The Coastal Plain League announced today, August 20, that Summer Huechkter was named the Most “Viral” Performer, an award given to the league’s multimedia correspondent who provided the most engaging content throughout the summer. This is the second season of the multimedia internship program, with this being the inaugural year for the award.
“We had an amazing group of interns this summer that all stood out in their own unique ways,” noted CPL Media Relations Director Shelby Hilliard. “Ultimately Summer was chosen as the winner for this award for her well-rounded and creative approach to the job. She displayed a great eye for capturing relevant content and because of that we constantly found ourselves sharing her work on other platforms. Furthermore, this content resonated well with our fans and resulted in some of our most engaging posts of the season.”
Huechtker was one of 14 multimedia interns spread about the league who worked diligently to share real-time, behind-the-scenes content with CPL fans via the CPL’s social media platforms, most predominantly featured on the league’s Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook stories (@CPLBaseball.) These interns also collected video and pictures of players throughout the year that was used in the Around the CPL weekly highlight show and other promotional materials, as well as being housed in an online database for both fans to view, and to be archived for use down the road as players continue their journey to professional baseball.
In addition to excelling in her required duties, Huechtker showed a willingness to gain further experience by volunteering to work the league’s All-Star Show in Lexington, S.C. in July and shooting, editing and producing her own feature on Gastonia Grizzlies’ pitcher Dylan Verdonk. This can be viewed below.
Huechtker is a Rock Hill, S.C. native and is currently a junior at the University of South Carolina where she is studying Broadcast Journalism with a minor in Sport and Entertainment Management. She works as a production assistant with Gamecock Productions for the University’s athletic department and will also be working with the ESPNU Campus Connection student representative program this fall.
“I am so grateful for the opportunity to cover the Gastonia Grizzlies and share my ideas with the Coastal Plain League this summer,” said Huechtker. “The CPL multimedia internship allowed me to grow in my photography and video skills, while also allowing me to share stories and highlights on players and coaches. The Grizzlies welcomed me with open arms this summer and I am so glad I could share their amazing baseball, entertainment and atmosphere through this internship. I look forward to applying what I learned this summer to my positions at school this year.”
Her fellow multimedia interns this summer that provided content all season for fans were as follows: Alec Sawyer, Taylor Blackwell, Hannah Hughes, Blythe McNeely, Hayley Morgan, Carly Martinelli, Alex Evatt, Virginia Reid, Jodi Cothron, Josh Waldrum, Zachary Pike, Bailey Death and Michael Burden.
For students or recent graduates interested in taking part in this program for the 2019 season please email a resume to [email protected].
About Coastal Plain League:
The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s premier summer collegiate baseball league. Heading into its 22nd season in 2018, the CPL features 16 franchises playing in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. To date, the CPL has had over 1,450 alumni drafted and 116 alums – including 2017 ALCS MVP, 2017 World Series champion, 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young award winner Justin Verlander, as well as 2017 NLCS MVP Chris Taylor – make their Major League debut. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat @CPLBaseball.