(March 21, 2011) When the Kinston Indians hired a broadcasting and media relations intern this winter, they thought their broadcast team was set for 2011. However, when the new hire left for a Triple-A job that was too good to pass up, the Indians were back to square one with the start of the season right around the corner. STAA client Connor Shreve is stepping in to fill the void.
“Kinston’s Director of Broadcasting Chris Hemeyer (also an STAA client) emailed me looking for someone to replace Darren Headrick, who had left for a job with Triple-A Oklahoma City,” says STAA CEO Jon Chelesnik. “I recommended Connor and sent the link to Connor’s STAA Talent Page to Chris.”
STAA wasn’t Shreve’s only endorsement. Veteran Tennessee Smokies broadcaster Mick Gillispie also suggested Shreve to Hemeyer. Gillispie met Shreve last off-season when Shreve applied for the No.2 job with Tennessee. Shreve ended-up as a No. 2 in Huntsville but furthered his relationship with Gillispie as they repeatedly crossed paths in the Southern League.
Hemeyer says, “I loved Connor’s stuff and [STAA’s] recommendation sealed the deal.”
In addition to working in media relations, Shreve will broadcast the middle three innings for all home games, will broadcast 8 to 10 games solo, and will make select road trips.
“The [Kinston] position is very similar to what I did last year except there is an opportunity to do some TV with the team’s local cable access show,” says Shreve.