(Mankato, MN) – The Mankato MoonDogs Baseball Club, a member of the Northwoods League, announced that MoonDogs play-by-play voice John Hadden will not return for the 2008 season. Hadden, who has been the MoonDogs radio announcer for the past three summers, will join the Idaho Falls Chukars Broadcast team, a Rookie League affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. He will assume the duties of Road Radio Broadcaster and Home Public Address Announcer for the 2008 season.
"I’m excited to be making the jump to pro ball,” Hadden said. "I know this wouldn’t be happening without Kyle and Joe taking a chance on an inexperienced young man back before the 2005 season. I can only hope working with the Chukars will be as fun an experience as being with the MoonDogs in Mankato. I loved the town and never got tired of afternoons in the MoonDogs’ office, evenings at the ballpark, and office functions. It was an amazing experience.”
After the 2007 MoonDogs season, Hadden continued his passion of announcing when he became the voice of the University of Concordia – St. Paul Golden Bears, a Division II college in St. Paul, Minnesota. This past fall he was Concordia’s lead broadcaster for football and the NCAA National Champion volleyball team. Hadden will complete his duties as Golden Bears play-by-play voice for men’s and women’s basketball before joining the Chukars staff this spring.
Once Hadden lands in Idaho Falls he may see a familiar face in former MoonDog Dane Secott. Secott, who pitched for the MoonDogs in 2006, completed a very successful first season with the Pioneer League First Half Division winners in 2007. In addition, other former MoonDogs in the eight-team league include Johnnie Lowe (Great Falls White Sox) and Will Penniall (Billings Mustangs).
Hadden continues to build on an already impressive resume. A 2007 graduate of St. Cloud State University, he majored in Mass Communications. While at St. Cloud State, Hadden worked as the Sports Director at the campus radio station, KVSC, from his sophomore year until graduation. Hadden has twice been honored by both the Minnesota Associated Press and the Minnesota Broadcasters Association for his work in sports reporting.
The Mankato MoonDogs will begin their seventh season in the Northwoods League on May 29, 2008. Season and group tickets along with the 2008 early edition pocket schedule are now available. For more information, please visit www.mankatomoondogs.com or call the MoonDogs Ticket Office at 507-625-7047.
