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Personnel moves in Frisco, Lincoln and Wisconsin Rapids

Frisco RoughRidersWe have personnel news to report from the Frisco RoughRiders (Class AA; Texas League), Lincoln SaltDogs (independent; American Association) and Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (summer collegiate; Northwoods League).

New on the RoughRiders broadcast team this season: Chris Vosters, joining Alex Vispoli, the Voice of the RoughRiders, in delivering the play-by-play of Frisco games throughout the season, as well as anchoring the team’s pre- and post-game coverage for every contest. He will also assist with the team’s media relations and social media efforts.

Vosters spent the previous two baseball seasons working in the summer-collegiate Northwoods League. In 2013 he anchored live, nightly pre- and post-game coverage on the Northwoods League’s YouTube channel and provided play-by-play for the circuit’s All-Star Game, Big League Dream Showcase and select postseason games. In 2012 Vosters broadcast games for the Lakeshore Chinooks in their inaugural season.

A graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Vosters was active in student media, broadcasting football, hockey, basketball and softball at 91.7 WSUM, where he was the Sports Director. The Badger State native has been honored as a UW Journalism School Senior Achievement Award Winner and is a nine-time winner of the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Student Awards for Excellence. In 2013 he received an Honorable Mention in the Sportscasters Talent Agency of America’s list of top collegiate sports broadcasters.

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Lincoln Saltdogs Vice President/General Manager Tim Utrup is leaving the indy team after 13 seasons to become general manager for NC State’s Wolfpack Sports Properties.

Utrup has been instrumental for the Saltdogs franchise since its inaugural season in 2001, highlighted by helping the club win the 2009 American Association championship.

The 22-year front-office veteran has done a tremendous job for the Saltdogs, earning three Northern League/American Association “Executive of the Year” awards.

“The Lincoln Saltdogs wish Tim and his family well as he takes on the next phase of his professional career,” Saltdogs President Charlie Meyer said.

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The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters announced that Darren Besch has joined the front office as the team’s Director of Outside Ticket Sales. The team also announced that Jake Serwe, who has been with the team since 2012, has been named Inside Sales and Operations Manager.

Besch joins the Rafters for his first season as the Director of Outside Ticket Sales. In his new role, he will work with local business leaders to create business development and client and employee entertainment solutions. Prior to the Rafters, Besch worked as a Sales Executive with Princeton Group, Inc., a sports marketing firm in Middleton, Wisconsin. He has also spent the previous four years as an assistant coach with the Madison LaFollette High School baseball team. Besch received his bachelor’s degrees in Biology and History from Edgewood College in May 2010. During college Besch spent five seasons as a member of the Edgewood baseball team, helping the team to two conference titles. He is a native of Madison, Wisconsin.

Serwe returns for his third season with the Rafters and first as Inside Sales and Operations Manager. He spent the summer of 2012 as an operations intern and head groundskeeper for the team before most recently serving as Ticket Sales and Box Office Manager last summer. In his new role, Serwe will work with Rafters season ticket package holders, small businesses, and local non-profit organizations, including churches and little leagues, to find fundraising and group outing solutions. He will also manage the Incourage Community Foundation Lil’ Rafters Reading Program as well as Rafters ballpark operations during the summer. Serwe began his career in baseball as an intern with the Omaha Storm Chasers (Class AAA: Pacific Coast League). He received his bachelor’s degree in Sport Management from UW-Parkside in December 2012 and is a native of Brownsville, Wisconsin.

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