Front Office
Sam Oppenheim - Director of Communications / Play-By-Play Broadcaster 
Sam is excited for his second season with the Generals as the Director of Communications and Play-By-Play Broadcaster for summer 2019. A resident of Lisle, Illinois, he is a proud Naperville North High School alum and a current Syracuse University student.
Sam is a rising junior at Syracuse and a Broadcast and Digital Journalism major in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. Sam works for SU through the ACC Network Extra. He worked over 85 telecasts this year as an associate producer, producer or bug operator for Syracuse DI sporting events. Also, Sam is on staff at WJPZ for Z89 Sports, where he calls play-by-play, hosts, does sports updates and helps in other areas of broadcasts. And, he is a member of the prestigious WAER sports department, the NPR-affiliate in Syracuse. His voice can also be heard on Syracuse men's hockey and Le Moyne athletics broadcasts.
In his time at Naperville North, he did play-by-play for football and basketball games for all four years. During his senior year, Sam was the sports editor of the school newspaper. Also, he worked for Comcast SportsNet Chicago (CSN Chicago) for multiple IHSA football games as a red hat.
Sam is excited to provide play-by-play commentary for the Generals this season, as well as assist in other media roles.
Don Popravak - General Manager
A 28-year resident of the Village of Flossmoor, Don was born in Chicago on July 17, 1959. He was raised on the city’s industrial Southeast side less than 3 miles from Downtown Whiting in a working class family where he learned the values of hard work and commitment to the community. His grandfather worked for U.S. Steel for 45 years, and his father was a Chicago police officer for 23 years while his mother was involved with their grade school parent organization.
In the fall of 1977, Don enrolled at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. While at DePauw, he majored in Communications. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1981, thus becoming the first member of his family to graduate from college. Don’s work ethic was evident in these years, as he worked hard to help finance his college education by holding down two jobs on campus during all four years at DePauw. Don also participated in all aspects of campus life while at the university: he was a member of the baseball and football teams for four years and won varsity letters in both sports three times. After his graduation from DePauw University, Don began a 30-year career in advertising sales and marketing.
Intertwined with Don’s business career is his passion for volunteering. In addition to working with and mentoring youth since 1977, he has spent many hours serving his alma mater and other worthwhile organizations.
Amir Wright
ManagerA familiar face to both the town of Griffith and the Northern League is taking over the top step in the Griffith Generals’ dugout as the team has announced that Amir Wright will serve as its manager beginning with the upcoming 2024 season.
Wright, who was a standout outfielder for the Northwest Indiana Oilmen in 2017, 2018 and 2023, played for the Generals in 2020 as part of his longstanding affiliation with the league. The 2016 Griffith High School graduate was also recently named the head varsity baseball coach at his alma mater, a role he will hold concurrently with his Generals’ managerial duties.
“I am beyond thrilled to name Amir Wright the manager of the Griffith Generals,” Club President Don Popravak said. “We are proud of everything Amir has accomplished during his playing career, and we can’t wait to see him impart his baseball knowledge on the next generation of Northern League talent. We have had a chance to see Amir grow and evolve from the time he first played in our league in 2017, and managing his hometown team is the next logical progression in his baseball career.”
Wright, who signed to play professionally with the Evansville Otters of the Frontier League last offseason and was part of the team before rejoining the Oilmen, had collegiate playing stops at Saint Joseph’s College, Saint Leo University and Ball State University.
“It’s been different to transition into a coaching role,” Wright said. “You’re so used to playing, preparing and getting your body right every day. I did that for over 18 years. Now, I’m preparing practice plans and making sure my players are doing things the right way. It’s been a smooth transition into coaching, and the people around me have provided tremendous support.”
The Wrights have been among the families most connected to the Northern League in the league’s history as Amir’s younger brothers A.J. and Aydin have both played in the league as well.
“When I think of the Northern League and everything that I’ve experienced there, the first thing that comes to mind that I’m most grateful for is the relationships that I’ve built and the people that I’ve met,” Wright said. “A lot of times in the summer, you’re working on things to get better. There are a lot of great people from this area. Going into a managerial role, I’m excited to be on the other side and help players reach their goals over the summer. I’m not that far from being a player, so I feel like I will be a players’ coach and focus on helping them get better.”
The opportunity to lead both Griffith High School and the Griffith Panthers in his hometown makes the start of Wright’s coaching career extra special.
“It’s a blessing; you can’t make it up,” Wright said. “It’s all God; all the glory to Him. I never thought I’d get the opportunity to coach both college and high school in my hometown and have a chance to represent the community as a whole. I couldn’t pass it up. I want to represent my hometown, my family and my community the best way I possibly can, and that’s what I’m going to try to do.”
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