Cookeville Flying Frogs Name Phil Hopewell General Manager

Cookeville, TN — The Cookeville Flying Frogs are proud to announce Phil Hopewell as the organization’s General Manager, bringing a dynamic background in leadership, business, and baseball to the franchise as it prepares for its inaugural season.

Hopewell steps into the role energized by the opportunity to build something from the ground up in Cookeville.

“I think the most exciting thing for me is that it’s year one,” said Hopewell. “There is nothing more rewarding than building something from the ground up and seeing it grow.”

As the Flying Frogs begin their first season, Hopewell is focused on creating an atmosphere that extends beyond the game itself. “Fans should expect really good energy from this organization,” he said. “We hope they bring that same energy to the ballpark. When players, staff, and fans are all aligned with good vibes, the results on the field will follow.”

For Hopewell, the opportunity represents a return to two lifelong passions—leadership and baseball. “I’ve been waiting for the right opportunity to get back into baseball, and this felt like perfect timing,” he said. “Leadership and baseball have been constants in my life, so this was a natural fit.”

Originally from Florence, South Carolina, Hopewell’s connection to the game began at an early age, including working as a teenager on the scoreboard for the Florence RedWolves—now known as the Florence Flamingos—of the Coastal Plain League. He was a multi-sport athlete in high school, earning team MVP honors three times in baseball.

Hopewell went on to graduate from the University of South Carolina in 2009 and remained involved in the game through the Columbia chapter of the Men’s Adult Baseball League (MABL), where he served as a player, assistant coach, and eventually Vice President in 2018.

His professional career has been rooted in leadership and business, including time as General Manager and later Managing Partner of the Salty Nut Cafe in Columbia, South Carolina. Since relocating to Middle Tennessee in 2019, Hopewell has been active in the community through the real estate industry and currently serves as a Managing Broker.

Off the field, Hopewell enjoys spending time with his wife, Lauren, and their daughter, Ella June.

With a strong foundation in leadership, community engagement, and a lifelong love of the game, Hopewell is poised to guide the Cookeville Flying Frogs into a successful and exciting first season.

The Flying Frogs look forward to building a program that combines high-energy baseball with a strong connection to the Cookeville community.