A chat with the governor of Brohio (updated)

Nick Swisher and Adam Gockowski, the governor of Brohio

Just before the All-Star break during the 2013 baseball season, the Indians began to refer to Section 117 of Progressive Field as “Brohio” in homage to Nick Swisher and his fans. The team recently held a contest to choose a fan to represent that section as the “governor of Brohio,” whose duties will be to lead cheers in the section for all Friday and Saturday home games. Those who wanted the job were invited to submit a short video to make their case, and then fans voted to select their top four candidates. During Tribe Fest 2014, those candidates got to make their pitch in front of Swisher himself.

Swisher selected 24-year-old Adam Gockowski to be the governor. Gockowski, a native of Twinsburg and a graduate of Kent State University, currently lives in Lakewood. I recently contacted Gockowski to see if he would answer a few questions for IPL, and he graciously agreed.

IPL: I’ve never spoken to a governor before. Congratulations!
AG: Thank you! It’s an honor to hold the office (laughing).

IPL: I assume you have another job in addition to being governor.
AG: Yes, I work for University Tees in Lakewood as a video producer.

IPL: That had to have helped when it came time to make a video for your candidacy. Why do you think you got the nod over the other three candidates?
AG: I think I got it on my personality alone. Once you meet me, it doesn’t take long for you to realize what a big Tribe fan I am. I like to think that my enthusiasm for the Indians is contagious, and I guess that showed in my presentation.

IPL: Do you remember the first time you saw an Indians game in person?
AG: I sure do. It was on Saturday, July 2, 1994, against the Twins, when I was 4 or 5 [Author’s note: he was 4]. The Indians won and Albert Belle hit a home run, and from that day on I was hooked.

IPL: You grew up at a good time to be an Indians fan. They won a lot of games during that era. How many games do you see in a year?
AG: I think I saw 15 games last year. I’ve caught Indians games in 11 different ballparks.

IPL: Nice! I’ve got tickets for an Indians-Giants game at AT&T Park this April.
AG: You’ll love it out there. That’s a great park.

IPL: Forgive me if this is a little too personal, but is there a First Lady of Brohio?
AG: (laughing) Yes, there is. I’m not married, but there is someone special whom I’ve been seeing.

IPL: What kind of perks do you get as governor?
AG: Well, a ticket to every Friday and Saturday home game. I’m not sure if I’ll get a second ticket for a friend. That’s yet to be determined.

IPL: Have you gotten any Indians swag?
AG: Swisher sent me a Brohio t-shirt.

IPL: Has he given you any advice about how to carry out your duties?
AG: I haven’t spoken to him in person since Tribe Fest. He’s been kind of busy! But we’ve tweeted at each other a few times. I’m sure I’ll get to talk to him in person again once the regular season starts.

IPL: Thanks for your time, Adam. Do you have anything you want to say to our readers?
AG: Just that they should come to the ballpark this season and support the team. If they sit in Section 117 when I’m there, I’m going to do everything I can to make sure they enjoy themselves and leave with a great experience.

You can follow Gockowski on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Foulpoles11 (that’s his current Twitter handle; the Indians will set him up with a new one for his gubernatorial duties later), on Instagram at http://instagram.com/agockow2, and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/acey.mcglockstar.

UPDATE: Adam’s new Twitter handle, which he’ll use during his term as governor, is @Brohiogov.