Gustavus Student Interning at Baseball Hall of Fame

Gustavus Adolphus College senior Craig Nordquist has always had a passion for baseball as evidenced by the fact that he has visited all 30 current Major League Baseball stadiums. This summer, the communication studies major is living a dream by interning at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, N.Y.

Nordquist is one of 22 summer interns working at the Hall of Fame from June 1 through Aug. 6 thanks to the Frank & Peggy Steele Internship Program.

“It has always been my dream to work in the sports industry either as a journalist or in the front office of a Major League Baseball team,” Nordquist said. “I really appreciate the opportunity that I’ve been given to work at the Baseball Hall of Fame for the entire summer.”

Nordquist is interning in the Hall of Fame’s multi-media department. His responsibilities include editing video footage and conducting player interviews. He is also responsible for producing a weekly compilation of highlights from Major League Baseball games that is prominently featured in the museum’s “Today’s Game” exhibit.

He has been able to handle artifacts ranging from a Harmon Killebrew game-worn uniform from 1964 to the cap that Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg wore in his 14-strikeout debut. He has also been able to view rare photographs and unreleased game footage from the turn of the 20^th century. During the course of the internship, Nordquist will give three “Artifact Spotlight” presentations to museum patrons.

“I have really enjoyed the chance to see the museum as I never knew possible,” Nordquist said.

In mid-June the museum hosted the annual Hall of Fame Classic Weekend which afforded Nordquist the opportunity to meet numerous Hall of Famer’s including Harmon Killebrew, Ozzie Smith, and Mike Schmidt. He also had a chance to personally interview former players such as Jeff Kent and Bert Campaneris.

Nordquist will also be heavily involved in the Hall of Fame Induction Weekend July 23-26 when former player Andre Dawson, former umpire Doug Harvey, and former manager Whitey Herzog are enshrined into the Hall of Fame.

While Nordquist plans to finish up his work toward his communication studies degree this fall, he is also minoring in Spanish and management. Nordquist also works under Gustavus Sports Information Director Tim Kennedy during the academic year.