Staff

Staff

CAN-USA Sports

Robbie & Nellie Nichols

Robbie & Nellie Nichols

Owners

Nellie and Robbie Nichols are the owners of the Batavia Muckdogs. Having found success in Elmira with the Pioneers at historic Dunn Field and the Enforcers at First Arena, the Nichols embarked on a new mission to bring baseball back to Batavia. 

Nellie and Robbie Nichols are the owners of the Batavia Muckdogs. Having found success in Elmira with the Pioneers at historic Dunn Field and the Enforcers at First Arena, the Nichols embarked on a new mission to bring baseball back to Batavia. 


The Nichols have been a part of Elmira, NY as well as the sports community  since 2006 when Robbie was the GM of the then Elmira Jackals and First Arena. When Robbie came on board the Jackals were coming off their worst attendance year as a franchise. In the following six years attendance would not dip below 3300 at First Arena making it the place to be on game nights as they led the ECHL in sellouts!


After leaving the Jackals the Nichols’ moved to take over the Elmira Pioneers. Initially with a partner they had a goal of mirroring the success Robbie had with the Jackals to a baseball franchise. Through hard work, determination, and a family atmosphere the Pioneers have led the PGCBL and rank second or third in the country averaging over 3,000 fans per home game.


Nellie Franco Nichols grew up in California, where she was a big LA Dodgers fan. “I love to see families getting outside and there is nothing better than going to a sporting event as a family.” Nellie’s rabid support of the franchise is second to none and a huge key to the success the team has had, which she carries over to FirstArena and the Elmira Enforcers.


The Nichols have 4 children, Tabbatha, Kane, Witley, and Donny and four beautiful grandchildren, Ava,Eliana, Bruno, and Jack. The Nichols have also been foster parents for over 20 years and have fostered many great children in the Elmira area.


“If you have room in your home and room in your heart, PLEASE become a Foster Parent.”

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Marc & Tabbatha Witt

Marc & Tabbatha Witt

Partners & General Manager

Marc & Tabbatha Witt have been with CAN-USA Sports since the organization started in 2018. Marc is from Erie PA and a graduate of Edinboro University.  He started his career in sports in the ECHL as an account executive for Elmira in 2011 before moving to Oklahoma City in the AHL as a Senior Account Executive the following season.  He was then with the Columbus Blue Jackets in the NHL as a Group Event Specialist leading them in sales for 3 seasons.  Marc then became the Vice President for the Binghamton Devils AHL franchise for 3 seasons before joining CAN-USA Sports. Tabbatha grew up in Michigan and has worked in the ECHL prior to her time at CAN-USA Sports.  She has been part of CAN-USA Sports since 2018 & is the mother of her and Marc’s four children.

Kane Cowper

Kane Cowper

Operations Manager

Kane is originally from Michigan and the father of two boys, Marshall and Miller with his high school sweetheart.  Kane has over 10 years of experience in the world of facility management.  He was solely responsible for all facility needs at the First Arena in Elmira New York from 2018-2021.  Kane has been with the Elmira Pioneers since 2018 and helps keep Dunn Field gorgeous & historic!

Batavia Muckdogs

Dewey

Dewey

Mascot

Born: 1939 - Batavia NY Favorite Food: Hotdogs at Dwyer Stadium Best Friend: Stitches (Elmira Pioneers Mascot) Favorite Song: "Where my dogs at" - DMX

Larry Hale

Larry Hale

Head Groundskeeper
Joey "Skipp" Martinez

Joey "Skipp" Martinez

Head Coach

Martinez returns to the PGCBL where he had success as the head coach of the Utica (NY) Blue Sox. In 2018, Joe team finished with a 25-21 record. Under Martinez’s leadership, the Blue Sox placed five players on the PGCBL All Star team and a host of players on the PGCBL All League list at the conclusion of the season. Joe’s team finished third in the PGCBL in team batting average and finished the year with the most single-season “walk off” wins in Blue Sox history.

Martinez returns to the PGCBL where he had success as the head coach of the Utica (NY) Blue Sox. In 2018, Joe team finished with a 25-21 record. Under Martinez’s leadership, the Blue Sox placed five players on the PGCBL All Star team and a host of players on the PGCBL All League list at the conclusion of the season. Joe’s team finished third in the PGCBL in team batting average and finished the year with the most single-season “walk off” wins in Blue Sox history.


In addition to his time managing in the PGCBL, Martinez has additionally served as the head instructor and assistant coach at the Frozen Ropes Baseball Academy, owner/operator of the Scorpion Baseball Academy, and assistant coach/hitting instructor in the Tidewater College Summer League. As a professional player, Joe played shortstop for the Detroit Tigers for two seasons and played in the AA Puerto Rico Winter League (1995-1996). Martinez played college baseball at the Borough of Manhattan Community College, earning All-Conference recognition both seasons and being voted Team Captain and MVP by his teammates. Joe hit a smooth .435 in his first season and .465 in his second season.

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Khalyd Cox

Khalyd Cox

Assistant Coach

Khalyd baseball at North River American and North River National Little Leagues & very thankful for the opportunity to coach and join Muckdogs nation. I am excited to start the season and do great things Khayld playing career started at Manatee High School 2013,2014 (First-team all area Herald Tribune 2014) & then to Savannah State University 2016,2017,2018, Hamptons Collegiate Baseball League, Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League - Utica Blue Sox 2018 (4th in league in hits, 2nd in league in Homeruns, 2018 PGCBL all-star), Empire Professional Baseball League, New York Bucks 2019, Tupper Lake Riverpigs 2021,2022 (2022 EPBL all-star, EPBL all-star game MVP).  He then spent time in the pros at Pecos Professional Baseball League, Salina Stockade 2020 &  Frontier Professional Baseball League, Empire State Greys 2022.  He then started his coaching carer with Bradenton RBI Juniors (13-15) 2017 moving to Texas College Steers 2019 & 2020.

Grant Bickham

Assistant Coach

Grant grew up In Lancaster, Ohio & played all the way through high school. After high school he enlist for The Marines rather than continuing a baseball career. Once he was through boot camp and placed in the fleet, he found the Camp Lejeune baseball team which he played for the entirety of my enlistment. Grant is currently earning my degree in Sports & Leisure studies and completing certifications in personal training, kinesiology, nutrition, motor preferences, driveline and yoga. 

Erik Moscicki

Erik Moscicki

Club House Manager

Erik is returning for his second year as the Clubhouse Manager. Moscicki, a 2018 graduate of Daemen University in Buffalo, NY, majored in health promotion and health and fitness. He plans on furthering his education as a PTA.  During his time at NCAA Division II Daemen, Moscicki served as the Daemen University Men’s Soccer Team. Erik was first introduced to professional baseball in high school when he shadowed the athletic trainer of the MiLB Batavia Muckdogs. He would often assist the Clubhouse Manager when he was not shadowing . Moreover, Erik gained more baseball experience in college when he spent a summer working with the Niagara Power, who were members of the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League (PGCBL) at the time. In addition to baseball, Erik’s favorite sports are hockey, golf, and football. His favorite professional sports teams are the Philadelphia Phillies (MLB), Buffalo Sabres (NHL), Buffalo Bills (NFL), and Boston Celtics (NBA). The Batavia, NY resident also serves as an assistant coach for the Batavia Notre Dame United High School Varsity Hockey Team during the fall and winter months.

Paul Spiotta

Paul Spiotta

PA Announcer

Paul resides in the Town of Batavia with his wife Janice. He has worked in the Batavia Muckdogs Press Box since 2013 performing a variety of duties including public address announcer, official scorer, and statistical administrator. He has been the full-time public address announcer for the Muckdogs since 2018 replacing the legendary Wayne Fuller. He has been the 'voice of Batavia High School Football' since the 2000 season and is also the Public Address announcer for the Batavia High School Basketball teams. He also has Public Address responsibilities for the Canisius University Soccer, Lacrosse, and Basketball teams. In addition, he is part of the WBTA broadcast team High School football and basketball.

Paul resides in the Town of Batavia with his wife Janice. He has worked in the Batavia Muckdogs Press Box since 2013 performing a variety of duties including public address announcer, official scorer, and statistical administrator. He has been the full-time public address announcer for the Muckdogs since 2018 replacing the legendary Wayne Fuller. He has been the 'voice of Batavia High School Football' since the 2000 season and is also the Public Address announcer for the Batavia High School Basketball teams. He also has Public Address responsibilities for the Canisius University Soccer, Lacrosse, and Basketball teams. In addition, he is part of the WBTA broadcast team High School football and basketball.


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Mike Burns

Mike Burns

DJ

Mike is a long time Batavia resident, professional geek and bass player for the Buffalo based band 'Triple Threat'. He will be up in the booth controlling the music and sound. 

Erica Grazioplene

Erica Grazioplene

Head Instructor - KMS Diamond Dance Team
Alicia McCarvill

Alicia McCarvill

Asst. GM
Message

Alicia McCarvill is from Thornwood, NY and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management and a concentration in Event and Facility Management. Alicia was hired after completing her internship with CAN-USA Sports property (Elmira Pioneers). While at SUNY Cortland, she worked in event operations for the Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey teams. For the past year and a half, she has worked in social media and graphic design for 1616, a program founded by two-time Stanely Cup Champion Andrew Ladd and his wife Brandy that focuses on mental and physical health in youth hockey.

Thomas Gaughan

Thomas Gaughan

Asst. GM & Box Office

Thomas Gaughan is from Baldwinsville, NY and is a recent graduate of St. Bonaventure University with a B.B.A. in Sport Management and is currently pursuing his Masters in Sport Administration. Last summer Thomas worked as the Director of Analytics and Stadium Operations with the Elmira Pioneers and will now be stepping into the role of Assistant General Manager and Box Office Manager for the Batavia Muckdogs. While at St. Bonaventure, he has been an active member in the Sport Management Club, where he worked the last two Super Bowls in Las Vegas and New Orleans.

Isabel Guerrette

Isabel Guerrette

Intern (Genesee CC)

Isabel Guerrette is from Weedsport, NY and graduated from Genesee CC with an Associate's in Business Administration and Social media marketing. While at Genesee CC  she played on the Women’s Volleyball team where she also managed and created content for their Instagram. This year she worked as a Social Media intern for the online learning department at GCC. She will be attending SUNY Brockport in the fall to obtain her Bachelor's degree in Marketing. 

Luca Geiss-Zicaro

Luca Geiss-Zicaro

Intern (SUNY Cortland)

Luca Geiss-Zicaro is from Syracuse, NY and is a graduate from SUNY Cortland with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sport Management. His time with SUNY Cortland gave him valuable real-world experience in event operations and community relations. This past year, he has collaborated with the Syracuse Orange Marketing team to further enhance the fan experience at Men’s and Women’s basketball and ice hockey events."

John Martin

John Martin

Intern (SUNY Cortland)

John Martin is from Jamesport, New York and is a recent SUNY Cortland graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management and a Concentration in Sport Media and Technology. During his time at Cortland, John created graphics and ran the social media accounts for the Club Ice Hockey team and participated in numerous other media projects throughout his course of study. He has been exploring the use graphic design and video editing since he was 11, with this passion evolving into a career

Kailey Stellrecht

Kailey Stellrecht

Intern (University of Tampa)

Kailey Stellrecht is from Clarence, NY, and a sophomore at the University of Tampa. There, she is studying to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management. In the Tampa area, she has been involved with the Bucs and Lightning organizations, helping out with special events and volunteer experiences. She enjoys the event operations and community relations aspects of these events and hopes to continue her involvement as she completes her undergraduate degree. 

Jake Rainess

Jake Rainess

Intern (Ithaca College)

Jake Rainess, a native of Holmdel, NJ, is a rising junior at Ithaca College, where he is pursuing a major in Sports Media with a minor in Journalism. Currently, Jake serves as a Sports Reporter for IC Radio, providing weekly on-air coverage of South Hill sports, including Ithaca College and Cornell University athletics, as well as national sports updates. Additionally, he works as a Camera Operator for ICTV, contributing to broadcasts such as Cornell’s Big Red Face Off and Newswatch.

Nikita Lohman

Nikita Lohman

Broadcaster

Nikita Lohman is from Maplewood, NJ and is a rising junior at Ithaca College, majoring in Sports Media and minoring in Journalism. At school, he serves as on-air talent on multiple shows for the Ithaca College Television Station and works behind the camera on another. Additionally, he does live game coverage and weekly sports recaps for the school radio station

Caleb Cousineau

Caleb Cousineau

Intern (SUNY Cortland)

Caleb Cousineau is from Webster, NY and a senior in Sport Management at SUNY Cortland. At SUNY Cortland, he was an announcer for the Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey teams and also a scoreboard/shot clock operator for the Men’s Lacrosse team. Most recently outside of school, he worked for the Buffalo Bills during training camp at St. John Fisher College in Rochester, NY.

Zachary Kaper

Intern (SUNY Cortland)

Nathan Canale

Nathan Canale

Intern (St. John Fisher University)

Nathan Canale is from Batavia, NY, and is currently enrolled at St. John Fisher University, where he is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management, with a minor in media and communications. He has spent the last three years working at Terry Hills Golf Course and has spent time working with the ProCamps organization. 

CAN-USA SPORTS ALUMNI