Jordan “Boomer” Gonder: Rooted in Midland from courtroom to ballpark

Jordan “Boomer” Gonder balances two very different stages of the courtroom and the baseball field. Whether interning at the Midland County Prosecutor’s Office or announcing for the Great Lakes Loons at Dow Diamond, his mission remains the same: giving back to the community that raised him.

Gonder, now entering his third year at Wayne State University Law School, has deep roots in Midland. As an undergraduate student at Central Michigan University, he interned at Shelterhouse, a nonprofit serving survivors of domestic and sexual violence, and later at the 75th District Court. Encouragement from judges and supervisors pushed him toward law school, where he has thrived despite the challenges.

“It has been the fastest, longest two years of my life. It’s definitely been a challenge, but it’s made me into a better human being overall,” he says.

Alongside coursework, Gonder has spent the past year and a half interning at the Midland County Prosecutor’s Office. He credits the experience with preparing him for real-world practice. “Law school doesn’t teach you how to be a lawyer. It teaches you how to think like one. But without being back here in Midland, I’d never be prepared to step into a courtroom.”

Gonder, who plans to take the bar exam in July 2026, hopes to remain in Midland to practice criminal law. He says he would be equally open to roles as a prosecutor or defense attorney, or even opening a private firm with colleagues. “Really, the goal is to work in criminal law, be involved in Midland, and help people.”

While law represents one half of Gonder’s life, the other is firmly rooted in baseball. His father became the Loons’ announcer in 2007, the team’s inaugural season, and Gonder grew up learning the ropes inside the production booth. By the time he was old enough for a work permit, he was on staff. Gonder is the oldest of three sons of the late Gerald Gonder, known professionally as Jerry O’Donnell, who served as the Loons’ PA announcer for their first 15 seasons through 2022. Gerald Gonder died in April of 2024 after battling cancer. 

Over the years, he has operated cameras, run audio, and eventually stepped into the announcer’s role himself. Today, he is the voice many fans hear at Dow Diamond. “They told me it’s mine until I don’t want it,” he says.

For Gonder, the Loons are more than baseball. He points to community-focused events such as Inclusion Day, held in partnership with the Disability Network of Michigan, as highlights of the season.

The day includes a Miracle League game where Loons players take the field with athletes of all abilities. “It’s one of my favorite days. It’s a great way to give [Miracle League players] a platform, to let them have fun and connect with Loons players. Everyone there loves baseball, and we can bond over that one game.”

Gonder says the Loons and the Michigan Baseball Foundation exemplify giving back by reinvesting in the community. That philosophy mirrors his own. “I get to do the things I love while giving back. And that’s all I could ever ask for.”

As he nears the completion of his law degree, Gonder envisions a future that keeps him in Midland by serving clients in the courtroom and fans at the ballpark. For him, the two worlds complement each other. Both, he said, are about connection, purpose, and community.

The Great Lakes Loons of the Midwest League finished the 2025 season with a record of 72 wins and 58 losses. They will begin the 2026 season on Friday, April 3, with a game at Dow Diamond against Fort Wayne, and Gonder behind the mic.