IRVINE, Calif. – The Orange County Riptide, a collegiate wood bat summer baseball team playing in the California Collegiate League (CCL), announced today Russell Buffkin has joined the Riptide as the Assistant General Manager for the summer 2022 season.
Buffkin is no stranger to the OC Riptide, having worked on the Sports Information staff last summer. You can read a number of his articles from 2021 HERE .
“Russell was part of the OC Riptide family last year in one our Sports Information positions,” General Manager, Moe Geoghegan, said. “We are very excited to have him back in a bigger role this summer as the Riptide’s Assistant GM. Russell has an understanding on how to help the Riptide Baseball Club run smoothly and will be highly valuable to us this summer.”
Buffkin currently attends the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa and is a junior majoring in News Media with a concentration on sports media. He aspires to work in the professional sports world and eventually work for a professional sports team front office or a college or university athletic department. A native of Mobile, Alabama, Buffkin has previously worked as runner at a law firm.
Russell Buffkin (back row, 5th from the right) was a member of the 2021 OC Riptide Intern Staff
“I am thrilled to be the new Assistant GM for the OC Riptide heading into the 2022 season,” Buffkin said. “After working for the Riptide last summer, I knew I wanted to come back and do more for this incredible organization. My goal is to help this team in any way possible to ensure a trip to the playoffs and possibly a CCL championship. I am also excited to work with an excellent staff who makes sure every game is memorable for the fans. With the players and coaches joining us for the summer, I believe there is much potential for a great season.”
Before enrolling at the University of Alabama, Russell attended high school at St. Paul’s Episcopal School. During his time there, he won a state championship on the football team and was one of the lead roles in his school’s presentation of the musical Oklahoma! his senior year. He also volunteered much of his time to serve his community by tutoring children with disabilities.
“Of a staff of roughly 35 interns last summer, Russell’s passion for the Riptide, his professionalism and his attention to detail helped set him apart from others,” David Lamm, Director of Stadium Operations & Marketing, said. “Even though Russell’s role last summer was in our Sports Information department, he would chip in and assist other departments without being asked. That helped him learn all aspects of how to run this organization and a natural fit for assuming the Assistant General Manager role. We are so pleased that Russell enjoyed his time with the Riptide last summer and we are lucky to have him back again, this time in an expanded faculty.”
In his free time, Russell enjoys golfing and playing basketball. He also loves to ski and his favorite place to shred some snow is Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Russell is thrilled to rejoin the Orange Country Riptide in an expanded capacity and help the Riptide pursue another CCL championship.
OC Riptide fans can follow Russell Buffkin on multiple social media channels including Twitter (@BuffkinRussell) and Instagram (@russell.b2).
