Keith Elkins is the new Voice of the Legends
Keith Elkins, a former Lexington television sports reporter and anchor and public relations officer at the University of Kentucky and Transylvania University, has accepted the broadcasting and media relations position. In addition to serving as the team's primary media contact, his duties will include play-by-play of all games on radio. Legends games are heard on flagship station WLXG in Lexington and 34 affiliates across the Commonwealth, making up the largest radio network in minor league baseball. Elkins worked part-time on Legends broadcasts in 2008.
"We are excited to have a longtime Lexington resident, who is already connected with our fans, represent our team on air," said President Alan Stein.
General Manager Andy Shea also announced that along with Elkins, the Legends have hired several more employees with ties to the Central Kentucky community, Minor League Baseball, and the Houston Astros organization. Ty Cobb joins the Legends as its Director of Creative Services. The Legends added Chris Wohlgamuth and Maura Kennedy to their Group Sales Department, and the hiring of Paul Scanlon as a Corporate Sales Executive. Also joining the staff will be Justina Wright, who will be working as the Staff Accountant.
Cobb will be entering his second season in baseball as he comes from the Legends sister team, the Omaha Royals. Serving as the Marketing & Community Relations intern in 2008, he gained national acclaim when the Royals honored him by having his own promotion, Ty Cobb Night. Named after and born on the same day as the baseball Hall of Famer, Ty Cobb of the Detroit Tigers, Ty Cobb Night was featured on ESPN's First Take and also won a Veeckie award from ESPN the Magazine, which is an annual award for the best promotions in Minor League Baseball. A native of Humboldt, IL he played three years of tennis and one year of soccer at Central College in Pella, IA. He graduated from Central in 2007 with a degree in Art.
Wohlgamuth joins the Legends after serving as an intern for the Greenville Astros, the Rookie Affiliate of the Houston Astros. A native of Arcanum, Ohio he played four years of football and one year of track at Central Michigan University, winning two Mid-American Conference titles in football and one in track. He graduated from Central Michigan in 2008 with a Sports Marketing degree.
Kennedy enters her first season as a full-time employee. A native of Champaign, IL, Kennedy is a graduate of the University of Kentucky, where she received her degree in Communications.
Scanlon joins the Corporate Sales Department on a part-time basis. He is a native of Lexington, KY attending Henry Clay High School. He is a 1974 graduate of Eastern Kentucky University. Scanlon started out selling shoes when he was 14 years old, then working for WKYT-TV where he won the Super Optimist Award. He started his own company AD-SUCCESS in 1985 and which still thrives to this day, over 22 years. Paul is also a real estate agent who works with Keller Williams Bluegrass Realty.
Wright is a native of Pikeville, KY and will be entering her first season in baseball with the Legends. She is a graduate from Pikeville College earning her degree in Accounting and Business Management. She will be taking over the staff accounting working along side with the Business Manager.
"We have increased the size of our staff by about 15%," Shea said. "We had another great season in 2008 and with our new additions to the staff and the facility, we look to have another great season in 2009."
Former director of broadcasting and media relations Rob Gidel has accepted an opportunity to work with the University of Akron radio network, and among other duties, is the play-by-play announcer for women's basketball. He will remain on the Kentucky sports scene through his columns and commentary on college recruiting and other assignments.
The Legends, a member of the South Atlantic League and a class A affiliate of the Houston Astros, will begin their ninth season April 9, 2009 in Charleston, West Virginia against the West Virginia Power. The home opener is scheduled for Monday, April 13 against Kannapolis. The complete schedule and ticket information are available at www.lexingtonlegends.com
Contact: Andy Shea, 859 252-4487