Much like the people who work in sport and recreation, the origin and history of professional baseball franchises in cities are varied and fascinating. For a city like Chicago, the Cubs are among the first charter franchises that debuted in 1876 and have played in their stadium, Wrigley Field, since 1914. Across town, the White Sox franchise first competed at the major league level in 1901 and, despite playing in three stadiums, has never looked back. Contrast the professional baseball franchises in Chicago to that of the Washington Nationals.
According to Gary Livacari, Society for American Baseball Research member and administrator/editor of Baseball History Comes Alive, professional baseball in D.C. has a confusing history. Major League Baseball started in D.C. with the Senators in 1901, who played in the American League and moved to D.C. from Kansas City. Known as the Senators (1901-04), then the Nationals (1905-55), then back to the Senators (1956-60), the franchise moved to Minnesota due to low attendance in 1960 to become the Twins.
Almost immediately after the franchise’s announced move, Major League Baseball awarded Washington D.C. an expansion franchise, which kept the Senators name. Continued challenges saw the second edition of the Senators move to Arlington, Texas, in 1972 and become the Rangers. Over 30 years later, professional baseball returned to the nation’s capital as the Montreal Expos moved to Washington D.C. Named the Nationals, the third professional baseball franchise in D.C. won the 2019 World Series and is hoping to return to the playoffs for the first time since their championship season.
Three UISRM alumni contributing to the Nationals hopeful return to the postseason in 2026 are Jake Stone (BS 2019), Daniel Crooks (2022), and Joe Korpalski (BS 2026). While all three are UISRM graduates, they were never students in Iowa City at the same time. However, the program’s nine-semester hour field experience requirement provided a strong foundation for their journey to the big leagues. On his field experience coursework, Daniel, Washington Nationals Assistant, Florida Operations, has this to say:
The field experience coursework was one of the most valuable parts of my UISRM experience. Through the San Diego and Cedar Rapids/Chicago sports practicums and my internship with the Iowa Heartlanders, I gained hands-on experience and learned from professionals across multiple areas of the sports industry. Beyond developing practical skills, these opportunities allowed me to build meaningful relationships and expand my professional network, which has been invaluable throughout my career. Just as importantly, the guidance and support of the UISRM faculty helped me maximize those experiences and encouraged me to pursue opportunities that aligned with my career goals. The combination of real-world experience, relationship-building, and mentorship helped prepare me for a career in professional baseball and ultimately led me to my current role with the Nationals.
A similarity between Jake, Daniel, and Joe’s field experience journey is that they all utilized independent field experience and guided field experience coursework to meet their degree requirement. Independent field experience is earned by students securing an approved internship, effectively performing their duties for their supervisor, and working with a UISRM faculty member to reflect on their experiences. In guided field experience, students join a cohort of students, are led by an instructor, and complete curated projects and operational experiences for a designated partner or partners. On his experience in the UISRM Agency guided field experience course, Joe, Washington Nationals Inside Sales Representative has this to say:
One experience that changed the trajectory of my college career was the UISRM Agency. When joining the Agency I was unsure where I wanted to be when I graduated. My exposure to the business side of sports while working with the Agency made me realize that my professors in UISRM had prepared me for the right opportunities. The Agency was key in unlocking the position I am in today and I could not be more grateful for the UISRM program.
However, beyond what is required, UISRM offers a range of extra- and co-curricular opportunities that helped Jake, Daniel, and Joe bolster their experience portfolio. On the extra- and co-curricular opportunities facilitated by UIRSM, Jake, the Washington National’s Manager, Staff Development, has this to say:
I wouldn’t be where I am today without the real-world experiences I gained throughout my time in UISRM or the guidance I received from Dan Matheson. Outside of the classroom, UISRM gave me the tools I needed to be successful getting started in a career in sports, and I am forever grateful for the individuals who put their time into creating an incredible experience for me and many others.
Congratulations to Jake, Daniel, and Joe on their success in making it to the ‘Big Leagues’ with the Washington Nationals. Best of luck as you continue in your current roles and move toward the next phases of your professional careers!