By Jenna Kersten ’17
Andrew Lang ’15 is a Siena Saint that proves you don’t have to be a Division I athlete to pursue your passion for sports. Lang merged his academic interests with his love for America’s pastime through an internship at the Albany Institute of History and Art.
As a Standish Honors Fellow and dual major in history and American studies, Lang was already an academic all-star. Then, during his internship last fall, Lang got the big league opportunity to play a major curatorial role in the creation of a three-part exhibit on the history of baseball in the Capital Region.
It features an exhibit sponsored by the Bank of America’s Art in our Communities program called “Baseball: America’s Game” and two community-based exhibits: “Play Ball! Baseball in the Capital Region” and “The Clubhouse: Baseball Memorabilia.”
“I learned a lot about all the different facets involved in putting an exhibit together,” Lang said. “I really enjoyed being fully immersed in the process.”
Albany Institute of History and Art Executive Director Tammis K. Groft was Lang’s supervisor. She appreciated his knowledge and the excitement he brought to the project.
“I was talking to him one day about the exhibit and his ears perked up. It became crystal clear that he knew more about baseball than I did,” Groft said. “He was just an amazing intern.”
Lang became a true utility player for the Albany Institute of History and Art. He spent last semester researching the history of baseball teams in New York’s Capital Region and the role they played in the community. He also sifted through the artifacts and memorabilia and found stories he could connect with the “Play Ball” exhibit.
“The key is creating that narrative,” Lang said. “It’s finding that core element of what each piece means to the community.”
The in-depth experience was a home run for Lang, who wants to pursue a career in public history.
“Every town, every hamlet has their own history. These institutions have a role, not only in preserving the local history, but in getting locals interested in their own history,” Lang said. “Being a part of that is something that I’d like to do.”
“Triple Play: Baseball at the Albany Institute” will be on display in the Albany Institute of History and Art until July 26.
