{"id":21298,"date":"2025-08-24T18:28:13","date_gmt":"2025-08-24T18:28:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/northwoodsleague.com\/eau-claire-express\/?p=21298"},"modified":"2025-08-24T18:28:13","modified_gmt":"2025-08-24T18:28:13","slug":"a-letter-from-owner-craig-toycen-following-the-2025-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/northwoodsleague.com\/eau-claire-express\/2025\/08\/24\/a-letter-from-owner-craig-toycen-following-the-2025-season\/","title":{"rendered":"A Letter From Owner Craig Toycen Following the 2025 Season"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Dear Express Fans and Family,<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As we close the book on an exciting 2025 season, I\u2019m thrilled to share some of the highlights that made this year unforgettable. Our brand-new WNB Financial Video Board has completely reimagined the fan experience, delivering crystal-clear graphics and interactive content that had the crowd buzzing all summer long. We\u2019re already planning to expand its programming even further in 2026.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In tandem with the video board, we introduced fresh uniforms and a modernized logo that honor the classic Express tradition while projecting a bold, forward-leaning style. Watching our players take the field in those crisp new threads\u2014glowing under the video board\u2014reminded me that we\u2019re building something truly special, both on the diamond and within our community.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This season also celebrated two coaching legends\u2014Dale Varsho and Vic Cable\u2014each reaching the remarkable milestone of 700 career wins. Their unwavering dedication and passion for the game continue to inspire every player and fan in the Chippewa Valley, and I couldn\u2019t ask for better representatives of our team\u2019s spirit.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">None of these achievements would have been possible without our dedicated full-time staff. Dale Varsho, Sammi Kreuser-Costello, Ben Peterson, Nick Aldrich, and Brayden Burt laid the groundwork all winter and spring\u2014scheduling events, scouting talent, and forging key partnerships. On the broadcast front, Pete Knutson\u2019s play-by-play on Northwoods League+ and Noah Schwartz\u2019s vivid calls on Moose Country 106.7 kept everyone connected, whether you were cheering from the stands or listening from home.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Our interns powered many of the behind-the-scenes efforts\u2014from fan engagement campaigns to team logistics. Seeing them orchestrate theme nights, on-field contests, and family greetings reaffirmed my belief that the future of sports management is in exceptionally capable hands.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Equally vital are our Host Families, who open their homes and hearts to our players. Thanks to Melinda Huth, Anita Coenen, and Jess LaBrec\u2019s flawless coordination, dozens of athletes enjoyed a true home-away-from-home experience. To every family who provided meals, laundry, love, and laughter\u2014you are the heartbeat of the Express.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">On game days, our ushers, concession teams, and grillers,\u00a0 greeted fans with smiles from Opening Night through the final out. The many familiar faces returning each year underscore what we already know: working for the Express is more than a summer job\u2014it\u2019s joining a community committed to excellence.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Our Culver\u2019s Youth Team of the Night program let little leaguers from Eau Claire to Menomonie to Bloomer and beyond shine on our field. Their excitement reminded us why baseball is so magical, and we\u2019re planning to expand this initiative in 2026 so even more teams can make memories under the lights.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">We owe a special thank-you to the City of Eau Claire Parks and Recreation Department. At 88 years old, Carson Park remains one of the finest grass-field ballparks in the Northwoods League thanks to your meticulous care and partnership. Your support has preserved our park\u2019s timeless charm while accommodating modern upgrades.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Though we play under the banner \u201cEau Claire Express,\u201d our fans come from every corner of the Chippewa Valley\u2014and beyond. Whether you drove down from Altoona, crossed the bridge from Chippewa Falls, or joined us from out of state (we even welcomed visitors from The Netherlands this summer!), your enthusiasm fuels the electric atmosphere and makes a tangible economic impact for our region.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Looking ahead to 2026, our ambitions are boundless. We\u2019re exploring new fan-experiences, additional ballpark enhancements following the success of our video board, and youth-baseball partnerships that strengthen the pipeline from little league to Carson Park. Our goal is to blend baseball history, cutting-edge technology, and small-town hospitality into one unforgettable experience.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Thank you for making 2025 a season of innovation, celebration, and memories that will last a lifetime. I can\u2019t wait to see you back at Carson Park next summer\u2014ready to cheer every replay, every logo debut, and every milestone win. Let\u2019s keep those trains rolling together!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">With gratitude and excitement,<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Craig Toycen<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Owner, Eau Claire Express<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> #RollTrains<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dear Express Fans and Family, As we close the book on an exciting 2025 season, I\u2019m thrilled to share some  [&#8230;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":21300,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[45,126,27,43,1,40],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21298","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-permanentslider","category-permanentslider-team-news","category-league-news","category-team-news","category-uncategorized","category-update-ticker-all-categories"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.5 (Yoast SEO v26.5) - 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