It is a dream of most boys to play – or even work – for a professional sports team.
Joe Wielbruda works for the New York Yankees as the franchise’s minor league video coordinator. His journey began in Midland as a player for the Midland College Chaparrals baseball program from 2009 to 2011.
Wielbruda, who arrived in the Permian Basin from Youngstown, Ohio more than a decade ago, said his education at Midland College laid the foundation for his career. A 2013 graduate of the University of North Florida with a bachelor’s degree in public relations and communications, he cited public speaking professor Joe Willis for fostering a love for speaking in front of groups of people, he told the Midland Reporter-Telegram.
The Yankees gave Wielbruda an internship opportunity. Soon, he worked for farm teams in three states before returning to the Yankees.
Calling himself a “video librarian,” Wielbruda said he has been able to fuse his baseball savvy with his communications background.