The Northwoods League announced Friday that Vern Stenman, General Manager of the NWL?s Madison Mallards, has been named 2005 Executive of the Year. The award, which was decided by a vote of team officials at the League?s annual fall meetings last week in Rochester, MN, is given annually to the League?s outstanding executive.
This marks the second time Stenman has received the award, who also garnered the honor in 2003.
?Congratulations to Vern for this well-deserved honor. He and his staff have taken the Madison operation to levels never dreamed of in Summer Collegiate Baseball,? said Dick Radatz, Jr., Northwoods League President.
Stenman, who has been with the Mallards organization since its inception in 2001, helped lead the Madison affiliate to a record breaking season in 2005. The Mallards drew 201,221 fans to the Duck Pond this season, breaking their own team, Northwoods League, and national summer collegiate records in the process. The Madison affiliate averaged an astounding 5,738 fans per game during the NWL regular season (34 dates), up 15% from their record breaking average the previous season. Additionally, Madison appeared in the playoffs for the third straight season, finishing as runner-up after losing in the NWL Championship Series to Thunder Bay.
?Receiving this honor is a great reflection on the quality of the people that I have been fortunate enough to work with,? said Stenman. ?The success of the Mallards is truly a team effort and without the great work of Manager C.J. Thieleke, Assistant General Manager Conor Caloia, Director of Operations Spencer Sweet and Food and Beverage Manager Dave Boyer, none of what the Mallards have accomplished to date would have been possible,? added the 28-year-old Stenman.
Prior to joining the Mallards, Stenman worked in the NWL?s St. Cloud River Bats front office for several seasons prior to leaving for a position with the NHL?s Minnesota Wild.
The Northwoods League is comprised of teams of the top college players from across North America. With twelve teams currently playing in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Ontario, Canada, the Northwoods League provides the finest environment for the development of collegiate players.
