Kasey Blair awarded FSL Scholarship

The Daytona Cubs extend big congratulations to account executive Kasey Blair on earning the 2013 Florida State League Scholarship.

According to the FSL press release, The Florida State League Scholarship Committee awarded 12 $1,500 educational scholarships to applicants from each team in the League. The Committee awarded the scholarships after a review of the applications submitted by each applicant. The award is based on both financial need and grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Students eligible for this award must be an employee of, or child or grandchild of an employee of the participating club, and must be at least a high school junior by the 2013 Fall Term.

After graduating from Alice Lloyd College in 2010 with a degree in Physical Education, Blair is currently in her final semester of graduate school at Eastern Kentucky University where she is in the Sports Management and Administration Masters Program. Blair was both gracious and grateful when finding out that she had been awarded the Florida State League scholarship.

"Winning this scholarship is an honor for me," Blair said. "I have been lucky with being able to pay for school before, but now I would not be able to pay for my last three grad classes without taking out a loan. This scholarship will help me out so much."

Raised in the city of Somerset, KY, Blair grew up playing basketball, soccer and softball, as well as running cross country. Blair attended the 2012 Winter Meetings in Nashville, had a successful interview with the Daytona Cubs, and in her words, "the rest is history!"

"I took this internship because it seemed to be right up my alley," Blair stated. "I have a special place in my heart for baseball and I have always dreamed of being part of a professional organization. This internship promised to show me the ins and outs of Minor League Baseball, and I knew that was what I wanted to do."

Having worked with the Daytona Cubs since early January, Blair has had nothing short of a memorable experience in the Sunshine State.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my internship here in Daytona," Blair said. "I have learned just about every aspect of the operations of Minor League Baseball, and about all the different jobs that are necessary for an organization to successfully function. I would be lying if I didn't say this was the hardest job I have ever had, but I have loved every minute of it. From working in tickets, to working in food, to selling 50/50 raffle tickets, to pulling tarp, I have been able to experience and learn about every job at the ballpark."

Following her internship with the Cubs, Blair hopes to continue work in professional baseball, because, as she said, "it's not very often that you get the opportunity to work at a job that you love."

The Miami Marlins have sponsored this program for 14 years and have contributed a total of $136,500.

Florida State League President Chuck Murphy proudly stated, "This program is one of the best things we do in the League and I congratulate the Directors and General Managers on their dedication and enthusiasm in administering this program."

Getting to know Kasey

1. Where did you grow up? Somerset, KY on Lake Cumberland.

2. What sports did you play growing up? In high school, I ran cross country, and played soccer, basketball, and softball.

3. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? I want to backpack through Europe. (But I also plan on hitting every Major League Ballpark!)

4. Who is your favorite baseball player? My favorite all-time baseball player is… the one, the only, Chipper Jones. I grew up loving to watch him play. My favorite current baseball player has to be Chris Johnson. You've got to love the CJ that took the original CJ's place at the hot corner.

5. Who is your celebrity doppelgänger? I don't know if I have a celebrity doppelganger! But I guess if I had to pick someone, I guess it would be Hayden Panettiere... but just because we have the same hair and same color eyes!

6. What is your favorite TV show? The Walking Dead. Nothing like preparing for the Zombie Apocalypse.

7. If you weren't working in MiLB, where would you be working? In my dream world? I would be a photographer for a MLB team.

8. Do you have any odd phobias? I am terrified of dark bathrooms. I always think something is going to grab my legs from under the door.

9. What is your go-to meal in Daytona Beach? Tia Cori's Tacos. Hands down. Best queso EVER.

10. What has been the most memorable moment for you with the Daytona Cubs? Most memorable moment would have to be the Camp Day rainout. A day game rainout where we stood in the pouring rain for an hour trying to keep hundreds of young kids from freaking out. It was interesting, and wet, to say the least.