A single water droplet forms and grows heavy enough to plunge to the granite floor and slip into the drain located in the middle of numerous showers. The echo of more droplets simultaneously falling is paired with the noise of towels bouncing in the washing machines and the fading of voices, as the athletes file out of the clubhouse after a long night at Hadlock Field.
Portland Sea Dogs Director of Clubhouse Services and Equipment Manager, Mike Coziahr, and his assistant, Sydney Miller, remain behind until tasks are completed ahead of players and staff reporting for another long day of work for Boston’s Double-A affiliate.
137 miles south of Portland in Worcester, Massachusetts, Jill Chelton and the clubhouse staff for Boston’s Triple-A Team, the WooSox, are going through the motions to complete similar tasks.
Jill Chelton and Sydney Miller are the names of two women making history in the Red Sox minor league system as the first female clubhouse assistants for their respective affiliates.
Recently, I have been thinking about how the support behind women in sports has grown since I entered the industry several years ago. I continuously see women casted in the spotlight and praised for their incredible accomplishments; and feel grateful to witness all the history being made. However, I can’t help but wonder about the names of notable women that slip through the cracks because individuals do not hear their voices on the radio, see their faces on television, or read their name in a byline.
To get to know more about them, I spoke with both Jill and Sydney regarding what it means to hold these roles, their journey through the sports industry so far, and what they hope to accomplish down the road.
Jill’s Journey
A Concord, Massachusetts native, Jill joined the Worcester Red Sox clubhouse staff for the 2024 season after spending the previous three years with the Portland Sea Dogs as a concessions employee. She graduated from Saint Anselm with a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and a minor in Forensics, while competing for the university’s softball program. Currently, Jill is pursuing a masters in Sport Management at Northeastern.
Since Jill is residing in Massachusetts to attend graduate school, she was looking to participate in an internship closer to home.
“I held a sports management job while I was at Saint Anselm and was interested in getting involved with the WooSox,” Jill said. “So when I saw this opportunity I applied but wasn’t sure what was going to happen.”
The application process for the clubhouse assistant role consisted of submitting a resume and answering questions before going through a first round interview that eventually led to a second round interview, paired with a tour of the facility.
The Manager of Clubhouse & Baseball Operations, Mario Oliveira, has seven assistants total for the season. When hiring for the position, he was looking for someone with a solid work ethic, who would also mesh well with the rest of the group.
“I had over 200 applications sent in for the position,” Mario said. “But after speaking with Jill I knew she was the perfect candidate because she has great experience and a personality that fits right in.”
Once she was hired, this made her the first woman in WooSox history to hold a position in the clubhouse.
“When I was offered the position I couldn’t have been more excited, I knew it was going to be a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Jill said. “But, overall it was going to be a new experience for not just me but the players and staff too.”
Roughly three hours before first pitch, Jill arrives at the ballpark and begins to set up necessary materials in the dugout, helps facilitate the pregame meal, restocks drinks, and makes sure towels are clean. After the game, she readies the postgame meal, and helps breakdown and organize everything to set the clubhouse up for another day of success. Additionally, she is in charge of helping the umpire crew for each series.
Though, this is not her first time working in a male-dominated setting. As an underclassmen in high school, Jill was part of the football team as a kicker. While she was not the first girl in her high school's history to become a member of the program, she was the only one on the roster for the two years she participated.
“Since I had been around guys in a locker room setting before, it was not too unfamiliar before starting this job.”Jill said.
The minor league baseball season is roughly over halfway over, but it was apparent to Mario right away that Jill is going to be successful in whatever she pursues.
“I look at Jill as I would any member on my staff,” Mario said. “Jill has had an amazing work ethic since day one and will without a doubt have a bright future.”
After she graduates with her masters degree, Jill hopes to remain in the sports industry by pursuing community relations and sports media roles.
Sydney’s Story
Hailing from Hoosick Falls, New York, Sydney made the trek to Maine after transferring into a master’s program for athletic training at the University of New England. She earned a bachelor's degree in exercise from SUNY Potsdam, where she was also a member of the softball team.
Since she was in the Portland area to take summer classes, Sydney decided to look closer into opportunities with the Sea Dogs.
“I think I applied to just about everything that was open on the Sea Dogs website,” Sydney said. “When I applied to work in the clubhouse I remember thinking that I was underqualified, and probably would not hear back about the position.”
Mike Coziahr reached out to Sydney for a brief phone call before arranging a face-to-face conversation. After speaking with Sydney in-person, Mike concluded their meeting by offering her the job.
Accepting the job made Sydney the first female clubhouse assistant in Portland Sea Dogs history.
“I was super excited when Mike offered me the job,” Sydney said. “I immediately called my parents and friends to let them know about the amazing opportunity I had just received.”
Even though Sydney is not unfamiliar to a locker room setting due to growing up as an athlete, it was the first time she was going to be working in a primarily male dominated environment.
Mike instantly knew she would fit right in, and made sure everyone was going to be respectful of her while on the job.
“I knew I would not have to be worried as she is very mature, conducts herself well, and knows her way around a locker room," Mike said. “I made sure the athletes and coaches knew to respect her space as she knows to respect theirs.”
Sydney arrives at the ballpark two hours before first pitch to set up the pregame meal, refill snack stations, restock water bottles, and make sure the kitchen area is clean. As the athletes pack up and leave, she starts to help Mike with washing and drying uniforms and towels, and cleaning up anything else before returning the following afternoon.
“Sydney has exceeded all my expectations, going above and beyond everyday on the job.” Mike said. “She has a very calming presence and I believe she relates well to the athletes, as she was one herself.”
Next spring, Sydney is set to graduate with her masters degree in athletic training. In the future she hopes to work for a professional baseball or college softball team, and has interest in potentially pursuing a doctorate degree in chiropractic sports.
Luckily, being in the clubhouse has also led to more experience with her desired profession as she has the opportunity to learn more from the Sea Dogs athletic trainers.
“I am always asking them for advice or help with certain things in my schoolwork,” Sydney said. “It is cool to see what they are doing because I can apply it to when I serve as an athletic trainer.”
Once in a Lifetime
Not only did both Sydney and Jill grow up as athletes and participate on collegiate softball teams, but also grew up big baseball fans; particularly rooting for Boston’s success. For these two, this made accepting the job just that more special.
“Growing up I was a huge Red Sox fan and went to games during the summer with my family,” Jill said. “Those memories made at Red Sox games were a huge part of my childhood.”
“My parents are Yankees fans so I decided at a young age I wanted to be different, my favorite player was Manny Rameriz,” Sydney said. “Working for a Boston affiliate makes me so happy because it feels like a full circle moment.”
The pair expressed that not only have they enjoyed learning about the behind-the-scenes details of catering to a baseball team, but forming relationships and making memories that will last a lifetime.
“It has been great to get to know more about the players, meet their families, and watch them live out their dream,” Sydney said. “The guys took me in really quickly after the first day, and I’ve become like a proud big sister whenever they do really well.”
“Interacting with the players has been a fun experience, it's nice to see them in a different element,” Jill said. “Through the season I have been able to learn more about their stories and form a bond that has made the job enjoyable.”
Paving the Path
Now seems like the time to be a woman in sports in any capacity. Nothing has made my heart smile more this year than seeing thousands of young girls hold posters for Caitlin Clark at a WNBA game, or the positive buzz around Jenny Carver becoming the first female play-by-play announcer in the history of Major League Baseball.
I wish I could go back and hug my younger self who was laughed at when she told individuals she wanted to work in sports, particularly baseball. I would tell her that while it is going to be a long journey to achieve her dreams, it is not impossible, and she is going to meet the most incredible women to shatter glass ceilings with.
Jill and Sydney both hope to help pave the path for young girls who are wanting to pursue this type of position one day.
“It has been really awesome to have the support from everyone in Worcester, holding this role feels like an honor,” Jill said. “I would tell all the girls and women to just keep trying, the worst thing anyone can do is say no.”
“Just send it (application), you never know unless you try,” Sydney said. “I did not think I was good enough to get this job, but now here I am and I don’t want the season to end.”
In the years to come, I am looking forward to seeing the growth of women in sports in roles at any level. But I hope that women occupying roles both in the public eye and not are idolized and celebrated for their hard work and success.
If you can see her, you can be her.
Comments