Some more executive of the year awards are being unveiled this afternoon. Up first is Auburn Doubledays general manager Mike Voutsinas, who has received the Robert Stedler New York-Penn League Executive of the Year Award for 2016.
Along with that prize, Voutsinas was recognized as the co-winner of the league’s Hon. Robert F. Julian Community & Baseball Service Award, which he shares with Gary Perone of the Brooklyn Cyclones.
The Executive of the Year Award is given annually to the individual who made an outstanding contribution to his/her club and the League. Candidates for the award are evaluated based on the following categories: attendance accomplishments, new or improved marketing initiatives, involvement in community & charitable organizations, promotions, stadium projects and enhancements, gameday and non-gameday events, and other relevant considerations.
Voutsinas was named the General Manager of the Doubledays in January 2014 and the team’s per-game average attendance has increased in each of his three seasons in Auburn. The team’s average of 1,427 fans per game this past season was 23% higher than the team’s per-game average of 1,158 in 2013.
The Doubledays have also realized a significant increase in corporate partnerships over the least three seasons, allowing the team to offer fans more fireworks nights (8 in 2016, 3 in 2013) as well as budget-friendly promotions such as Little Abners Club Nights with free admission and food for children on Sundays and One Dollar General Admission tickets on Fan Fare Mondays.
In addition, Falcon Park has seen many projects completed during Voutsinas’ tenure, including the installation of a new sound system, an expanded picnic area, free wi-fi throughout the ballpark, new ticketing and point-of-sale systems, the replacement of the outfield wall, and many other cosmetic improvements.
“Congratulations to Mike on this award, which is a great recognition of his hard work and value to the Doubledays and the League,” said Doubledays President Doug Selby.
The Community & Baseball Service Award is given annually to the individual that has made outstanding service contributions to their community and to baseball. The award was first given out in 2005 and Voutsinas is the first Auburn staff member to win the award.
Voutsinas is a member of the NYPL’s Charities Committee and the NYPL Charitable Foundation’s annual scholarship competition, which provides over $10,000 each year to graduating high school seniors from within the league’s footprint, is organized by the Doubledays front office.
Voutsinas is also a volunteer coach for Geddes Little League, recently volunteered to teach religious education classes, and often participates in community fundraisers and events. He has previously served on the Advisory Board for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Onondaga County and was the volunteer Athletic Director for Immaculate Conception Church’s CYO Basketball program for ten years.
“I am very honored and thankful to be recognized by the New York-Penn League as the recipient of the Executive of the Year Award and co-recipient of the Community & Baseball Service Award,” Voutsinas said. “While these are individual awards, they would not be possible without the tireless effort of our staff, the support of my family, and lessons learned from previous co-workers.”
The Stedler and Julian Awards continue a recent run of recognition for the Doubledays – Falcon Park Head Groundskeeper Brian Rhodes was named the 2015 NYPL Groundskeeper of the Year and the Doubledays were recognized this summer as the 2016 Seneca County Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year.