Willmar’s only manager in franchise history returns for another Northwoods League season
WILLMAR, MN – The Willmar Stingers of the Northwoods League announced today that Matt Hollod will return for his fifth season as the team’s field manager for the 2014 season. Hollod managed the Stingers to a team record-tying 41-29 record in 2013, with 23 wins coming in the first half of the season, narrowly missing out on a second straight playoff berth.
Hollod, in four years as manager for the Stingers, has amassed a record of 160-119 for a winning percentage .573. With 160 overall wins, Hollod now ranks in the top-10 all time for managerial wins in the Northwoods League. His winning percentage over the last four summers ranks as the best of the North Division, and second best in the Northwoods League to La Crosse’s .605 winning percentage.
During Hollod’s tenure as field manager for the Stingers, he has kept the Stingers in the playoff hunt each and every year. Averaging 40 wins per year, Hollod has been able to put together a competitive roster that plays hard throughout the entire summer. “We feel he is one of the best coaches in the league and we are looking forward to having him here for another year,” Stingers co-owner Ryan Voz said.
One other notable attribute of Hollod’s tenure is that the Stingers have had 27 former players sign pro contracts with Major League franchises, including first-round draft pick Hunter Dozier signing 8th overall with the Kansas City Royals.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in Willmar, especially the support of one of the best fan bases in the Northwoods League,” Hollod said. “I enjoy being a part of the Stingers and coaching some of the best players in the country.”
Hollod is currently the head coach at Wilkes University, located in Wilkes-Barre Pennsylvania. He took over the program last fall after spending the last three years as the associate head coach at DeSales University in Center Valley Pennsylvania.
In his first season with the Colonels, he led them to a 21-15 overall record. Hollod has also been an assistant coach at Southern Utah University and Willamette University (Salem, OR) and the University of Portland.
Hollod and the Stingers front office will sign players this fall and winter in preparation for the 2014 season. In the next few weeks, the Stingers will announce which returners and new players will be a part of the fifth season roster.
The 2014 schedule will be released this fall; however, season tickets for the upcoming year are now available. For more information regarding this story or season ticket pricing, please call 320-222-2010 or visit www.willmarstingers.com. The 2014 season is presented by Charter.
