Get to Know the Leesburg Lightning Interns and GM
For the 2016 Leesburg Lightning interns, this summer serves as an opportunity to learn and grow immensely within the sport industry. Not only are they able to familiarize themselves with the game of baseball, but it’s also a unique experience that few college students are fortunate enough to receive.
This year’s group of interns consist of Demery Zachery, Tori Irvin, Zachary Hornstein, and Edward Poe.
“I came to the Florida League hoping to expand my knowledge of the game of baseball, mainly with the behind the scenes aspect,” Team Operations intern Demery Zachery said.
Demery comes to the Florida Collegiate Summer League and Leesburg Lightning from the University of Tampa where she just completed her B.S. Degree in Sport Management. While at the University of Tampa, Demery was a four-year student athlete on the women’s volleyball team for whom she helped win a 2014 NCAA Division II National Championship.
“I’ve had many friends in the past who have spoken extremely high of the Florida League and that greatly enticed me to the experience,” Demery said.
Coming to the Florida League and Leesburg Lightning also as a Team Operations intern is Tori Irvin. Tori is fresh off completing her B.S. Degree in Sport Management from Southeastern University. While in Lakeland, Tori was a four-year student athlete for the Southeastern women’s soccer team where she was a mainstay for the Fire.
“I first learned about the Florida League from working a showcase at Marlins Stadium,” Tori said. “That separate experience was great and I have faith that it’s lead me to an even greater experience with the Florida League and the Leesburg Lightning.”
The third Team Operations intern for the Lightning is Zachary Hornstein. Zachary just completed his freshman year at Lake-Sumter State College where he is also studying to eventually earn his B.S. Degree in Sport Management.
“Having grown up in Leesburg, I’ve been around the Lightning almost my entire life,” Zachary said. “I chose the Florida League because of its familiarity and my love for the game of baseball.”
Last but not least, is this year’s Lightning Journalism Intern. Edward Poe comes to the Florida League from York College of Pennsylvania where he also just completed his B.S. Degree in Sport Management.
“Over the past year or two I’ve increasingly grown to love journalism and the Florida League seemed like the perfect opportunity and place to utilize that and my love for the game of baseball,” Edward said.
As for who calls the shots for the Leesburg Lightning organization, there is no one person representative of the general manager position. The Lightning are operated by a Board of Directors who are made up of Chuck Johnson, Roger Croft, and John Meier.
Each of these gentlemen have been apart of the Lightning organization since day one — 2007 — and without them, the organization would not be standing as strong as they are today.
On game day, you’ll find Chuck Johnson on the public announcement system as the “Voice of the Leesburg Lightning.” Roger Croft is the in-game Leesburg Lightning broadcaster, and John Meier aka “Stat Man” is the Lightning scorekeeper and statistician.
If there’s one thing that is certain, each of the four interns and the Board of Directors will become even more of a family beginning June 3 at the Lightning home opener.
Eddie Poe (York College of Pennsylania)