Eau Claire, Wis. — The Eau Claire Express welcome in the new year with two additions to the team’s front office with the hiring of Sammi Costello and Chris Langlois. Costello will serve as the Express’s Director of Ticket Sales and Community Involvement while Langlois joins the team as their Director of Marketing and Corporate Service.

While Costello is new to the Northwoods League, she is not new to the world of baseball. She brings with her previous experience of working in collegiate and independent baseball. Originally from Oregon, Costello worked as the Community Relations Coordinator for the Medford Rogues in the former Great West League. Sammi hosted and assisted with on-field promotions, oversaw jersey auctions, and integrated 30 collegiate baseball players into the community of Medford. During her time with the Rogues, Sammi played an integral role in the inaugural Great West League All-Star Game in 2016 and was also a part of the 2017 Championship Season. Following her time with the Rogues, Sammi graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in Public Relations and moved to the Midwest to intern for the St. Paul Saints, a professional Independent team in the American Association League. In her short time with the Saints, Costello assisted with promotions and overall fan experience.

Sammi’s position with the Express will include working alongside group outings and season ticket holders. Additionally, Costello will be launching a non-profit fundraising program in the coming weeks.

“With joining a new team comes the chance of getting to be a part of a new community’” Said Costello “I’m excited to get to call Eau Claire home and I’m ready to get out to Carson Park this summer and meet all the wonderful fans that make up our organization.”

“Sammi’s passion for building relationships with the community through the game of baseball has opened up new opportunities for the team.” said General Manager Jacob Servais. “As a front office, we have placed an emphasis on connecting with the community, and Sammi will lead the way as she rolls out our new non-profit fundraiser, while also working with new and existing business partners, season ticket holders and host families. Sammi brings new ideas and viewpoints to the table from her days in Medford, Oregon, and St. Paul. I look forward to her ideas coming to life and enhancing the Carson Park experience.”

Langlois, a native of Wausau, Wisconsin, joins the Express having had previous marketing experience with the Mankato MoonDogs of the Northwoods League. Langlois served as the MoonDogs Marketing and Event Coordinator Intern for the 2017 season and in 2018 became their Marketing and Creative Assistant. In Mankato, Langlois had a hand in assembling the MoonDogs digital programs, marketing material, running their social media, and training interns and gameday workers associated with marketing, promotions and media relations. Additionally, Langlois has gained valuable experience working in athletic communications with Minnesota State University Maverick Athletics, the Minnesota Timberwolves and the University of Minnesota Gopher Athletics. Langlois gained his bachelor’s degree in history and public relations from the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay in 2015 and his master’s degree in sport management from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 2018.

“I am very excited to be back in the Northwoods League with the Express.” Langlois said. “The Northwoods league has been an influential part of my life. I grew up as a fan, and now I have the opportunity to give back. I am excited for the upcoming season and to interact with Eau Claire community.”

“Chris’s energy, passion and enthusiasm for the Northwoods League is second to none. These traits, along with his experience in graphic design, creative writing and customer service will help the team reach its highest potential in 2019 and beyond,” Said Servais. “Chris understands the importance of the fan experience and will be tasked with growing the already great foundation we have laid over the past 14 years. I am excited to see how he takes it to the next level.”

The Express begin their 15^th season of play in the Northwoods league this summer with a road trip to Bismarck to face the Larks on May 28. They will return to Eau Claire on June 1 to open their home schedule against Duluth at 7:05. Season tickets and Kwik Trip 5-Game Packs are available to purchase now. Kwik Trip 5-Game Packs include a reserved seat, Express jersey, replica Hank Aaron bobblehead and unlimited food and drink for only $70. Order online or call 715-839-7788 for more information.

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*The Eau Claire Express are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Now in its 25th anniversary season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 22 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, over 200 former Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist (CHC) and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (BOS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET) and Curtis Granderson (MIL).  All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit www.eauclaireexpress.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Express as your favorite team