The year 2020 will mark Rick's 32nd season in professional baseball. From 1989 to 2001, Murphy was General Manager of the Pittsfield Mets/Astros and was instrumental in the move that brought the franchise to Joseph L. Bruno Stadium in Troy, NY.

After running the 'Cats from 2002-2004, Rick spent 2005 as the Chief Operating Officer for DDD Baseball, Inc., a company owned by Dan Duquette, the former General Manager of the Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles.

Rick was named the NYPL Executive of the Year in 2008 and is a 2011 New York-Penn League Robert F. Julian Community & Baseball Service Award winner. He currently sits as a member of the Board of Directors for the Albany Police Athletic League.

Favorite sports teams: Boston Bruins, Boston Red Sox
Which actor/actress would you want to play you in a movie?Mark Wahlberg
Favorite band: U2
My band name would be: Murphy's Law
My favorite ballpark food is: Wood-fire pizza
My walk-up song would be: "Ring of Fire" by Johnny Cash
Best concert I've ever been to: Van Morrison
Favorite ValleyCats promotion: Every night!
Fun fact about me: I've hiked the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim twice.

Community Involvement
Albany Police Athletic League - Board Member
Berkshire Medical Center - Corporator

A native of Hingham, Massachusetts, 2020 will be Matt's 13th season with the ValleyCats. He is a 2003 graduate of Boston College, and before his time with the ValleyCats spent several years in the telecommunication industry working for a firm in Natick, MA.

Matt was named the Sam Nader Executive/Staff Member of the Year by the New York-Penn League in 2012, and was the recipient of NYPL's Robert Stedler Executive of the Year Award in 2017.

In his free-time, Matt enjoys live music and playing sports such as baseball, softball, hockey, and skiing. He currently resides in downtown Troy with his wife Maggie and daughter Katherine.

Favorite sports teams: Boston Bruins, Boston Red Sox, Houston Astros, New England Patriots, Boston Celtics
Which actor/actress would you want to play you in a movie? Matt Damon
Favorite band: Pearl Jam
My band name would be:
My favorite ballpark food is: Wood-fire pizza
My walk-up song would be: "Alive" by Pearl Jam
Best concert I've ever been to: The Allman Brothers at the Beacon Theatre
Favorite ValleyCats promotion: Military Appreciation / Veterans Night as I think it's extremely important to thank and support those that serve our country.
Fun fact about me: I started skating when I was 3 years old and still play hockey in various leagues around the region.

Community Involvement:

Troy YMCA - Council Chair, Board Member, Youth & Teen Program Committee

Troy Business Improvement District - Board Vice President

Ronald McDonald House Charities Hockey League - Capital Cup Participant/Volunteer

A native of Twelve Mile, IN, Michelle is entering her 11th season with the ValleyCats. From 2010 - 2015 she served as the team's Administrative Assistant and then Fan Development / Community Relations Manager prior to being promoted to Assistant General Manager.

Before joining the ValleyCats, she completed an internship with the Vermont Lake Monsters and spent two years in Nashville, TN as the Operations Assistant for the Nashville Superspeedway. Michelle is a member of the Troy Kiwanis and an avid supporter of St Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Skinner is a two time recipient of the New York-Penn League JoAnn Weber Female Executive/Staff Member of the Year Award (2014, 2017), is a member of the 2019 class of the prestigious Albany Business Review's 40 under 40, and a graduate of the Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Institute.

Skinner received a Bachelors Degree in Sport Administration from Ball State University in 2007. She enjoys spending her free time traveling, running marathons, attending concerts and sporting events, and volunteering.

Favorite sports teams: Nashville Predators, Indiana Pacers, Indianapolis Colts, Houston Astros
Which actor/actress would you want to play you in a movie?Julia Roberts
Favorite band: Aerosmith
My band name would be: Uncomfortable Onstage
My favorite ballpark food is: Kettlecorn
My walk-up song would be: "Confident" by Demi Lovato
Best concert I've ever been to: Madonna at Yankee Stadium (Aerosmith concerts excluded)
Favorite ValleyCats promotion: Tri-City SmellyCats - FRIENDS Night
Fun fact about me: 

I want to run all 6 Abbott World Major Marathons as a St Jude Hero, raising money for St Jude Children's Research Hospital. I've run 10 full marathons, including 3 World Majors - New York, Chicago, and Berlin.

Community Involvement
Albany Running Exchange - Member
American Cancer Society - Volunteer / Relay for Life Team Captain
Ball State Sport Administration - Alumni Mentor
Epsilon Sigma Alpha International - Member
Girls on the Run Capital Region - Running Buddy / Mentor
Kiwanis Club of Troy - Board Member / President
Make-A-Wish of Northeast New York - Gala Committee Member / Walk For Wishes Committee Member
Salvation Army - Troy Corp - Advisory Board Member
Special Olympics of New York (Capital Region) - Winter Games Volunteer
St Jude Children's Research Hospital - Volunteer/St. Jude Hero

A native of Wilmington, Delaware, Jessica is entering her 10th season with the 'Cats.

Jess went to Goldey-Beacom College in Wilmington, where she was a part of the cross country team, and graduated in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. She furthered her education at Springfield College in Springfield, MA where in 2010 she graduated with a Master of Science in Sport Management.

Prior to joining the 'Cats, Jessica was an intern for the Philadelphia Eagles working in ticket operations. She has also worked as gameday staff for the New England Patriots during the 2009 season and worked with the AmeriCorps program in Springfield, MA.

Favorite sports teams: Minnesota Vikings, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Knicks
Which actor/actress would you want to play you in a movie?Alexis Bledel
Favorite band: Kenny Chesney or Kesha
My band name would be: TixTape
My favorite ballpark food is: Chickie & Pete's Crab Fries at Citizens Bank Park
My walk-up song would be: "Thunderclatter" by Wild Cub
Best concert I've ever been to: Garth Brooks at the Times Union Center
Favorite ValleyCats promotion: Bark in the Park Night
Fun fact about me: I want to be the first female commissioner of the NFL.

Community Involvement
Albany Running Exchange - Member
American Cancer Society - Relay for Life Committee Member/Team Captain
Girls on the Run Capital Region - Running Buddy/Mentor
Special Olympics of New York (Capital Region) - Winter Games Volunteer

A Latham native, Missy is entering into her sixth season with the ValleyCats. She attended Latham Christian Academy and played basketball until graduating in 2005.

Missy is a graduate of Schenectady County Community College with degrees in both Culinary Arts and Hotel/Restaurant Management, and has a Bachelor's Degree in Event Management from Delhi University.

Prior to joining the ValleyCats, Missy was an intern for the 2014 and 2015 Kentucky Derby. She also owns and operates a catering and events company.

In her free time, she enjoys traveling, cooking, playing basketball and spending time with family and friends, especially her nieces and nephews.

Favorite sports teams: Duke Blue Devils, Tennessee Lady Vols
Which actor/actress would you want to play you in a movie?Meryl Streep
Favorite band: Third Day
My band name would be: Lady Guava
My favorite ballpark food is: Cheese fries!
My walk-up song would be: "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor
Best concert I've ever been to: Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood at the Times Union Center
Favorite ValleyCats promotion: The hot dog race!
Fun fact about me: I am a 1st degree back belt in Taekwondo.

A native from Middleburgh, Derek is entering his inaugural season with the Tri-City ValleyCats following thirteen years of Southern hospitality and ten-years of management experience with chapters of The First Tee. The First Tee is a non-profit initiative of the World Golf Foundation that positively impacts youth through the game of golf.

Derek is a graduate of Flagler College '09, located in St. Augustine, FL, with a Bachelor's Degree in Sport Management. He is happy to have returned home and excited to contribute to the local community. You may find Derek around the Capital Region re-living his athletic glory days, enjoying the many outdoor recreational activities, or on the hunt for the next best craft brew with his friends and family.

Favorite sports teams: NY Knicks, NY Giants

Which actor/actress would you want to play you in a movie? John Krasinski

Favorite musical artist: Dave Matthews Band

My band name would be: D-Rock & the Outta Tunes

My favorite ballpark food is: Anything I can put Nacho Cheese on

My walk-up song would be: Sabotage - Beastie Boys

Best concert I've ever been to: Hootie & the Blowfish / Darius Rucker, Charleston, SC

Favorite ValleyCats promotion: Community Heroes Night

Fun fact about me: I have tasted the rarest Bourbon in the world from Pappy Van Winkle out of one of the oldest trophies in sports, the Claret Jug 

Elyse is entering her sixth season with the ValleyCats. She joined the 'Cats after working as a Youth Education Series Facilitator at Walt Disney World.

Zima is a 2007 graduate of Hofstra University with an bachelors degree in Television Production.

A native of the Capital Region, she is excited to be working with her hometown team. In her free time, you can often find her with family, hiking, or planning obscure road trips.

Favorite sports teams: New York Giants, Green Bay Packers, Orlando City Soccer, and Team USA
Which actor/actress would you want to play you in a movie? Idina Menzel
Favorite band: Barenaked Ladies
My band name would be: Ol' Jazz Hands
My favorite ballpark food is: Classic hot dog
My walk-up song would be: "U Can't Touch This" by MC Hammer
Best concert I've ever been to: Walk Off The Earth 
Favorite ValleyCats promotion: SouthPaw's Not So Scary Halloween
Fun fact about me: I can name all of the U.S. Presidents!

Community Involvement

American Cancer Society - Relay for Life Committee Member/Team Captain  

Make-A-Wish of Northeast New York - Walk for Wishes Committee Member

Big Brothers Big Sisters - Big Sister/Mentor

Special Olympics of New York (Capital Region) - Winter Games Volunteer

A Clifton Park native, Lizzy is entering her fifth season with the ValleyCats, second as full time Client Services Associate. She joined the team in 2016 as a member of the gameday staff working birthday parties, and in 2017-2018 as a client services intern.

Lizzy attended Shenendehowa High School and went on to graduate from Siena College in 2018 with a degree in Marketing with a Concentration in Sports Marketing and Services. While in college, Lizzy also worked for the Albany Devils and Siena College Athletics.

In her free time, Lizzy enjoys hanging with her dog, going on runs, watching hockey, and checking out new breweries in the area.

Favorite sports teams: Boston Bruins, New York Jets, Boston Red Sox

Which actor/actress would you want to play you in a movie? Jennifer Lawrence

Favorite Band: Luke Combs

My band name would be: The Shores of Tripoli

My favorite ballpark food is: Wood-fire pizza

My walk-up song would be: "Can't Hold Us" by Macklemore

Best concert I've ever been to: Jason Aldean and Luke Combs

Favorite ValleyCats promotion: Veteran of the Game Recognition

Fun fact about me: My first job was working in a bakery, baking cakes and making pastries

A Waterford native, Maggie is entering her seventh season with the ValleyCats, first as full time Special Events and Hospitality Associate. She joined the team in 2014 as a member of the gameday staff working birthday parties. She did this for three seasons before continuing her internships in 2017 and 2018 as a client services intern, while assisting in special events. 

Maggie attended Shenendehowa High School and went on to graduate from Providence College in 2019 with bachelors degrees in Marketing and Finance. While in college, Maggie spent a lot of time volunteering both on and off the PC campus with events such as the Providence College Relay for Life. Go Friars!

In her free time, Maggie enjoys traveling, hanging with her dog, spending time with friends and family, and watching Friends. 

Favorite sports teams: Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots, Boston Celtics, and Providence College Basketball
Which actor/actress would you want to play you in a movie? Anne Hathaway
Favorite band: One Direction (even though they are sadly broken up)
My band name would be: The Ringlets 
My favorite ballpark food is: Chicken Tenders 
My walk-up song would be: Like A Girl by Lizzo
Best concert I've ever been to: Coldplay at Gillette Stadium 
Favorite ValleyCats promotion: Community Heroes Night!
Fun fact about me: I have been to Disney once or twice a year, every year, since I was born. 

An Albany, NY native, Matt is currently in his 5th season with the ValleyCats; first in a full-time position. Matt began with the 'Cats in 2014 as a gameday food and beverage employee and worked his way up through multiple internships at "The Joe."

Matt is a graduate of Siena College where he majored in Management and minored in Spanish. During his time at Siena, he started a sports radio show and studied abroad in Havana, Cuba.

In his free time, Matt likes to travel the world, do anything outdoors and, of course, watch and play in any baseball game he can.

Favorite sports teams: New York Mets, New York Giants, New York Knicks

Which actor/actress would you want to play you in a movie? Freddie Highmore

Favorite band: Young the Giant

My band name would be: Eck and the Cold Callers

My favorite ballpark food is: Hot Dog

My walk-up song would be: Bright Lights - Gary Clark Jr.

Best concert I've ever been to: Young the Giant

Favorite ValleyCats promotion: Sustainable Living & Development Night

Fun fact about me: I've gone on a safari in Kenya and saw plenty of zebras!

A native of Woodbury, Connecticut, Andre is entering his second year as a member of the ValleyCats team. He attended The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio as well as Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY as a communications student.

In his free time, Andre enjoys playing and watching sports, running, playing with dogs, cooking and then eating said cooking as fast as possible. 

Favorite Teams: Philadelphia Eagles, New York Yankees, UCONN Athletics, the Miami Heat and Tottenham Hotspur

Which actor/actress would portray me in a movie: Dwayne "the Rock" Johnson 

Favorite Band: Stevie Wonder (I know, not a band, but he's just as good)

Band name: Sgt. Pepper's Copyrighted Psychedelic Experience 

Favorite Ballpark Food: Garlic fries at Yankee Stadium or Shake Shack at Citi Field 

Walkup song: Public Service Announcement by Jay Z (or Baby Shark)

Best concert I've ever seen: Kendrick Lamar in New Haven in 2011

Favorite ValleyCats promo: Bark in the Park

Fun fact about me: I have not lost a head to head FIFA match in over a decade.

A Buffalo, NY native, Stephaun is entering his first season with the ValleyCats, working his way up from a member of the grounds crew in 2019. 

"One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say." --Bryant H. McGill

In his free time, Stephaun loves to Ski, travel all over the world and spend time with friends and family.

Favorite sports teams: Indianapolis Colts, New York Yankees, Houston Astros, Houston Rockets
Which actor/actress would you want to play you in a movie? John Whitfield (D.C. Young Fly)
Favorite band: Earth Wind and Fire
My band name would be: "The S Word"
My favorite ballpark food is: Speedy chicken sandwich
My walk-up song would be: The Middle - Zedd, Grey ft. Maren Morris
Best concert I've ever been to: Earth Wind and Fire
Favorite ValleyCats promotion: Women in Sport Night, because I was raised by all women. I believe women should be shown appreciation for all of the great things they do.
Fun fact about me: I have four cats (Rose, Ivy, Milo, Winston) two bearded dragons (Lilo & Stitch) one Dj Hamster (Timothy).

A Latham native, Nick is entering his fifth year with the ValleyCats, first as a full-time member of the front office. He attended Catholic Central High School and played football and basketball until graduating in 2013. He went on to Hudson Valley Community College where he graduated in 2015 with an Associates degree in Business Administration, and moved on to UAlbany to graduate in 2018 with a Bachelors degree in Communications.

Prior to joining the ValleyCats front office, Nick interned for the ValleyCats in the Food and Beverage department and also worked as a gameday staff member. He also coached the Catholic Central High School freshman boys basketball team for two years. 

In his free time, he enjoys hanging out and playing various sports with his friends and family, watching his favorite teams play on television, and playing video games.

Favorite sports teams: New York Yankees, Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas Jayhawks
Which actor/actress would you want to play you in a movie? Kevin Hart
Favorite musical artist: Lil Wayne 
My band name would be: Richards & Sons
My favorite ballpark food is: Chicken Tenders and Fries
My walk-up song would be: BIG POPPA- Notorious B.I.G.
Best concert I've ever been to: Drake vs Lil Wayne at SPAC
Favorite ValleyCats promotion: Bobblehead Night
Fun fact about me: I have an obsession of buying different kinds of shoes and never wearing them.