Black Bears

Black Bears’ Riggleman receives NYPL accolade

MORGANTOWN — West Virginia Black Bears assistant general manager Jackie Riggleman was named New York-Penn League Joann Weber female executive of the year.

Riggleman, 25, recently completed her third season with the Black Bears and her first as the club’s assistant general manager.

“This is a tremendously well-deserved honor for Jackie and one that showcases the hard work and commitment she has for providing Black Bears fans with the absolute best sports and family entertainment experience at Monongalia County Ballpark,” Jonathan A. Dandes, president of Rich Baseball Operations, said.

The Black Bears, a short-season, rookie-league affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, saw a 63 percent increase in group sales and a 65 percent increase in suite sales at Monongalia County Ballpark.

With Riggleman’s guidance, Black Bears’ players logged more than 350 hours of community service.

Along with ticketing and community relations, Riggleman oversees the Black Bears’ merchandise sales and media relations.

She also works with the accounting office and marketing department on orchestrating themed nights and sponsorship contracts.

Riggleman will be formally honored at this year’s baseball winter meetings, in Orlando Fla., in December.

Riggleman joined the Black Bears before their inaugural season in 2015, when the club won numerous ballpark awards for excellence and captured an NYPL championship.

She is a 2015 graduate of WVU’s College of Physical Activities and Sports Sciences, where she completed a master’s in sport management.