Eau Claire, Wis. – In a development of front office roles, the Eau Claire Express baseball team today announced a new General Manager and Assistant General Manager. Former Director of Ticket Sales, Spencer Larson, will be promoted to the GM role after one year with the Express organization. The team also announced the return of a familiar face as Assistant GM as former Radio Broadcaster Scott Montesano will take on that role. Former General Manager Andy Neborak remains on staff as Assistant Managing Director. The Express staff now includes seven year-round employees.
“We are fortunate to be able to add someone with Scott’s experience in sports marketing to our team,” stated Andy Neborak. “He will be a big part of the future of our organization, as will Spencer as he moves into a very prominent role in our day-to-day operations. Spencer has earned this promotion and will lead a top-notch fan experience at Carson Park.”
Larson joined the Express in December of 2014 as Director of Ticket Sales after spending time with the Normal CornBelters, Madison Mallards and Wisconsin Timber Rattlers early in his career. The Appleton, Wis. native got his start in baseball in 2006, starting with the Timber Rattlers as a batboy before moving on to the part-time staff and finishing with an internship in 2013. Larson becomes the fifth General Manager in the history of the Express franchise.
Montesano has a storied past that includes five years (2006-2010) in Eau Claire as the Radio Broadcaster. While he will not broadcast in his new role, he will utilize much of the sales and marketing experience he has gained in other stops along the way. Prior to his time in Eau Claire, he spent time with the Vermont Mountaineers and the Sanford Mainers of the New England Collegiate Baseball League. He then transitioned to hockey and worked with the Fargo-Moorhead Jets, North Iowa Outlaws and Des Moines Buccaneers. This past year Montesano served as the Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations for the Traverse City Beach Bums of the independent Frontier League.
The Express begin their twelfth season of play in the Northwoods League at Carson Park on May 31 versus the Rochester Honkers. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. in that contest, with gates opening at 5:30 p.m. Season tickets and 5-Game Packs are on sale now and single-game tickets go on sale on May 2. All tickets can be purchased by calling the Express office at 715-839-7788 or by stopping at the downtown office at 102 E. Grand Ave.
The Eau Claire Express are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 23rd season of summer collegiate baseball in 2016, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 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, more than 120 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (CHC). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website. For more information, visit www.eauclaireexpress.com.