MiLB honors execs Murphy, Vickers
Warren Giles Award -- Chuck Murphy, Florida State League
The Warren Giles Award annually honors outstanding service as a league president. Murphy completed his
22nd year as president of the Florida State League (FSL) in 2011. His circuit was the only one to set an
attendance record this season, as its 12 clubs attracted 1,296,962 fans, topping last year's record-setting total
by more than 100,000 fans.
"I am honored to receive it again and credit the directors and GMs in the league for their outstanding work this past season in raising our attendance," Murphy said. "It's their promotions and community involvement that brings the fans to the ballpark, so I accept this award on behalf of them. They are the ones who keep introducing new ideas for the league."
"Chuck Murphy's leadership of the Florida State League was never more tested than in 2011," Minor League Baseball resident Pat O'Conner remarked. "Despite a struggling economy and the worst hurricane season since 2008, the Florida State League registered a milestone at the turnstiles. The league as a whole and three of its teams established single season attendance marks this season."
From 1984-86, Chuck was the vice president/general manager of the Daytona Beach Islanders in the FSL. After the club was sold in 1986, he became the manager of Daytona Beach Parks and Recreation. Murphy served in this capacity until 1990 when he began his tenure as FSL president.
Murphy will receive his award at the Annual Banquet on Thursday, Dec. 8. He becomes the fourth man to win the Giles Award twice, having also been presented it in 1991. International League president, Randy Mobley (1994, 2002), Midwest League president, George Spelius (1997, 2010), and former South Atlantic League president, John Moss (1993, 2007) are the other three who have received the Giles Award on two occasions since it was first presented in 1984.
Rawlings Woman Executive of the Year Award -- Marla Terranova Vickers, Montgomery Biscuits
Marla Terranova Vickers completed her 11th season in MiLB and first as general manager of the
Montgomery Biscuits in 2011. Under her leadership, the Biscuits sales' figures increased in several areas this
year, despite the state of the economy. She also worked with the team's marketing staff on enhancing the
overall fan experience through nightly surveys.
One of the things the club introduced based on the survey results was a food item of the night that was deeply discounted and promoted throughout the game. The club also introduced a season ticket holder concierge program in which staff members were assigned as the point of contact for every season ticket holder to answer their questions and fulfill their requests, if possible.
Believing that one staff member can ruin a fan's experience, Marla trains new employees for a few hours in customer service, preparing them for various situations they may face during the season. The team's efforts were rewarded this year by being named "Best Family Entertainment in the River Region" by the Montgomery Advertiser newspaper.
Marla was the Biscuits' first employee on the ground in Montgomery, Ala., in 2003, a year before the club began play in the Southern League after relocating from Orlando, Fla.
"Marla has literally been with the Biscuits from day one, earning the way to her current position as general manager through her dedication and hard work," O'Conner said. "The fact that her attention to customer service and the overall fan experience resulted in the Biscuits winning an award this year for the best form of family entertainment in their market is a testament to her work ethic and business acumen. She is a very deserving recipient of the Rawlings Woman Executive of the Year Award."
"It is a privilege to even be considered for the Rawlings Award and I am honored to be this year's recipient," Terranova Vickers said. "I am very fortunate to have great female mentors and the opportunity to work with many talented and dedicated women on our staff, in the Southern League and around baseball. I greatly appreciate the support and encouragement of my colleagues and family and hope to continue to make them proud."
Terranova Vickers, who will receive the 34th Rawlings Woman Executive of the Year honor at the Awards Luncheon on Monday, December 5, is also involved with several civic organizations and donates her time and talents whenever possible in the Montgomery community.
Warren Giles Award winners
1984 Charles Eshbach, Eastern League
1985 Bill Walters, Midwest League
1986 Joe Ryan, American Association
1987 Carl Sawatski, Texas League
1988 Harold Cooper, International League
1989 Jimmy Bragan, Southern League
1990 Joe Gagliardi, California League
1991 Chuck Murphy, Florida State League
1992 Bill Cutler, Pacific Coast League
1993 John Moss, South Atlantic League
1994 Randy Mobley, International League
1995 John Hopkins, Carolina League
1996 Freddy Jana, Dominican Summer League
1997 George Spelius, Midwest League
1998 Branch Rickey, Pacific Coast League
1999 Bob Richmond, Northwest League
2000 Bill Troubh, Eastern League
2001 Lee Landers, Appalachian League
2002 Randy Mobley, International League
2003 Tom Kayser, Texas League
2004 Saul Gonzalez, Venezuelan Summer League
2005 Tom Saffell, Gulf Coast League
2006 Joe McEacharn, Eastern League
2007 John Moss, South Atlantic League
2008 Don Mincher, Southern League
2009 Ben Hayes, New York-Penn League
2010 George Spelius, Midwest League
2011 Chuck Murphy, Florida State League
Rawlings Woman Executive of the Year Award winners
1976 Alice Neighbors, Tulsa (A.A)
1977 Mary Anne Whitacre, Hawaii (PCL)
1978 Patty Cox, Oklahoma City (A.A.)
1979 Doris Krucker, (MWL)
1980 Frances Crockett, Charlotte (SOU)
1981 Arlene Woodford, Portland (PCL)
1982 Linda Pereira, San Jose (CAL)
1983 Karen Paul, El Paso (TEX)
1984 Mildred Boyenga, Waterloo (MID)
1985 Frances Crockett, Charlotte (SOU)
1986 not awarded
1987 Leslie Leary, Auburn (NYP)
1988 Mindy Rich, Buffalo (A.A.)
1989 Pat Hamilton, Toledo (INT)
1990 Leanne Pagliai, High Desert (CAL)
1991 Marta Hiczewski, Buffalo (A.A.)
1992 Tammy Felker-White, Portland (PCL)
1993 Shereen Samonds, Orlando (SOU)
1994 Naomi Silver, Rochester (INT)
1995 Mary Cain, Portland (NWL)
1996 Audrey Zielinski, Detroit (AL)
1997 Dot Cloud, Nashville (AA)
1998 Lois Schneider, Cincinnati (NL)
1999 Judy Ellis, Missoula (PIO)
2000 Mary Barney, Louisville (IL)
2001 (tie) Linda McNabb, Ft. Myers (FSL) &
Lori Webb, Southern League
2002 Brenda Yoder, Greenville (SL)
2003 Luchy Guerra, Los Angeles (NL)
2004 Carolyn McKee, Asheville (SAL)
2005 Lisa Walker, Salem-Keizer (NWL)
2006 Ashley Forlini, Reading (EL)
2007 Shari Massengill, Kinston (CAR)
2008 Carol Gehr, Hagerstown (SAL)
2009 Katie Dannemiller, Greensboro (SAL)
2010 Sharon Ridley, Nashville (PCL)
2011 Marla Terranova Vickers, Montgomery (SL)
NEXT: Sheldon "Chief" Bender & Mike Coolbaugh Award winners, November 14
Other Major Award Winners:
John H. Johnson President's Award (best overall franchise)-Tennessee Smokies
Larry MacPhail Award (top promotional effort)-Lake Elsinore Storm