Chesney Honored By The Southern League

The Southern League announced Wednesday that Tennessee Smokies Director of Community Relations Lauren Chesney has been honored with the circuit's Woman of Excellence Award, marking the second time Chesney has received that honor. Chesney also won the award following the 2008 season and will be nominated for Rawlings Woman Executive of the Year, with the recipient announced at the Winter Meetings.

Chesney just completed her 17th season with the Smokies, including her 15th in her current capacity as Director of Community Relations, leading many of the Smokies' community programs including the Children's Summer Reading, Caring Hands, Give A Kid A Ticket and Straight A Programs, as well as player and mascot appearances. Thanks in large part to her efforts, the Smokies were recently recognized as the state of Tennessee's 2015 Attraction of the Year by the Tennessee Hospitality and Tourism Association, which is "presented to attractions that have shown excellence in tourist development and community service through special programs, events and marketing campaigns".

"We are absolutely thrilled for Lauren the Southern League is recognizing her for her outstanding work in the East Tennessee community," stated Smokies Team President Doug Kirchhofer. "Our work in the region is of the utmost importance to us as an organization. This honor is well-deserved recognition of the value of Lauren's work in the community on behalf of the Smokies "

In addition to her role with the Smokies, Chesney serves on the Sevierville Hospitality Association Board, currently as President, the Gatlinburg Hospitality Association Board and the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce Board. She is also a 2005 graduate of Sevier County's Leadership Tomorrow program, and 2011 graduate of Leadership Sevier.

Through Chesney's efforts, the Smokies have donated thousands of dollars in value to local charities and organizations through a variety of means, including ticket and merchandise donations. She has also helped raise funds through jersey auctions, while setting up canned food and school supply drives to help organizations including, but not limited to, Remote Area Medical, United Way, Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure and Pat Summitt Foundation.

This is the second time Chesney has been recognized with the Southern League's Woman Of Excellence Award after previously receiving the honor in 2008. The award was voted on by the Southern League's executives from each of the circuit's ten clubs, including team presidents and general managers.

The Smokies will commence their 2016 campaign at home against the Mobile BayBears on Thursday, April 7, 2016. The full schedule for next season and season ticket information can be found online at smokiesbaseball.com, or by calling the Smokies Ticket Office at 865-286-2300.