Kate Avard is back with the Valley Blue Sox.
The Easthampton High School and UMass graduate has been named general manager of the New England Collegiate Baseball League team that is based in Holyoke.
Avard, 22, started this week. She replaced Chris Weyant, who left after five years with the team. He served one year as general manager.
“It’s a very big leap for me but I am very excited to be back with the Blue Sox,” Avard said.
Avard is currently the second female general manager in the 13-team NECBL, joining Winnipesaukee Muskrats GM Carey Hough. Women have slowly gained positions throughout all levels of baseball and Avard is excited to be a part of the growth.
“This is a male dominated field,” Avard said. “I’m exited. It’s great to see a huge uptick with all the female involvement throughout the sports industry.”
Avard received degrees in sport management and kinesiology from UMass last spring. Avard interned with the Blue Sox during the 2016 season. She also interned with the UMass football team in 2018.
“I’ll be working with the NECBL,” Avard said. “I do a lot of our league relations and I also work with the local community to build our sponsorships and bring people out to the ballgame.”
Blue Sox owner Fred Ciaglo, of Hadley, made the announcement on Thursday.
“We’re very excited to appoint Kate as our new General Manager,” Ciaglo said in a statement released by the Blue Sox. “Having previously served as one of our interns, she knows the culture and community-oriented mission of our organization. Given her education in sport management, Kate will bring strong business fundamentals, creativity and a passion for baseball to the Blue Sox front office.”
Avard grew up in Holyoke and moved to Easthampton when she was 10 years old. She played volleyball and softball at Easthampton High School.
“Something that drew me to the team is the close proximity to home and the history I have with the team,” Avard said. “I grew up going to Blue Sox games and Holyoke Giants games. It’s something I wanted to get back to.”