Undergrad GM: A summer job with the Copperheads

Post-game fireworks over the baseball field. Home-run derbies. Affordable tickets. Kid-friendly activities between innings. If you’ve attended a Copperheads baseball game, you’re sure to recognize these things and more. 

Since 2002, the Southern Ohio Copperheads have been a focal point of summer entertainment in Athens, providing an opportunity for families to enjoy a great American pastime. The collegiate summer baseball team is community-owned and student-operated, offering OHIO students and students from nearby colleges and universities interested in pursuing a career in the sports and entertainment industry an end-to-end internship experience.  

The Southern Ohio Copperheads team is part of the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League (GLSCL). The team came into existence in the spring of 2002 and won the GLSCL Championship in 2018.

Arguably more important than championships, though, the Copperheads have won over the hearts of the people of Southeast Ohio, combining affordable, family-friendly entertainment with great baseball. The organization is community-centric and student-focused, striving to create incredible memories at the ballpark for all of Southeast Ohio.  

We caught up with Roberto Lemus, the current general manager of the Copperheads, to have a conversation about his experience with the team and what makes the Copperheads experience so special.  

Q: Who is Roberto Lemus?

A: I am an international student from Guatemala and a senior studying sports management with minors in Finance, Business Analytics, and a Sales certificate through the Schey Sales Centre, graduating in the fall. I came here because of my passion for baseball and my interest in working in the sports industry. OHIO has one of the best sports management programs in the world. I’m a big fan of learning, and so I’ve been involved with the Copperheads for a while, taking on leadership and management experiences to understand what goes into sports management and what goes into the various facets. 

Q: When and how did you get into sports?

A: I come from a baseball family. My grandfather and father were fans, so I was born with a passion and love for the game. I started playing when I was as young as four years old with my brother. I got into football when I was in high school, but when I came to OHIO and started working with the Copperheads, it brought back the memories I had with my family as a child.

Q: How passionate were you about baseball?

A: Becoming a professional baseball player was my dream. I wanted to become the first-ever Guatemalan player in Major League Baseball. I worked hard to pursue it, but I quickly realized that the country didn’t have as many opportunities for people who wanted to become professional athletes. The sports industry allowed me to live out my dream of still being a part of baseball. 

Q: What do you enjoy most about baseball?

A: Baseball feels like a family-oriented sport. Unlike other sports, where there’s a lot of focus on the team and the games, baseball is a medium for families and friends to spend time together and enjoy the summer. It’s a sport which creates a space where people can go out and enjoy themselves.

Q: Have you worked with any sports team or franchise previously?

A: I have been gracious enough to receive opportunities to work with some sports teams and organizations. I worked on the Ryder Cup, the Kentucky Derby, and Bismarck Larks. Working with Bismarck Larks was the turning point for me because I realized even though I enjoyed those other sporting experiences, I still loved baseball and wanted to work on baseball teams. The current owner of the Bismarck Larks was once a Copperhead general manager, and he recommended the idea of working with the Copperheads.

Q: What has been your experience so far working with the Copperheads?

A: Having worked with the Copperheads for two years, I would say it’s been impactful. It has offered a hands-on approach and experience to managing the team from top to bottom since the students manage almost every aspect of the team. The experience has been vital, and I’ve learned so much. The other thing is how it’s allowed us to connect with the community of Athens, and I’ve been able to appreciate just how much the Copperheads mean to the community.

Q: What role do you play, what are your responsibilities, and what does it entail?

A: In my first year, I was the director of sponsorships, handling the team meals after games. We would partner with various food establishments to get the team a variety of food. Currently, I am the general manager overseeing twelve other students and the day-to-day activities and operations of the team. My first year gave me a lot of experience that has been essential in my approach to being a general manager and how I’ve been able to teach other students and support them in their journeys with the Copperheads.

Q: As a team, what do the Copperheads represent?  

A: I think the Copperheads are a bit different as an organization in that we are a part of the greater Athens community. The people recognize the team as one of their own. Because of that support, since the birth of the Copperheads, we have successfully maintained our $5 ticket prices so that our games are easily accessible to the Athens community and very family-friendly. Outside of the 18 home games we have, we also put together over 30 community events annually, including hosting youth baseball and softball clinics, home run derbies for the kids, movie nights, pool days with the players, and building a playground for local schools. 

Q: What have been your most memorable moments working with the Copperheads? 

A: The home run derbies. When I was a kid, we had a home run derby tournament for kids that I won. It is probably my most cherished memory from my childhood baseball days. So when we were working on community events, with what my experience had been, I wanted to create a space for the kids here to experience something similar. Admission was free, and the kids enjoyed every moment of it. 

Q: What would you say to anyone interested in working with the Copperheads over the summer? 

A: It’s not easy. But it is worth it. Unlike other internships, the Copperhead experience thrives on having goals and being able to deliver at the end of the day. It’s one great team bonding experience I’ve had because I’ve made friends for life working with the Copperheads. Because it isn’t just about the team but also about how much faith the community has in the team. I think it spurs you on to do more, not just for yourself but for other people as well. And it’s also a step to preparing for a career in the sports industry. At the same time, you get to experience the Athens community in the summer.