Burlington 'home' to unique promotion

In a nutshell, being an intern means living on a tight budget, being at the beck and call of superiors, and trying to take in as much information about the job as possible. In essence, an intern is the bottom of the workplace food chain.

But Adam Rich of the Burlington Indians is taking his internship responsibilities to a whole new level.

As of June 23, Rich has been living in an RV parked at Burlington Athletic Stadium. The 29-foot Class C motor home was donated to the Indians when Assistant General Manager Ryan Snodgrass came up with a creative idea for a promotion.

"I'm new to Burlington, and my old job had an hour commute, which I hated," said Snodgrass. "I loved crashing on the trainer's couch. There's this new RV place that opened up in town, Adam's apartment lease was expiring, so it came together."

Snodgrass approached Hawley's Camper Center, where store manager Victor Jonpaul jumped on board. Jonpaul said it was a great way to help out the Indians while getting Hawley's name out there.

Because this season marks the 21st for the Indians, Snodgrass decided Rich would stay in the RV until 21,000 Tribe fans passed through the gates. He estimates that should be sometime in mid-August.

Rich, though, has gotten quite used to his new home.

"It's nicer than my old apartment," said the intern. "I'm saving a bunch on gas, and the only things I'm missing are cable and running water. I think I'm going to see if I can stay here until the end of the season."

Rich copes with the absence of cable TV and water by watching his favorite shows in the clubhouse and showering in the umpire's locker room.

"It's great, there [are] five showerheads, so I'll point three at my back and it's like getting a massage," he said.

The RV comes equipped with a full kitchen, couches and space to sleep six. Though he's not allowed to throw "RV parties," Rich said there have been quite a few nights when his RV would be full of fellow staff members following home games.

After seeing the inside of the RV, Snodgrass said he wouldn't mind taking Rich's place.

"I'm jealous. I was going to volunteer to live in there, but then we figured with his commute being so long," said Snodgrass. "It's so nice in there. We joke about his commute being 'torture' now."

Moving the RV inside the ballpark wasn't too difficult, as Burlington Athletic Stadium's concourse is level with the playing field. Snodgrass said it was just a matter of putting the RV in reverse and backing it onto the concourse.

Both Rich and Snodgrass said the idea has been a huge success. Everyone who enters the RV becomes a "regular." Even Rich's parents love their son's new housing arrangement.

"They've come to visit me a few times," said Rich. "They love it. The best part is, they come and take me out to dinner every time."

And when Rich isn't being treated to dinner by his parents?

Spoken like a true intern, Rich said, "At home games, it's usually hot dogs and chicken filet sandwiches. When the team's away, it's a lot of fast food. I'm too afraid to use the kitchen; I don't want to burn down the RV, or anything."