Will Hibbard of the Wilson Tobs Named 2017 Coastal Plain League Broadcaster of the Year

Updated August 28 2017
HOLLY SPRINGS, N.C.

The Coastal Plain League announced today, August 28, that Will Hibbard of the Wilson Tobs has been named the 2017 Coastal Plain League Broadcaster of the Year. This was Hibbard’s first season with the Tobs and the CPL.

“It’s a huge honor for me to receive this award,” said Hibbard. “There were a number of broadcasters this summer that I think can make successful careers in the industry, so I have to thank them for pushing me to do my absolute best. I’d like to thank the Wilson Tobs for giving me a chance to call a summer of exciting action, and I’d also like to thank Tobs fans everywhere who not only tuned in to games but also voted for me for this award.”

Hibbard earned this honor by showing outstanding professionalism in all phases of the job throughout the season. This included conducting interviews with players and team personnel and writing nightly game recaps in addition to calling the games each night. It was the fan vote however, that really showed why he deserved the award as he earned 70 percent of the vote receiving phrase for his knowledge of the game and ability to make the listeners feel as though they were at the game. The CPL’s Director of Broadcasting Chris Edwards had similar sentiments when asked to evaluate Hibbard’s work.

“Will has a tremendous ability to communicate the action on the field in a way in which all of his listeners of all ages and weather or not you truly know baseball, you are still able to enjoy the game because Will does such a good job of painting that mental picture and providing so many details about the action both on and off the field,” noted Edwards. “His ability to present the game in such a way that makes it easy for the listener demonstrates an advanced skill set on the air and without question, he has a bright future in the broadcasting industry.”

Hibbard has called Denison University football as well as men’s and women’s basketball games since the fall of 2015 for the Denison Sports Network, while also serving as a student assistant with the Sports Information office. Prior to his summer in the CPL, he worked as the PA Announcer for the Burlington Royals of the Appalachian League in summer 2016. His goal is to one day radio broadcast Major League Baseball games, and is currently working on getting into the professional ranks to begin his post-collegiate career.

The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s premier summer collegiate baseball league. Set to begin its 22nd season in 2018, the CPL features 16 teams playing in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The CPL has had over 1,400 alumni drafted and 108 of those – including 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young winner Justin Verlander – make their Major League debut; while another notable alum – Russell Wilson – won Super Bowl XLVIII. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com and follow us via Twitter @CPLBaseball.

Contact:

Shelby Hilliard

Phone:

919-576-4049