MAVERICKS NAME RYAN COOK AS GENERAL MANAGER

ADELANTO, Calif. (SEPTEMBER 10, 2013) - Having just completed the 2013 season, the High Desert Mavericks are embarking in a new direction with a new staff, led by a new General Manager. The Advanced-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners announced on Tuesday it has named Ryan Cook, a native of southern California, as the team's new General Manager.

Cook brings with him more than a decade of pro sports experience to the California League club, including stints with the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers, New Orleans Hornets and Sacramento Kings. With both the Hornets and the Clippers, Cook set new records for monthly revenues for ticket sales and new business development. Cook also has pro baseball experience, having worked for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Most recently, he has worked as an agent specializing in action sports for the Sports Syndicate in Newport Beach, California.

"Ryan Cook is an incredibly impressive individual, who brings with him at tremendous sense of discipline, dedication and ability, along with a sincere commitment to outstanding customer service," said team owner Dave Heller. "Ryan is committed to maintaining exceptional client relationships and implementing innovative ideas and concepts, all while providing the highest level of customer service. He and his team will not only change the culture at Mavericks Stadium, they will make it the premier gathering space in the High Desert not only for baseball games, but for various athletic events, community gatherings and affordable, family-friendly fun."

An All-American Water Polo player himself, Cook led the effort to develop an Olympic division at the Sports Syndicate, cultivating relationships with Olympic USA volleyball players, Team USA water polo players, Team USA swimmers, and USA water polo, the sport's national governing body.

"This is a great opportunity; one which I have been working toward my entire life. I plan on taking the knowledge from my experiences as both an athlete and a front office executive and using them to lead the Mavericks into a new era of outstanding customer service," Cook said. "I believe in the High Desert market and I'm determined to ensure the Mavericks wow our fans with outstanding in-game entertainment and new and exciting non-baseball events. It's going to be a new day in the High Desert!"

The announcement comes after the team and the City of Adelanto made major improvements to Mavericks Stadium in the spring of 2013.

The Mavericks open the 2014 season at home Thursday, April 3, against the Inland Empire 66ers at Mavericks Stadium.