MANKATO, MN. – The Mallards celebrated a historic 2003 season by setting national and league records in attendance, club records for victories, and competed in their first Northwoods League playoff. Another first was reached this past Friday.

Vern Stenman, General Manager of the Madison Mallards, was named NWL Executive of the Year at a brief ceremony during the recent NWL Fall meetings that took place in Mankato, MN.

Stenman guided the Mallards’ front office to unprecedented numbers in summer college baseball. During Stenman’s tenure in Madison, average attendance went from 1,039 in 2001 to 1,973 in 2002, to this year’s average of 4,411. The 4,411 per night average is more than sixteen affiliated Class AAA minor league franchises and twenty-one affiliated Class AA franchises.

Like all appreciative winners, Stenman gave praise to all the people surrounding him. “This is a great honor, however, I think it is more a tribute to the entire organization from our owner, Steve Schmitt, Assistant General Manager Rich Reynolds, Head Coach Darrell Handelsman, to our players and our part time staff. All of these people are really the ones who made our 2003 season one to remember…all of us can’t wait for the 2004 season to get here!”

“He really deserved this,” added Reynolds. “His tireless dedication to making the Mallards a success is the reason we have come this far in just a short period of time.”

Congratulations to Vern Stenman and the entire Madison Mallards organization for a well-deserved honor.