Olerud named CAR Executive of Year

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Josh Olerud, Potomac Nationals vice president/general manager, was named the winner of the 2013 Calvin Falwell Executive of the Year Award in the Carolina League. The voting was done by league managers, general managers, directors and the president.

"Josh is a great choice for this award," said league president John Hopkins. "During his time at Potomac, the operation has been growing and improving in every respect. It's a well-deserved honor."

In his third season with the Nationals, Olerud led the club to a new franchise attendance record. The season total of 236,772, which included eight sellouts, exceeded the previous mark, which had stood since 1998, by more than 16,000.

Before coming to Potomac, Olerud spent eight years as general manager of the Rockford RiverHawks of the Frontier League. Originally from Bloomington, Minn., he graduated with a degree in sports management with an emphasis in marketing at Minnesota State University at Mankato. Olerud was the most recent recipient of the Pitch and Hit Club of Chicago's Minor League Executive of the Year in 2012.  

"This is a tremendous honor," said Olerud. "With all the great people we have in the Carolina League, it is very humbling to be recognized. This is a team effort, and it is truly the dedication of our ownership group, great front-office staff and first-class gameday team that makes this recognition possible."

The Nationals also had a big season on the field, leading the league with an overall record of 84-55, winning both halves in the Northern Division and sweeping the Division Series. Olerud welcomed a number of Washington Nationals players on rehab assignments, including left-handed pitcher Ross Detwiler, right-handed pitcher Christian Garcia, left fielder Bryce Harper, right-handed pitcher Ross Ohlendorf, catcher Wilson Ramos, right fielder Jayson Werth, and third baseman Ryan Zimmerman. 

P-Nats owner Art Silber said he was delighted the league chose "to recognize the extraordinary job Josh has done for the Potomac Nationals. This past season was a record-setting year for our ballclub, with high marks set in attendance, game revenue and sponsorship revenue. Josh's interaction with fans, sponsors, players and staff has afforded the club the opportunity to reach new heights. I congratulate him and know that this is only the beginning of what is to come for the Potomac Nationals franchise."

The Falwell Award was named in 2006 for the man who had been president of the Lynchburg club since that city joined the league in 1966. Calvin Falwell died at 90 on Aug. 20, 2011.