Local Recognition for Miles Wolff
BURLINGTON, NC- The Alamance County Sports Development Council honored four recipients of the 2014 Distinguished Service In Sports Award at its 14th Annual Award Luncheon on Wednesday, October 29. Burlington Royals President, Miles Wolff, was selected for this award along with Kay Howe, Dr. Danny Morrison, and Tommy Spoon.
Appalachian League baseball will head into its 30th season in Burlington during the 2015 campaign and Wolff has led the Burlington operation since its beginning in 1986. His work in the sports industry stretches across North America as Commissioner of the American Association and Can-Am League (both independent leagues), but his dedication to Burlington is what garnered this special recognition.
The Carolina League left Burlington after the 1972 season and the future of baseball in Burlington was uncertain. Wolff entered the Carolina League in 1980 and re-started the Durham Bulls franchise. The Bulls enjoyed great success in the Triangle and became a national brand thanks to the film Bull Durham in which Burlington Athletic Stadium appeared in a scene. In 1986, Wolff realized that Burlington would be an ideal fit for an Appalachian League team and secured a partnership with the Cleveland Indians to serve as parent club. Baseball was finally back in Burlington and fans showed tremendous support for the B-Tribe during the 21 years of Burlington Indians baseball. After the 2006 season, the Kansas City Royals took over as parent club for Burlington and have now completed eight seasons. Front Office executives under Wolff have won numerous league awards and moved on to various prominent roles throughout sports. These steady relationships with MLB clubs, the City of Burlington, and his staff are a true testament to the leadership that Wolff has brought to Minor League Baseball.