it to the 2022 playoffs!
Spirit animal: DOG!!
Greatest athletic achievement: Ran 3 Marathons
Craziest thing you ever done: Ran 3 Marathons
Quick Hitters
Hometown: Robbinsville, New Jersey
Alma Mater: Virginia State University
Years in Minor League Baseball: 3
Years with the Flying Squirrels: 3
FUNN Facts
Walk-up song: My Life - Mary J Blidge
Favorite movie: Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkskins
Favortie TV show: The Wire
Favorite Vacation Spot: Saint Maarten
Hot Take: Dez Caught it
Favortite FS memory: Clinching the playoffs
Best sports Memory: Freshman High school basketball
Favorite food: Chicken
Best Concert: Future and Migos tour
Longest Road Trip: NJ to Tennessee
Favorite Musical Artist: Meek Mill
Spirt Animal: Lion
Quick Hitters
Hometown: Grand Junction, Colorado
Alma Mater: Arizona State University
Years in Minor League Baseball: 4
Years with the Flying Squirrels: 3
Past organizations in MiLB/sports: Boise Hawks (2019)
FUNN Facts
Walk-up song: Midnight Train to Memphis by Chris Stapleton
Favorite movie: Field of Dreams
Favorite TV show: The Sopranos
Favorite vacation spot: The Colorado Mountains
Hot take: Emailing is just fancier texting
Favorite Flying Squirrels memory: Clinching the Eastern League Southwest Division First-Half championship in 2022
Favorite food: Steak or anything free
Favorite musical artist: Chris Stapleton
Greatest athletic achievement: Surviving an indoor soccer game
Quick Hitters
Hometown: Saginaw, Mich.
Alma Mater: Ferris State University
Years in Minor League Baseball: 11
Years with the Flying Squirrels: 10 (2014-present)
Past organizations in MiLB: Binghamton Mets
FUNN Facts
Walk-up song: Creedence Clearwater Revival - Bad Moon Rising
Favorite former Squirrels player: Angel Villalona
Spirit animal: Brown bear, according to an online survey I took
Greatest athletic achievement: Scored 15 points in a quarter during the 8th-graders vs. Teachers basketball game
Hot take: Cheez-Its are gross.
Garrett Erwin is in his 10th season with the Richmond Flying Squirrels and 11th year in Minor League Baseball. The Ferris State graduate began his career as an Operations Assistant at the Bulldogs' hockey arena before spending a year with the Binghamton Mets (Double-A - New York Mets) as a Group Sales Associate. Away from The Diamond, you can find Garrett focusing in on daily fantasy sports, playing with his "phat cat" Benji and mastering his favorite instrument, the triangle.
Quick Hitters
Hometown: Quitman, MS
Alma Mater: Mississippi State University
Years in Minor League Baseball: 6
Years with the Flying Squirrels: 3
Past organizations in MiLB: Pensacola Blue Wahoos, Nashville Sounds
FUNN Facts
Favorite Movie: Step Brothers
Favorite Vacation Spot: Gatlinburg, TN
Favorite TV Show: The Office
Spirit Animal: Golden Retriever
Best Sports Memory: Mississippi State Baseball National Championship 2021, Cubs World Series 2016, Saints Super Bowl 2009
Favorite Food: Mamaw’s roast and mashed potatoes
Favorite Musical Artists: Tom Petty, Jimmy Buffett, Dave Matthews Band
Best Concert: Jimmy Buffett at Wrigley Field
Longest Road Trip: Starkville, MS to College Station, TX……..as the DD
Greatest Athletic Achievement: Scored 3 TD’s in an intramural flag football game (D1 Athlete)
Quick Hitters
Hometown: Alexandria, VA
Alma Mater: Lynchburg College
Years in Minor League Baseball: 5
Years with the Flying Squirrels: 4
Past organizations in MiLB/sports: Salem Red Sox, Vermont Lake Monsters
FUNN Facts
Walk-up song: "Readymade" by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Favorite movie: WALL-E
Favorite TV show: The Office
Favorite Flying Squirrels memory: Making the Playoffs in 2022
Best sports memory: Watching an Arsenal match at The Emirates Stadium for the first time
Favorite musical artist: Penny & Sparrow
Greatest athletic achievement: Scoring the game winning goal at summer camp to win my team Slurpees
Quick Hitters
Hometown: Richmond, VA
Alma Mater: Temple University
Years in Minor League Baseball: 2
Years with the Flying Squirrels: 2
FUNN Facts
Walk-up song: Tom Sawyer (Rush)
Favorite movie: Dazed and Confused
Favorite TV show: Breaking Bad
Favorite vacation spot: The coolest place I've ever been to is Lucern, Switzerland.
Hot take: Chipotle is not as good as everyone thinks it is. Also, Which Which is the best sub chain.
Favorite Flying Squirrels memory: Clinching a playoff birth in '22
Best sports memory: The Celtics winning the championship in '08 against Kobe and The Lakers
Favorite food: A perfectly cooked steak with mashed potatoes on the side.
Favorite musical artist: Van Halen (David Lee Roth era only)
Best concert: Dead and Company in Philadelphia, '21
Longest road trip: RVA to Florida
Spirit animal: Something like a Deer or a Moose probably
Quick Hitters
Hometown: Columbia, South Carolina
Alma Mater: University of South Carolina
Years in MiLB: 2
Years with RFS: 2
FUNN Facts
Walk-up song: "Check" by Young Thug
Favorite movie: Interstellar
Favorite TV show: The Office or Peaky Blinders, I can’t choose
Favorite vacation spot: London
Hot take: If the plane was going down and the pilots were unconscious, I’d land that plane AND Jar Jar Binks is a Sith Lord
Favorite Flying Squirrels memory: Clinching the first-half championship and playoff berth in 2022
Best sports memory: Chelsea winning the Champions League in 2012
Favorite food: Mom’s spaghetti
Favorite musical artist: A$AP Rocky
Best concert: Rebelution in Charleston, SC
Longest road trip: 9 hours from Columbia to Gettysburg
Spirit animal: Fighting Gamecock
Greatest athletic achievement: Joining the mighty Kixx and Giggles FC
Craziest thing you ever done: Jumped out of an airplane. Hiked to the top of Half Dome in Yosemite.
Quick Hitters
Hometown: Portsmouth, Va.
Alma Mater: Bluefield University
Years in Minor League Baseball: 15
Years with the Flying Squirrels: 7 (2019-present)
Past organizations in MiLB/Sports: Altoona Curve, Lansing Lugnuts, Bluefield Blue Jays, Bluefield University Athletics
FUNN Facts
Favorite movie: Bull Durham
Favorite vacation spot: Outer Banks, N.C.
Hot take: The Earth is round
Favorite TV show(s)? Any of those NBC sitcoms from 2005-2010
Favorite Flying Squirrels memory: Calling my first game as Richmond's lead broadcaster on Opening Night in 2019
Best sports memory: Calling the Altoona Curve's 2017 Eastern League championship win (let's bring one to Richmond to replace this on the list!)
Favorite food: Burgers & BBQ
Favorite musical artists: The Avett Brothers, Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit, Tyler Childers, Sturgill Simpson
Best concert: I've been to more than 200, so there's no way to narrow that list down to just one
Longest road trip: Drove from Altoona, Pa. to Portsmouth, Va., then to Roanoke, Va., then to Shreveport, La., watched Frank Beamer coach his final game, then drove to Memphis, Tenn. and watched Kobe and the Lakers play the Grizzlies, then back to Virginia and up to Pennsylvania (Totaled about 3,200 miles over a few days) ... Nearly passed that mark in 2022, hitting all 16 east coast states over about a week-and-a-half stretch (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida).
Trey Wilson is in his seventh year as the Director of Communications and Broadcasting after serving in a similar capacity with the Altoona Curve (Double-A - Pittsburgh Pirates) from 2015-2018. Trey can be heard all season long on the new Sports Radio 910 The Fan as the "Voice of the Flying Squirrels," broadcasting play-by-play for every game throughout the season. The Bluefield University graduate began his career in Minor League Baseball with the Bluefield Blue Jays (Rookie - Toronto Blue Jays) and joined the Lansing Lugnuts (Single-A - Toronto Blue Jays) as the Media Relations and Broadcasting Assistant for the 2014 season prior to his four-year stint with the Curve. A Portsmouth, Va., native, he currently resides in Goochland, Va. When he's not calling games or enjoying a concert, Trey enjoys playing guitar, traveling and searching for the best burger or BBQ in the area (any and all food recommendations are welcome).
Quick Hitters
Hometown: Grand Junction, Colorado
Alma Mater: Arizona State University
Years in Minor League Baseball: 4
Years with the Flying Squirrels: 3
Past organizations in MiLB/sports: Boise Hawks (2019)
FUNN Facts
Walk-up song: Midnight Train to Memphis by Chris Stapleton
Favorite movie: Field of Dreams
Favorite TV show: The Sopranos
Favorite vacation spot: The Colorado Mountains
Hot take: Emailing is just fancier texting
Favorite Flying Squirrels memory: Clinching the Eastern League Southwest Division First-Half championship in 2022
Favorite food: Steak or anything free
Favorite musical artist: Chris Stapleton
Greatest athletic achievement: Surviving an indoor soccer game
Quick Hitters
Hometown: Delaware County, Pennsylvania
Alma Mater: Texas Tech University (Wreck ‘em!) and the University of Exeter
Years in Minor League Baseball: 2… and a bit
Years with the Flying Squirrels: 2
Past organizations in MiLB/sports: Peoria Chiefs
FUNN Facts
Walk-up song: "El Sonidito" by Hechizeros Band
Favorite movie: The Sandlot
Favorite vacation spot: Southwest England
Favorite Flying Squirrels memory: 2022 Eastern League First Half clinch and subsequent celebration
Best sports memory: Going to the 2019 Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Weekend with my dad
Favorite food: Grotto pizza, beach fries with wiz and a cold Yeungling
Longest road trip: The 26-hour drive from Philadelphia to Lubbock is no joke
Spirit animal: A hedgehog
Greatest athletic achievement: I caught an interception at my fifth-grade girls vs. boys football game
Craziest thing you ever done: I drove five hours at 4 a.m. to ride a bull (a real one)
Sam McCloskey is in her second season with the Richmond Flying Squirrels as the Marketing and Social Media Manager. The Delco native grew up swimming and playing/coaching volleyball while running as a volunteer firefighter. From Philadelphia, to Texas, to Illinois, to England, to RVA, Sam is always down to hit the road in search of her next adventure. When she’s not at The Diamond or cheering on her favorite teams in Philadelphia, Gritty’s biggest fan can be found enjoying a cold Sonic drink near any body of water.
Quick Hitters
Hometown: Richmond, Va.
Alma Mater: Virginia Commonwealth University (GO RAMS GO!)
Years in Minor League Baseball: 7
Years with the Flying Squirrels: 7 (2016-present)
FUNN Facts
Walk-up song: "Gimme Gimme Gimme" by ABBA
Favorite TV show: It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Favorite vacation spot: OBX
Hot take: Cat people are nicer than dog people
Favorite Flying Squirrels memory: Playoff Clinch 2022 and just the 2022 season in general
Best sports memory: VCU Final Four 2011
Favorite food: Potatoes of all forms
Best concert: Dua Lipa
Spirit animal: Otter floating on its back
Greatest athletic achievement: Doing Molly Maids Dancing Drag Team every Squirrels game for the past five years
Caroline Phipps is in her seventh year with the Flying Squirrels and her second as the Director of Entertainment. The Richmond native and VCU graduate proudly averages one hot dog per home game (69 hot dogs a year). The self-titled "Queen of Memes" will cease any and all productivity if there's a dog within a 10-foot radius. When she's not at the ballpark, Caroline helps bring the havoc to the Siegel Center during VCU basketball home games.
Quick Hitters
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Alma Mater: Cedarville University
Years in Minor League Baseball: 6
Years with the Flying Squirrels: 5 (2019-present)
Past organizations: Dayton Dragons
FUNN Facts
Best athletic achievement: I got an interception the flag football championship in college
Best baseball movie: Tie between Moneyball and Field of Dreams
Do you have any pets? A good doggo named Skyy
Craziest thing you've ever done: Did a 20-mile hike in the Smokies in one day
Best concert: Went to a Twenty-One Pilots concert... BEFORE they were famous (nbd)
Quick Hitters
Hometown: Richmond, Virginia
Alma Mater: James Madison University
Years in Minor League Baseball: 3
Years with the Flying Squirrels: 3
FUNN Facts
Walk-up song: “Chandelier” by Sia
Favorite movie: Pretty much anything by Wes Anderson or Adam McKay
Favorite TV show: Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Favorite vacation spot: Outer Banks
Hot take: Hot dog is a sandwich
Favorite Flying Squirrels memory: Clinching playoffs in 2022
Best sports memory: Flying Squirrels playoffs 2022, Packers Super Bowl 2010, Liverpool Champions League 2019 and Premier League champions 2020
Favorite food: I probably eat at Chipotle at least once a week
Favorite musical artist: blink-182
Best concert: Bon Iver at Charlottesville pavilion
Longest road trip: In a car: Richmond to Tampa, FL. By plane: D.C. to Frankfurt to Cape Town.
Spirit animal: Guy Fieri
Greatest athletic achievement: SCOR’s lowest-division indoor soccer champions Fall 2022
Craziest thing you ever done: Surfing at Muizenberg Beach during a Great White shark watch
Hunter is a "Richmond Boy" who grew up going to games at The Diamond as long as he can remember. He loves sports and music - a lot - and says being able to do design work in both industries is the coolest thing ever.
Quick Hitters
Hometown: Tacoma, Washington
Alma Mater: University of Akron
Years in MiLB: 10
Years with the Flying Squirrels: 2
Past teams in MiLB: Akron RubberDucks, Altoona Curve
FUNN Facts
Walk up song: Bad Blood – T swizzle
Favorite TV Show: Brooklyn 99
Favorite Band: Nickelback
Spirit Animal: Ocelot
Spirit Superhero: Groot
Best Pro Wrestler of All Time: Honky Tonk Man
Quick Hitters
Hometown: Richmond, Virginia
Alma Mater: Old Dominion University
Years in Minor League Baseball: 4
Years with the Flying Squirrels: 1
Past organizations in MiLB/sports: Norfolk Tides, Bowling Green Hot Rods, Los Angeles Football Club, Detroit Tigers
FUNN Facts
Walk-up song: Bad Company by Five Finger Death Punch
Favorite movie: The Blind Side
Favorite TV show: NCIS
Favorite vacation spot: The Outer Banks
Best sports memory: Winning the 2021 High-A East Championship
Favorite food: Chicken Parmesan
Favorite musical artist: Zach Bryan, Luke Combs, Koe Wetzel
Best concert: Post Malone at Lollapalooza 2021
Longest road trip: Bowling Green, Kentucky to Los Angeles, California
Austin is in his first year as Director of Operations for the Flying Squirrels and his fourth season overall in Minor League Baseball. Austin got his start working as an intern for the Norfolk Tides while attending Old Dominion University. After graduating, Austin has spent time with the Bowling Green Hot Rods, Los Angeles Football Club as well as the Detroit Tigers before coming back home to work for the Flying Squirrels. In his time away from the stadium, you can find Austin hanging out with friends and family, going out and trying local restaurants as well as watching sports, especially the Duke Blue Devils, Washington Commanders and Detroit Red Wings.
Quick Hitters
Hometown: Four Oaks, NC
Alma Mater: Christendom College
Years in Minor League Baseball: 3
Years with the Flying Squirrels: 1
Past organization in MiLB: Durham Bulls
FUNN Facts
Walk-up song: Rock You Like a Hurricane – Scorpions
Favorite movie: Avengers: Infinity War
Favorite TV show: The Big Bang Theory
Favorite vacation spot: Outer Banks
Best sports memory: Chicago Cubs winning the 2016 World Series
Favorite food: Tacos
Favorite musical artist: Scotty McCreery, Rush
Longest road trip: Four Oaks, NC to Clarksville, TN
Fun baseball stat: Owns an ERA of 135.00 at the collegiate level
Quick Hitters
Hometown: Blue Springs, Missouri
Alma Mater: University of Missouri-Kansas City
Years in Minor League Baseball: 2
Years with the Flying Squirrels: 2
Past organizations in MiLB/sports: Kansas City Royals, Kansas City Chiefs, Minor league Hockey in Chicago
FUNN Facts
Walk-up song: "Sabotage" – Beastie Boys
Favorite movie: Once Upon a Time in the West
Favorite TV show: Anything Star Trek
Favorite vacation spot: Anywhere with Mountains
Hot take: Patrick Mahomes will beat all of Brady’s records at a younger age, and play well into his 60s, solidifying himself as the true G.O.A.T.
Favorite Flying Squirrels memory: Making the playoff in 2022
Best sports memory: Being at the World Series in 2015 and watching my hometown team win.
Favorite food: Sushi
Favorite musical artist: Metallica
Best concert: Lalapalooza 1994 and 2003
Longest road trip: Kansas City to Los Angeles
Greatest athletic achievement: I have had 3 holes in one playing golf
Craziest thing you ever done: Skydiving
Quick Hitters
Hometown: Portsmouth, Virginia
Alma Mater: Virginia State University
Years in Minor League Baseball: 2
Years with the Flying Squirrels: 2
FUNN Facts
Walk-up song: Dreams and Nightmares by Meek Mill
Favorite movie: The Temptations
Favorite TV show: Family Guy and American Horror Story
Favorite Flying Squirrels memory: Clenching the playoffs.
Favorite food: Tacos
Favorite musical artist: Beyonce
Longest road trip: Virginia to Tennessee
Craziest thing you ever done: Shaved off my eyebrows.
Quick Hitters
Hometown: Mechanicsville, VA.
Alma Mater: Liberty University
Years in Minor League Baseball: 4
Years with the Flying Squirrels: 4
FUNN Facts
Walk-up song: March Madness - Future
Favorite movie: Step Brothers
Favorite TV show: Parks and Rec
Hot take: All Pizza is the same.
Best sports memory: UVA Basketball winning the 2019 National Championship
Favorite musical artist: Either Mozart or Beethoven
Longest road trip: 12 hours, but anything over 2.5 hours is actually too long
Greatest athletic achievement: 8 points in 90 seconds off the bench in a blowout loss. I was on pace to score 170 (take that Wilt).
Craziest thing you ever done: Beat Cancer