John Willi Hired as Executive at DSF Sports & Entertainment
DSF Sports & Entertainment, the entity which operates both the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, and the Bowling Green Hot Rods, Single-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, is pleased to announce that John Willi has been hired as the organization's newly appointed Vice President and will be based in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
Willi, who most recently served as the General Manager of the New Britain Rock Cats, Double-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins, over the last four seasons, brings 14 years of Minor League Baseball experience to DSF Sports & Entertainment, eleven as an executive with the Rock Cats. He was named the 2009 Eastern League Executive of the Year and also to the Hartford Business Journal's 40 under 40 list in 2008, recognizing the top business executives under 40 years of age in the Greater Hartford area.
"We are thrilled to welcome someone like John to the DSF family," said DSF Sports & Entertainment Owner Art Solomon. "He comes to us with several years of experience and a superb track record of success in Minor League Baseball."
Under Willi's direction, the Rock Cats saw the team's annual attendance rise over 100% from 2000 to 2009 and its average attendance increase from 2,700 per game to over 5,500 fans per game. In 2003, the New Britain Rock Cats were recognized as the top Double-A franchise by Baseball America with the Bob Freitas Award. The Rock Cats have also been selected as the Eastern League's nominee for the John Johnson Trophy - Minor League Baseball's highest honor - for three consecutive years (2007-2009).
"John's credentials speak for themselves," said DSF Sports & Entertainment President Rick Brenner. "He is a proven leader and his experience will further strengthen both the Fisher Cats and Hot Rods' overall operations heading into the 2011 season."
"I have an enormous amount of respect for Art Solomon and Rick Brenner and what they have already accomplished in this industry," said Willi. "The allure of working with them to help DSF strive to be the best in the business is incredibly appealing and an opportunity I am grateful to have. I look forward to great things to come."
The Long Island, NY, native is a graduate of Binghamton University where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Marketing/Management and was a member of the varsity baseball team. Prior to New Britain he spent three seasons with the Eastern League's Binghamton Mets (Double-A affiliate of the NY Mets). Before entering Minor League Baseball he spent time with the AHL's Binghamton Rangers and served as Assistant Director of a USTA Satellite Tournament.
New Hampshire Fisher Cats Full- and Half-Season tickets for the 2011 All-Star Season, including Opening Day 2011 on April 7th and the 2011 Northeast Delta Dental Eastern League All-Star Game on July 12-13 at Merchantsauto.com Stadium are on sale now. Tickets to the 2010 Granite State Baseball Dinner, presented by Northeast Delta Dental, scheduled for Saturday, November 20, are also on sale by calling (603) 641-2005 or visiting www.nhfishercats.com.
The Hot Rods open the 2011 season on April 7 in Dayton, Ohio, against the affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, the Dayton Dragons. They begin their first home stand on Monday, April 11, at Bowling Green Ballpark against the Fort Wayne TinCaps (San Diego Padres). 2011 Season Tickets are available now. Visit www.bghotrods.com or call 270.901.2121 to reserve your spot for all the fun and games coming to Bowling Green Ballpark next summer. Game times and the 2011 promotional schedule will be released at a later date.