CAROLYN McKEE NAMED TO SOUTH ATLANTIC LEAGUE HALL OF FAME

CAROLYN McKEE NAMED TO SOUTH ATLANTIC LEAGUE HALL OF FAME

Former Asheville Tourists front office executive Carolyn McKee is one of three members of the Class of 2012 for the South Atlantic League Hall of Fame, according to SAL president Eric Krupa. McKee will be inducted along with Charleston mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr., and Bill Murray, a part-owner of the Charleston RiverDogs, at festivities surrounding the SAL All-Star Game, scheduled for June 19, 2012, in Charleston, S.C.

"It's always exciting when a member of your organization is recognized with such a high honor," said Brian DeWine, president of the Asheville Tourists. "In this case, it's even more special knowing how much of her life Carolyn McKee dedicated to the team and to keeping baseball in Asheville. Not only do we congratulate her, but I also thank Carolyn for her contributions. Without them, there's a chance that no one associated with our team today would be in living in our great city."

Carolyn McKee joined the Tourists in 1980 and served in nearly every capacity with the team over the next 26 years. Her duties always included managing the accounting operations and supervising the box office on game days. Carolyn also accepted additional responsibilities in 1994 when the team became affiliated with the Colorado Rockies. She assisted the Rockies on organizational matters and oversaw the club's travel arrangements. Her contributions to the baseball industry were recognized in 2004 when Carolyn was named the Rawlings Woman Executive of the Year, becoming the first woman in the South Atlantic League to win the national award.

Carolyn joins her husband, Ron, as a member of the SAL Hall of Fame, becoming the second husband-wife team to receive the prestigious honor. They follow in the footsteps of the league's founder and long-time president John Henry Moss and his wife Elaine, who were inducted in 1994 and 2004, respectively.

"I had the pleasure of working with Carolyn for several years and I learned so much from her during that time," said Asheville general manager Larry Hawkins. "She always had a handle on the details and understood how everything contributed to the big picture in running a team. Carolyn and Ron were a true team, and to see her receive this recognition is very gratifying and deserved."