The Auburn community is buzzing about the Savannah Bananas coming to Plainsman Park
on Saturday, Oct. 25 to compete in a fall exhibition baseball game against the Auburn
Tigers. For Lian Leduc (’23), it’s a full-circle moment where her career and alma
mater converge in an exciting way.
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In her role with the Savannah Bananas, Lian Leduc (marketing '23) ensures that the
team's most loyal fans have a one-of-a-kind experience and feel appreciated and valued.
She'll return to Auburn Oct. 25 for the exhibition game vs the Auburn Tigers at Plainsman
Park.
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Fans first
Leduc first discovered her love for sports communication and marketing while participating
in an undergraduate internship with Auburn Athletics, where she gained both a hands-on
experience working with a large sports organization and a better understanding of
all the career options the field had to offer.
Shortly after graduating from the Harbert College of Business with her bachelor’s
degree in marketing and minor in sports communications, Leduc followed her passion
to Savannah, Georgia, where she began working with the Savannah Bananas baseball team.
As the organization’s ticket experience coordinator, Leduc said she “serves the members
of our K Club, who we affectionally refer to as ‘the Greatest Fan Club in sports.’
Our mission is ‘Fans First. Entertain Always.’ And it is my responsibility to provide
our most loyal fans with a one-of-a-kind experience and ensure that they feel appreciated
and valued.”
The business of Banana Ball
Banana Ball, the fast-paced, exuberant version of baseball created by Bananas’ owner
Jesse Cole, has quickly become the most entertaining game in sports. It strips away
the often-criticized lulls and lengthy pauses typical of traditional baseball, delivering
a high-energy and entertainment-packed game that keeps both players and fans on their
toes.
Despite their exponential growth over the last few years, the Bananas have stayed
true to their ‘Fans First’ mission and continue to create an exceptional fan experience.
Leduc credits her education from the Harbert College, as well as her involvement in
student organizations with helping her understand the importance of customer service
and how each person plays an important role in building a brand’s positive reputation.
“Serving on the Executive Society and Student Business Council gave me the opportunity
to improve my customer service skills and gain a better understanding of what it means
to be a brand ambassador,” Leduc said. “The skills I learned at Harbert have directly
translated into my current career.”
When the 2025 season is over, the Bananas will have breakdanced, backflipped and delighted
millions of fans. And although the athletes on the field garner the media attention
and viral videos, it is talented business professionals like Leduc that keep the Bananas
machine running smoothly.
Don’t miss Auburn baseball host the Banana Ball All-Stars in a fall exhibition game
at Plainsman Park on Saturday, Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. CT. The two teams will play under
Banana Ball rules, and the contest will be broadcast for free on the Bananas’ YouTube channel.
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