We’re excited to share the release of the latest episode of the View from the Top podcast! In this episode, Program Director Bill Lucci sits down with two Vermont legends: C.J. Knudsen, Senior Vice President of the Vermont Lake Monsters, and Tom Messner, retired meteorologist, now Host/Producer for Vermont Startup News and part-owner of the Lake Monsters.
This episode offers an incredible behind-the-scenes look at the lives of these two prominent figures and their fascinating careers in sports, weather, and business.
Highlights from Tom Messner’s Journey
Tom Messner’s voice and smile have become iconic to Vermonters after more than 30 years of weather forecasting on local television. In the podcast, Tom shares his start at a young age in radio and his unexpected jump to television when a local station held open auditions for a weekend weatherman. That audition changed everything for Tom, who went back to school for meteorology, earning his AMS certification while balancing multiple roles, including hosting the kids’ show, TV-50 Kaboose Klub.
Though retired, Tom reminisces about his time on air and his love for live, on-location broadcasts. He admits he kind of misses it but gets to scratch that itch with the Vermont Lake Monsters, where he now serves as an on-field personality. His new role brings together his passion for connecting with people and his love for sports, making the Lake Monsters not just about baseball, but a full entertainment experience for kids and families.
C.J. Knudsen’s Impressive Sports Career
C.J. Knudsen’s story is equally inspiring. A graduate of Keene State College, where he combined his love for sports and business, C.J. launched his career by selling gym memberships. He then landed an internship with the Vermont Expos, which led to a full-time position as assistant GM and, at just 25, he became the youngest General Manager in the league.
C.J. and the Vermont Lake Monsters have become a staple of Vermont’s sports scene, drawing in 90,000 visitors this year, and averaging 2,500 fans per game—the largest average attendance in the state! From fun promotions like 25-cent hotdog nights (where they sold 26,000 hotdogs in three nights!) to unique community events like the “Food Fight Night” between the Vermont Creemees and New England Lobster Rolls (Norwich Sea Unicorns), C.J. shares his mission to make each game day a memorable experience for all.
Not only is C.J. passionate about baseball, but also about giving back to the community. In 2023 alone, the Lake Monsters raised and donated over $100,000 to charity, making a positive impact across Vermont, not just in Burlington. One memorable moment C.J. shares is about a fan from Newport who lost his keys at a game—C.J. helped search the stadium for them to make sure he got home safely. With the distance, an Uber was out of the question!
More Than Just Baseball
The conversation is filled with personal stories and insights, including C.J.’s experience running his Rutland-based business, Grand Slam Signs, for over a decade, and his incredible work abroad. C.J. recounts how he brought baseball gear to Macedonia during a time of conflict to help bring joy and relief to the youth in the area, showing the power of sports to transcend borders and build community.
Listen to the episode blow, or on your favorite streaming platform here.
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