The Mankato MoonDogs of the Northwoods League are proud to announce a change in the team’s ownership. Mark Ogren, the President of Croix Oil Company, completed the purchase in late December of 2012. This marked the first change in team ownership since 2001 when Joe Schwei acquired the Mankato Mashers and created the MoonDogs franchise.

Ogren is a Stillwater, Minnesota native and he is the sole Owner and President of Croix Oil Company which is a family owned business that operates in the retail petroleum industry. He received his Bachelors Degree in Financial Management from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota before going on to complete his Masters Degree in Business Administration, also at the University of St. Thomas.

Mark and his wife Dawn have been married for 27 years and currently reside in Stillwater. They have four children; son Scott who is also a graduate of the University of St. Thomas and will have a role within the MoonDogs organization, daughter Jillian who is a graduate of Marquette University and is currently teaching abroad in Spain, daughter Caitlin is a Junior at the University of Notre Dame and their son Matthew is a Senior at Stillwater High School and is currently weighing multiple options for college.

Mark is excited and looking forward to being involved with the MoonDogs and the fun that comes with it. "My primary business is selling gasoline, but I have yet to meet anyone who actually enjoys buying gasoline," said Ogren. "Alternatively, the MoonDogs are selling fun. Virtually everything related to the team is fun; certainly a lot of work but also very enjoyable."

The MoonDogs became a part of the Mankato community in 2002 and, under the leadership of Joe Schwei, became a mainstay during summers in Mankato. In the 11 years the MoonDogs have been playing at Franklin Rogers Park, they have seen over 400,000 fans come through the gates and have had six players go on to play in Major League Baseball. Also, in 2011, the Greater Mankato Growth honored the MoonDogs with the Distinguished Business Award for having a positive impact in the community.

MoonDogs founder Joe Schwei spoke glowingly about the organization and its new owner. "Establishing the MoonDogs and weaving the team into the fabric of summers in the Mankato area will always be one of the joys of my professional life. Now, it is the time to bring in new ideas and new energy. The future for the MoonDogs is very bright because it will now be in Mark’s capable hands."  

Under new ownership, the MoonDogs’ front office will remain intact and the team will continue to have the same mission: provide wholesome, family friendly entertainment to the Greater Mankato Area at affordable prices.