Blue Wahoos Honor 10-Year Employees In Special Way

Blue Wahoos game-day employee Cathy Patterson was among 23 people honored by team owners Quint and Rishy Studer, along with team president Jonathan Griffith for working all 10 seasons and presented commemorative ring or pendant.

By Bill Vilona/Senior Writer

February 27, 2023

Before the final regular-season, home game in 2022, the Blue Wahoos honored all employees who had worked the entire 10-season history of the franchise. Each was presented a gift bag and had a photo taken with team president Jonathan Griffith. “And we thought that was great and special, and it

Before the final regular-season, home game in 2022, the Blue Wahoos honored all employees who had worked the entire 10-season history of the franchise.

Each was presented a gift bag and had a photo taken with team president Jonathan Griffith.

“And we thought that was great and special, and it was,” said Dave Presnell, known as “Downtown Dave,” the popular on-field, in-stands emcee during Blue Wahoos home games.

Team owners Quint and Rishy Studer have since added another surprise.

Blue Wahoos vice president Donna Kirby shows off the commemorative ring she was presented by team owners Quint and Rishy Studer for working all 10 seasons in franchise history.

During a recent company reception at Blue Wahoos Stadium, those same 10-year employees – a group of 22 people -- each received a commemorative ring or pendant from Bere’ Jewelers in Pensacola with a 10-year logo as a permanent keepsake for loyalty.

“You could just see the pride in everyone’s face when they received their gift,” said Blue Wahoos vice president Donna Kirby, one of the employees honored for 10 years of service. “It was like, ‘wow, this is really something we are celebrating and I am part of it.’

“It was fantastic. What an incredibly kind, thoughtful and generous gift from the Studers to celebrate 10 years. What a remarkable decade it has been for everybody who has been here through every single year.”

Bere’ Jewelers has been a loyal business partner with the Blue Wahoos. They created a promotion last year “Diamond Dig” where fans were able to dig for a buried diamond in the infield. Nearly a hundred people signed up to participate.

Blue Wahoos owners Quint and Rishy Studer, along with Jonathan Griffith honored 10 year employees at recent reception by presenting a commemorative ring or pendant from Bere Jewelers.

The 10-year employees were informed of the added gift during the off-season and got sized for rings or choice in pendants from Bere Jewelers.

“I am so psyched about it,” Presnell said. “I just think this is so above and beyond anyone’s expectation. I was happy when we got the replica championship ring in 2017. I was so flattered.”

In working all 10 seasons, the 21 people included full-time staff member Mike Crenshaw, the facilties coordinator, joining Kirby and Griffith as the front office staff honored. His wife, Sandra Faye Crenshaw, a game-day employee all 10 years, was honored as well.

“The things we have seen are incredible,” Kirby said. “I always say, I wish I would have started a book back in 2012, because of the stories we have seen, the family reunions, the happy times, the rougher times, it just amazing the things we have already forgotten that have happened in these last 10 years.

“And just the fact that Quint and Rishy wanted to celebrate this with everyone that night (at stadium reception) I think speaks volumes for them.”

Blue Wahoos team owners Quint and Rishy Studer, along with team president Jonathan Griffith honored 10-year employees during a special reception at Blue Wahoos Stadium.

Kirby and Presnell both traveled to Beloit, Wisconsin in April 2022 for the Beloit Sky Carp season-opener – a team Quint and Rishy Studer purchased in 2020 – and now the Miami Marlins Advanced-A affiliate. In was the team’s first full season in a rebrand from Beloit Snappers in the Midwest League and playing in the newly-built, downtown ABC Supply Stadium.

By purchasing the team and helping arrange building a downtown ballpark, the Studers ensured professional affiliated baseball remained in Beloit.

“There is something magical about that 2012 year that we all went through in Pensacola,” Kirby said. “And that night in Beloit, I thought here Dave and I are… 10 years later… . helping this team get started (in new era) because we have been through the ropes together with the Blue Wahoos. So very cool to experience.”

Presnell reflects on his 10 seasons as the in-game emcee with the Blue Wahoos in a career defining way.

“Oh my, it is a life changer. It has been so much fun,” said Presnell, a small business owner. “It is like having a summer job as a kid and one that you are just so happy to do. It is almost like therapy.

“I get depressed when (season) is over.”

BLUE WAHOOS 10-YEAR EMPLOYEES

Joe Concannon, Mike Crenshaw, Sandra Faye Crenshaw, Mary Davis, Eric Funden, Josh Gay, Jonathan Griffith, Erica Grimes ,Sally MacDonald, Lisa Hunt
Benita Jones, Renee Jones.

Donna Kirby, Suzanne Ozburn, Kevin Peterson, Cathy Patterson, Dave Presnell, Vic Randall, Wila Silas, Theresa Waggoner, Treneshia Williams, Neotha Williams, Leroy Williams.