MADISON – The Madison Mallards are excited to announce that C.J. Thieleke will return in 2008 to manage the club for a fourth season. Thieleke led the team to a 38-29 record this past season that included a Northwoods League record 16 straight victories from July 23 to August 9. The Madison, Wis. native also became the second-fastest manager to reach 100 victories (186 games) for his career with a 13-4 victory over the expansion Green Bay Bullfrogs on July 16. His career record now stands at 120-91 (.568). Prior to being promoted to Manager in 2005, Thieleke was an assistant coach with the Mallards for two seasons, including the team’s 2004 Championship season. He is also an assistant coach at nearby Madison Area Technical College. Thieleke was the 1994 Big Ten Freshman of the Year and played at the University of Iowa for three seasons before spending two seasons in the Minnesota Twins organization.

Thieleke states that while wins and losses are important in the NWL, he measures success by how much a player improves over the course of the summer and into his collegiate season.

“I take great pride in being accessible to my players and providing the tools and knowledge needed to become a better ballplayer,” Thieleke said. “The Northwoods League is the premier summer collegiate league and I take great pride in coaching these players.”

He points to former players Jordan Wolf (Xavier), Jordan Comadena (Purdue), and Bobby Hubbard (Furman) as examples of those who recently used their Mallards experiences to propel themselves the following season at their respective collegiate programs.

“Wolf caught for us in 2006 and posted respectable numbers (.259, 15 RBI’s), and he used that experience to help lead the Xavier Musketeers in 12 offensive categories this past season.”

“Comadena found his stroke late for us last season and he continued to blister the baseball at Purdue, hitting .340 with 20 RBI’s and a .620 slugging percentage.”

“Hubbard is a kid who struggled a bit with the wooden bat two years ago but hit for power (.290, 15 doubles, 6 home runs, 42 RBI’s) this past season for the Paladins. This past summer he was an integral part (.315, 12 doubles, 46 RBI’s) of our squad that won a NWL record 16 games in a row.”

General Manager Vern Stenman likes Thieleke’s approach in developing players for the next level both on and off the field.

“C.J. has unparalleled success and experience in the Northwoods League. He understands how to get the most out of summer collegiate baseball players and takes a great deal of pride in improving them for their futures as both college players and professionals,” said Stenman.

Fans, stay tuned to Mallardsbaseball.com in the coming weeks as we announce the coaches and players who will be providing exciting baseball action for you this season!

The Mallards eighth season begins at the Duck Pond on Thursday, May 29th at 7:05 p.m. against the La Crosse Loggers. Be sure to come early as we’ll be celebrating Opening Day presented by Signature Graphics with a host of activities at 5:30 p.m.!

Suites and group tickets are on sale now while single-game tickets will be available for purchase on April 26th at 9:00 a.m.

We can’t wait to see you at the Duck Pond this summer!