THE ROAD TO GERING

The Pioneers are joined this summer by a group of interns, like most summer college baseball teams in America, they rely heavily on college students when it comes to the players and the support staff. These opportunities are unique in their own ways. The Pioneer family and the town of Gering is welcoming 9 interns to join them this summer. This opportunity provides these interns with experience, which they can use to forward their careers in sports

These are the new faces you’ll see in Gering and at Oregon Trail Park…

Maddie Smith, Social Media

Maddie comes to Gering, as a recent graduate of the University of North Texas where she graduated with a degree in photojournalism. She is a native of Wylie, Texas a suburb of Dallas, and she will be part of the social media team this summer. On why she chose the Pioneers Maddie said, “I like how the organization is a small, family-centric operation I feel that smaller businesses afford their employees the chance to flourish in a way bigger businesses don’t give you the chance to.” She notes that she “wants to be able to see the impact of my direct actions and decisions so I can learn and grow from the results ” While Maddie is of course excited for the games and special nights the Pioneers have planned, she’s equally excited to meet new people and hear their stories, “with interns and players coming from all different parts of the nation, I’m excited to see the differences in culture and getting to know each other.” Since her graduation in December of 2022, Maddie has been searching for her “big break” into the sports industry, she believes that this summer with the Pioneers will help, with a goal to be a part of a professional team or major organization’s media department.

Josh Kramer, Social Media Intern

Josh will be joining the Pioneers, as a sophomore from Western Carolina University, where he is currently studying sport management. Josh is a native of Greensboro, North Carolina, and is the other half of Pioneer’s social media team this summer. On his decision to join the Pioneers this summer Josh said “throughout the interview process, I felt I could grow and improve my skills while working in a friendly environment. Chuck and Mayra have made nothing but good impressions on me. ” Josh is looking forward to the experience he will get this summer, working for a summer league college team, and in a professional environment.

After his graduation from Western Carolina, his goal is to work for a professional sports team doing social media, as a die-hard Boston sports fan, he would love to work for one of the teams cherished growing up.

Carson Trail, Play-by-Play Announcer

Carson comes to the Pioneers, by way of Stanford University, where he is currently enrolled as a sophomore majoring in economics. The Mountain View, California native will be the voice of the Pioneers this summer. On why he chose the Pioneers, Carson said “I was looking for an immersive summer broadcasting experience with a rigorous schedule, a passionate fan base, and a tightly knit ownership group The Pioneers were the team that I can safely say fits all three I was struck by Chuck and Mayra’s passion and professionalism and the fact that they’re able to sell out [Oregon Trail] on any given night and maintain strong relationships with their players, staff, and community. That’s tough to beat.”

Carson currently broadcasts for KZSU 90.1FM, the Stanford University FM Radio Station. This summer he is looking forward to throwing himself into broadcasting really for the first time and looking to gain experience and contribute day-to-day. “I’m also looking forward to being a part of the game experience for fans and listeners alike, a privilege I don’t take lightly”. Following his graduation, Carson is hoping to jump straight into the minor leagues, or apply to journalism school, he has a goal of having a family and one day broadcasting Major League Baseball Fun fact, Carson is a self-proclaimed half-decent singer and a big music fanatic! He can “latch on to basically any genre ” , he says, but he finds himself delving deepest into R&B, Hip Hop, Classical, and Jazz

You can catch Carson during the season broadcasting Pioneers games on KNEB 100.3FM and 960AM!

Colleen Jones, Baseball Operations

Colleen comes to the Pioneers, after completing her junior year at Berry College, in Rome, Georgia Colleen is a Sprott, Alabama native majoring in sports administration with a minor in business. She will be the lone baseball operations intern for the Pioneers this summer. On why the Pioneers, Colleen had this to say, “from the moment I interviewed I knew that the Pioneers were the team I wanted to work for.

The small-town community is something I am very familiar with and that is exactly what Gering is. The summer hasn’t even begun yet, and Chuck and Mayra are already letting me in on the action, so I can get a feel for the team and the position.”

Colleen is most excited about exploring a different part of the country, and she is really looking forward to when the Pioneers host the Australian Select Colts (June 20th & 21st) Following her graduation, Colleen doesn’t have an exact plan, but she knows that she wants to work in college or professional baseball, or professional football. Colleen is a big, iced coffee fan and she is a southern girl at heart as well as a die-hard Auburn fan, she looks forward to bringing her southern charm, to Gering.

Jon Raymer, Stadium Operations

Jon joins the Pioneers as the closest intern to Gering. The Superior, Colorado native is a senior at the Metropolitan State University of Denver, where he is set to graduate this spring with a major in sport management, and a minor in sports media. He will be the stadium operations intern this summer, and he will be tasked with keeping the beer cold, and the hot dogs coming. As the closest intern to Gering, he said that was one of the main reasons he accepted the job, but also adds “ my role as stadium operations correlates with my previous job as a building manager at Gold Crown Foundation. I’ve heard that the city of Gering is full of great people and is a perfect place to spend the summer! Not only do I love baseball, but I also love traveling and experiencing new cultures ” When he looks forward to the summer, Jon is excited about the games and events the Pioneers will be hosting, but on top of that, exploring the culture of Scottsbluff, and Gering, and meeting new people. Following his graduation this spring and his internship with the Pioneers, he’s “not too sure what my plan is, my goal is to continue to work in the sports industry. Marketing, analytics, and operations intrigues ” J d f d l k f d

Will Pereira, Marketing & Promotions/Field Maintenance

Will joins the Pioneers this summer, after finishing up the first semester of his senior year at Arizona State University, where he is majoring in Sports Business, Will is set to graduate in December of 2023. The Burlingame, California native will be joining the staff as a marketing and promotions, as well as field maintenance intern. On what attracted him to the Pioneers, Will had this to say, “I like Chuck, and it seems like he creates a good culture. I also wanted to move to a place that I’ve never been to, something totally different.”

As he looks towards the summer, Will is looking forward to getting to meet and interact with the fans, he is looking forward to meeting lots of new and interesting people in the town of Gering Following his graduation, Will has a dream, of one day being a general manager for a Major League Baseball team, “it will take a lot, but I want to try”. Will is a huge San Francisco Giants fan and loves to talk about baseball, he can’t wait to get started.