Samantha Rubin and Monica Hocking named softball co-Executives of the Year, John Fanta and Green Bay voted top baseball Executive and Organization and Madison and Minot top softball Organizations
Rochester, Minn. – The Northwoods League has announced that Samantha Rubin, GM of the Madison Mallards and the Madison Night Mares and Monica Hocking, GM and Managing Partner of the Minot Hot Tots and Minot Honeybees, have been named the 2025 Northwoods League Softball Executives of the Year. The award, which was decided by a vote of team officials at the League’s annual fall meetings in Madison, WI, is given annually to the League’s outstanding executive. In another vote, Jon Fanta, VP/GM of the Green Bay Rockers was awarded the baseball Executive of the Year award. The Green Bay Rockers were named the top organization of the year for baseball and the Minot Honeybees and the Madison Night Mares won the award for softball.
On winning the award for Executive of the Year, Rubin said, “The credit belongs to the Night Mares’ incredible staff, both on and off the field. I’m humbled to receive this honor, but the biggest award is the opportunity to provide players with the platform to showcase their skills, and the smiles on young girls faces in the stands, who only know a world where they see themselves on the diamond.”
And for being named as the co-Organization of the Year after winning the first ever Northwoods League Softball Championship she added, “The Night Mares strive to provide athletes and fans with a one-of-a-kind experience, championing fierce competition on the field, and fun off it.” “This award belongs to our staff, fans, players, and coaches, who took our franchise to a higher frontier, and left no doubt in our chase for a league title.”
Monica Hocking, General Manager and Managing Partner of the Minot Honeybees said of their accolades, “This recognition means so much because it represents how far we’ve come in just two seasons.” “From finishing at the bottom of the standings in 2024 to playing for a championship in 2025, it’s been a full team effort—our staff, players, and community all believed in what we were building. To be recognized for that growth and the experience we’ve created for fans makes it even more special.”
The Green Bay Rockers were honored as the Northwoods League Baseball Organization of the Year and their VP/GM John Fanta was named as the Northwoods League baseball Executive of the Year after a season which saw them win the Northwoods League Summer Collegiate World Series.
On these awards, Fanta remarked, ““I am fortunate to be surrounded by a phenomenal support staff and to be part of an organization that cares about people.” “It was a tremendous season for our team on and off the field and receiving this award represents all the hard work and dedication of everyone throughout our organization and the community who play critical roles in our success.”
“Being recognized by your peers as Northwoods League Organization of the Year is a very special honor for our team,” continued Fanta. “It takes a collective group of passionate people that believe in our core values of guests first, community, consistency, teamwork, and fun to make things happen and I can’t thank our ownership, front office, seasonal associates, host families, coaches, players, business and community partners, and our FANS enough for their unbelievable support and commitment to our mission.”
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The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Having completed its’ 32nd season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in history with 25 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires, and front office staff, nearly 2400 NWL alums have been drafted and over 410 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and two-time World Series Champion Max Scherzer (TOR), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford and World Series Champion and Cy Young Award winner Chris Sale (ATL). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2023 World Series Champion, MLB All-Star, MLB Gold Glove, two-time Silver Slugger winner and two-time All-MLB first team shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). League games are viewable live on Northwoods League+ (at watch.northwoodsleague.com) and ESPN+.
Leveraging the 32-year success of the Northwoods League, the first for-profit Summer Collegiate Baseball League, Northwoods League Softball (NWLS) is the first for-profit Women’s Summer Collegiate Softball League which began play in the Upper Midwest in the summer of 2024. The purpose of the League will be to develop players for their college, Olympic and future professional play. Teams will be promoted similar to minor league baseball teams, playing games in front of fans in a fun, friendly, family-oriented environment.