Bravehearts

Worcester, MA - The Worcester Bravehearts announced today they have promoted Nate Gonelli to Assistant General Manager. Originally from Baldwinville, MA, Gonelli joined the Bravehearts in 2017 after graduating from Franklin Pierce University. He moved up the ranks in Worcester, starting as a Group Experience Coordinator before being promoted to Director of Sales in 2019.

 

Gonelli’s passion for working in sports showed early in his college days. In his senior year, he became the first-ever Game Day Operations Intern for Franklin Pierce University, paving the way for other sport-management hopefuls to gain quality experience before obtaining their degree. While in college, Gonelli also worked in the customer service industry, working to combine his people skills with his knowledge of sports management to create a quality environment for future fans.

 

“In this industry, there is nothing more fulfilling than seeing a co-worker rise through the ranks and become a leader,” said Bravehearts’ General Manager Dave Peterson. “Nate Gonelli embodies the spirit, work-ethic, and attention-to-detail that has been synonymous with the Bravehearts’ brand. He has earned every bit of this promotion, and it’s going to be exciting to work with him as a leader of this franchise as we prep for the most important season in the history of the team.”

 

In Gonelli’s first season as a member of the Bravehearts, he became the top salesperson on staff and helped increase both total and average attendance more than 5% from the previous season. The Bravehearts also ranked first in New England in 2017 and seventh nationally in attendance among all summer collegiate teams in the country. The team’s attendance continued to trend upwards, and in 2019 with Gonelli leading the ticketing office, the Bravehearts had their most successful season at the box office in franchise history. 

 

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Gonelli showed his leadership ability by being at the forefront of planning a 2020 season with strict coronavirus regulations and protocols in place. Without the ability to sell tickets or play on the campus of the College of the Holy Cross, Gonelli worked with Peterson and team owner John Creedon, Jr. to plan a season for the Bravehearts in his hometown of Leominster, MA. The result was a success, and in 2020 the Bravehearts hosted an entire season of baseball and three weeks of youth baseball camp without one player testing positive for the virus.

 

Unable to offer home game tickets to groups because of the uncertainty of the continuing pandemic, Gonelli was the lone ticket salesperson in the Bravehearts’ office in 2021. When the spectator restrictions of the 2021 season were lifted, once again Gonelli shined, quite literally selling over 3,000 tickets to the last home game of the 2021 season by himself.

 

“I’m grateful that I was able to start and grow my career in the sports industry with an organization that sets a premium on the entertainment and hospitality side of the game,” said Gonelli. “It’s important for our organization to make sure every fan that walks through those gates feels like they are a part of the Bravehearts family. As I head into my sixth season, I’m thrilled to step in and fill the role as Assistant General Manager and I'm excited to work side-by-side with Dave and our young, energized staff to continue to build the Bravehearts brand while delivering excellent customer service. 2022 might look a little different to some, but fans can expect to be a part of an entertaining and unique brand of baseball.”

 

Along with Gonelli’s promotion, the Bravehearts have promoted former Team Store Manager Carter Bemis to Merchandising Director. Bemis will run the Bravehearts Holiday pop-up shop located at the Auburn Mall for the month of December. 

 

If you would like to purchase Bravehearts season tickets or flex vouchers for the 2022 season, contact Nate Gonelli via email at [email protected] or visit WorcesterBravehearts.com