While the South Bend Cubs geared up for a head-to-head battle against the Cedar Rapids Kernels on Sunday, August 24, Surf Internet employees greeted the first 1,000 fans through the gate with free Chicago Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya bobbleheads as well as the latest on fiber-optic internet in the Michiana area.
Surf Internet attends South Bend Cubs 2025
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Based out of Elkhart, Surf Internet and its employees go to great lengths to be involved in their home community. Whether participating in cardboard boat races, supporting students exploring STEM activities, or helping to bring back holiday traditions, Surf Internet likes to be connected with the people it serves.
“One of the most exciting things about Surf Internet is our growth,” Faith Rumfelt, Surf Internet NWI regional marketing manager, said. “It’s incredibly validating because we know there’s a need for our services in our community. That’s why we’re present at things like this. We love supporting the community where they work, live, and play.”
To commemorate the game, Surf Internet employees began the night by giving away 1,000 bobbleheads of Amaya. In addition to providing a keepsake of the 2025 season, the giveaway gave Surf Internet’s employees an opportunity to chat with attendees.
On top of the bobbleheads, Surf Internet partnered with South Bend Cubs to give away over $1,000 worth of benefits to one lucky raffle winner. By entering at Surf Internet’s booth near Gate A, guests could win a day in a VIP suite complemented by 16 tickets, four parking passes, Cubs Cash for concessions, and a haul of Surf Internet merch.
Ryan Juran, one of the many Surf Internet representatives attending the game, is a long-time fan of the South Bend Cubs. The opportunity to connect with fellow fans while also getting the chance to share exciting information about his employer is one he’s been looking forward to.
“Earlier, our CEO Gene Crusie thanked me for working today, and I was like, ‘You don’t have to thank me for working at the ballpark on a day like today!’” Juran said. “I’ve been a baseball fan for as long as I can remember. I feel like I should be paying Surf Internet to be able to work today.”
Rumfelt even got a chance to join the game’s radio broadcast for an inning to share more about Surf Internet and the access it’s providing throughout Northern Indiana and surrounding areas.
“Right now, we’re doing expansions throughout Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan,” Rumfelt said. “There’s a new market everyday where people have no fiber internet option, and it’s really rewarding to bring that solution to them.”
Joe Hart, president of the South Bend Cubs, is always looking for ways to promote the South Bend Cubs’ corporate partners. Surf Internet ran a similar promotion last year and the year before to great success, so having them back out to connect with the community was a no-brainer.
“Surf Internet has been a great partner of the South Bend Cubs, and they are a pleasure to work with. To partner with them at the park for our bobblehead giveaway, which is one of our most popular giveaways, is a lot of fun for our fans,” Hart said. “I love that this gives our fans direct access to the Surf Internet staff and provides them with an opportunity to learn more about everything Surf Internet has to offer in a more relaxed setting.”
As fans took their seats to prepare for the game, local kindergartener Geo Bonin took the field to throw the first pitch of the game. Bonin became a local celebrity following his recent participation in Colossal’s Jr. Ranger competition, which saw kids across the country raise $6.5 million in support of the National Wildlife Federation.
“It was exciting to throw out the first pitch today!” Bonin said.
Surf Internet CEO Gene Crusie is always happy to see the fiber-optic internet provider get involved with its community, whether that’s chatting with fans over a commemorative gift or joining Midwest Family Broadcasting’s crew to talk about fiber during the radio broadcast of the game.
“Handing out bobbleheads and talking baseball might not sound like part of building a fiber company, but it is,” Crusie said. “It’s about showing up, being available, and staying connected with the people we serve.”
To learn more about Surf Internet or to check the availability of fiber in your area, visit surfinternet.com.