Giavotella bringing change to Privateer Baseball
On the eve of the University of New Orleans’ First Pitch Gala, someone asked Johnny Giavotella a question that perfectly captures the modern state of college baseball.
What exactly does a General Manager of a college program do?
Giavotella didn’t hesitate.
“My range of responsibilities is anywhere from post game meal procurement to generating money for NIL purposes and paying players when they’re worthy of it and keeping players at UNO. It’s a wide range of activities, and my main thing is to take care of all that stuff so our coaches can only work on developing and getting our players game ready.”
That tells you almost everything you need to know about where UNO baseball has been — and where it’s trying to go.
Tonight, in New Orleans, the Privateers will host a sold-out First Pitch Gala featuring Buck Showalter as the keynote speaker. The room will be filled with alumni, donors, baseball lifers, and a private auction list that feels more like a Major League clubhouse than a college fundraiser: signed memorabilia from Mike Trout, Albert Pujols, George Brett, Bobby Witt Jr., Bo Jackson, Salvador Perez, and more.
It’s impressive on the surface. But more importantly, it’s revealing.
This isn’t just about a banquet or an auction. It’s about rebuilding a program from the inside out.
A Program on the Brink
Not long ago, UNO baseball was dangerously close to disappearing.
Financial pressure, uncertainty, and years removed from national relevance had pushed the program toward the edge. For a school with legitimate baseball history — including NCAA Regional appearances in the mid-2000s — the possibility of folding was a sobering reality.
Giavotella’s hiring as General Manager wasn’t symbolic; it was necessary.
UNO didn’t need another title or a ceremonial alumni role. It needed someone who could stabilize operations, reconnect the program to its community, and modernize how college baseball programs actually function in 2026.
That’s the context Giavotella stepped into and the mandate he accepted.
Why the GM Model Is Vital Now
College baseball has changed. Quietly, steadily, and then all at once.
Programs today aren’t just competing on the field. They’re competing in NIL education, donor trust, roster retention, transfer portal navigation, travel logistics, nutrition, branding, and player experience. The old model — where one head coach carried everything — isn’t realistic anymore.
That’s where the General Manager role comes in.
At UNO, Giavotella touches nearly every layer of the program: fundraising and donor engagement, NIL structures and education, alumni relations, travel, meals, daily operations, and roster support in the portal era.
It’s not glamorous work, but it’s foundational.
And it’s exactly the kind of infrastructure that programs need before wins can become sustainable.
The Auction List Is the Signal
The Major League–level auction list for the First Pitch Gala didn’t happen by accident.
Items from Trout, Pujols, Brett, Witt Jr., Altuve, Bo Jackson, Salvador Perez, and others require relationships, credibility, and trust — especially at the professional level. That kind of access sends a clear message to players, recruits, donors, and fans alike:
UNO baseball is connected again.
It tells families that this program understands the professional landscape. It tells players they’re part of something respected beyond campus. And it tells donors that the people running the program know how to steward value.
In modern college baseball, perception is everything — because perception influences resources, and resources influence results.
The Product on the Field Is Still the Test
None of this is meant to dodge the obvious truth.
At some point, you still have to win games.
Giavotella knows that. The coaching staff knows that. The players feel it every day. Culture, fundraising, and NIL can create opportunity, but performance validates everything.
The encouraging sign is that UNO has been intentional about roster construction. The program has worked the transfer portal, added new pieces, and focused on building depth and competitiveness heading into the season. The foundation off the field is finally being matched by real attention to the product on it.
That’s when rebuilds become real.
Why Louisiana Baseball Is Better When UNO Is Good
There’s also a broader point here — one that is bigger than any single program.
Healthy competition in Louisiana baseball is good for everyone.
When I was playing, UNO games were intense. The crowds were into it. The rivalries were real. Players like TJ Baxter gave that program a real edge, and those games carried weight. They were loud, physical, emotional, and fun — exactly what college baseball is supposed to be.
When programs across the state are strong, everyone benefits: players, fans, recruits, and the game itself. Rebuilding UNO isn’t just about one school; it’s about restoring balance and energy to a baseball ecosystem that thrives on competition.
The Real Work Is Already Happening
Tonight’s gala is a visible milestone — a moment that signals stability, momentum, and belief. It’s a sign that the program is organized, supported, and moving forward.
But the real work happens away from the spotlight: in donor meetings, roster conversations, NIL education sessions, long bus rides, and midweek games where culture is tested.
That’s where Giavotella’s “everything and anything” approach matters most.
From where it stands now, UNO baseball finally has structure, leadership, and a modern vision aligned with where the sport is headed — not where it used to be.
The season ahead will tell the rest of the story.
And for fans of baseball in New Orleans and across Louisiana, that’s a story worth watching
For those looking to support the next chapter of Privateer Baseball, the First Pitch Gala auction is live. From iconic Major League memorabilia to one-of-a-kind items, every bid directly supports the continued rebuilding and sustainability of the program. Fans, alumni, and supporters can view and bid on available items here: UNO Baseball 2026 First Pitch Gala Silent Auction
