Staff

Robbie and Nellie Nichols are the owners of the Elmira Pioneers. The Nichols were proud partners of the Pioneers since 2012 and took sole ownership of the team in late 2017. Since taking over ownership, the Pioneers have gone from averaging one hundred fans per game to becoming one of the top three teams in the United States Collegiate Baseball Leagues in attendance. 

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 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!

Coach Drum is from Elmira New York and played at Southside High School (2006 STAC Champions).  He was a 2006 STAC West all-star and played college ball at Corning Community College and set a career Triples Record, single Season Triples Record, & Led the team in Stolen Bases (2009).  He finished his college career at SUNY Oneonta.  He has over 15 years' experience as a Hitting Instructor for 15.  Coached Upstate Chill Travel Baseball Team (2012-2015), the 2015 Dunn Field Classic Champions, Williamson High School JV (2015), Williamson High School Varsity (16-17).  At Williamson his teams were back-to-back district qualifiers (finished 3rd in district 4, 2017).  He has had 6 Players named all NTL, 6 Players named All Region Team.  Drum made his PGCBL debut with the Elmira Pioneers in 2017 as a hitting coach and was promoted to Asst. Head Coach in 2018 before taking over as the head coach in 2021. In his first season as full time head coach he led the Pioneers to a wild card spot in the PGCBL playoffs.

Coach Joe is a father of two and a lifelong Elmiran.  Baseball is his first love and began playing at age 3 and continued all the way through college at SUNY Corning & finishing with Ithaca College.  Brian is entering his 2nd season with the Pioneers coaching staff.

A.R.C. Instructor - Professional Rescuer CPR, FA, AED, Blood Borne Pathogens, 25 years+ of experience & is a graduate of Keene State College with a BS in Sports Medicine.  Brodie will be entering year two with the Elmira Pioneers.

Chris P. Bacon aka Bacon is a local guy that grew up in Elmira Heights, New York. He started his radio roots in Chemung County, New York while in high school, that’s when Bacon finally figured out what he wanted to do. After ten years in the Elmira/Corning Market, he was offered a chance to work in Miami-Fort Lauderdale. Bacon in the mid 1990's, he moved back to the area and went to work for an Elmira based broadcast company spending the next 23 years as an On-Air Mornings Jock playing Country, as well as, a Program Director, Music Director and a Production Director.
Over the past 3 years, Bacon has been heard on 99.5 WOKN (Country), and WLVY (Hot AC), as the most requested On-Air Personality at LIVE client Broadcasts and Station Promotional Events. Today, you will find him waking you up in the morning on 94.3 WLVY.

Alex Smith is from Horseheads, NY and has recently just finished his junior year at SUNY Fredonia majoring in Sport Management with minors in Business Admin, Communication Studies, and Athletic Coaching. While at Fredonia, Alex has interned at Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas, Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, as well as serving as the Hockey Operations Director for Fredonia’s NCAA DIII hockey team. Alex is returning to the Pioneers after he completed his internship last season and is excited for another season of Pios baseball!

Farrell Hudson is from Nyack, NY and is a current sophomore at Ithaca College, majoring in communications with a minor in business. In his first two years at Ithaca, Farrell has worked both in on and off-air roles with Ithaca College Television, WICB and VIC Radio, and “The Ithacan”, Ithaca College’s student-run newspaper. He has also worked as an assistant producer and content programmer for ESPN Ithaca 107.1 FM / 1160 AM, contributing to the weekly show “Between the Lines”. This is Farrell’s first summer with the Pioneers. 

Kaila Stefanini is from Corning, NY and is an undergraduate studying Advertising Photography at Rochester Institute of Technology. During her studies at RIT, she has experienced many unique opportunities in the field of sports photography, from photographing sporting events at RIT, to working for statewide competitions, such as Special Olympics NY. She aspires to work in digital media within professional sports, through capturing the true and raw emotions of my subject in a powerful storytelling manner.

Graham Cook is from Painted Post, NY, and graduated from Houghton University with a double Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, and Communications with a concentration in Digital Media Marketing. While at Houghton, he had the chance to serve as the Assistant Resident Director, and Dining Services Social Media Manager, as well as participate as a Division 3 athlete. Through these roles, he enhanced his interpersonal, administrative, and marketing skills to ensure efficient processes and people. 

Justin Cavosi is from Massapequa, New York and is an undergraduate senior at SUNY Farmingdale studying Sports Management. During his junior year he had a broadcasting internship at Long Island University operating the TV cameras and doing TV graphics. Afterwards he turned it into a career becoming an independent contractor at LIU and has  moved on to Stony Brook University. During his time in these roles he has learned how broadcasting within college sports operates and has developed technological skills required in the broadcasting industry

Julia Benton is from Addison, NY and is expected to graduate from SUNY Cortland in May of 2028 with a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management. Currently, she is a competitive member of the varsity cross-country and track programs at SUNY Cortland. Julia has also been named to the SUNY Cortland Dean’s List for the Fall 2024 semester. Additionally, she has worked with local youth soccer programs and the “Girls on the Run” organization through volunteering her time to support the growth of youth sport and exercise.

Jenna is from Elmira, NY, and is currently a student at Niagara University, where she is pursuing a degree in Sports Management with minors in Business and Marketing. At Niagara University, Jenna has been involved in athletics, working with both the men's and women's basketball teams, as well as the volleyball team. In addition to her work at Niagara, Jenna has also gained valuable experience through an internship with the Elmira Aviators, as well as managing the social media accounts for PHD Dance Studio.  Whether it’s working on the field or behind the scenes, she is committed to growing in her field and using her skills to promote and manage sports teams and events.

Ben Leary is from Owego, NY and a Freshman Sports media major at Ithaca college. So far at Ithaca he has worked with the creative media team. This is his first summer with the Pioneers!

Poppy Ruland is from Corning, New York and is a junior at Siena College graduating in 2026 with a degree in Sports Communication. Currently she is an active member of the Damietta Cross Cultural Center, which helps foster an inclusive community. She also supports the women's rugby team, using her organizational skills and dedication to teamwork to build the team to success. With a deep interest in directly supporting athletes, she aims to leverage her passion for sports and business to grow communities, create meaningful connections, and make a lasting impact both on and off the field.