The Walla Walla Sweets (summer collegiate; West Coast League) have made a major promotion, elevating assistant general manager Dan Ferguson to the role of general manager.
Team president Zachary Fraser, who had returned to the GM role for the 2017 season, is continuing on in his role as president of the Sweets and the Yakima Valley Pippins. Both WCL clubs share the same ownership.
“Since Dan has joined the Sweets front office, ticket sales have increased by nearly 40%,” said Fraser. “That kind of performance is significant. He has been instrumental in improving the day-to-day operations of the team, and allowing me to continue to build the brand and the fan allegiance in the Walla Walla Valley.
“I’m thrilled for him to take this next step with our team.”
Ferguson, a WSU graduate and native of Seattle, joined the Sweets after serving as the Director of Ticket Sales for the Richmond (VA) Kickers of the USL. He has more than a decade of sports management experience, including stops in Seattle, Sacramento, Washington D.C., and St. Paul, MN. He will continue to oversee ticket sales and operations and now assume the day-to-day operational charge of the Sweets front office. Ferguson will work with Fraser and manager Frank Mutz in construction and oversight of the roster for the 2018 season. He will be the third general manager in team history, following Fraser (2010-2013,’17) and Katie Biagi (2014-16).
“I’m excited to continue and grow my role in the Walla Walla Valley,” said Ferguson. “Since arriving in 2015, I’ve been warmly welcomed by the team and the fans in #SweetsCountry, and I’ve made Walla Walla my home.
“We’re already deep into work and preparations for the 2018 season, and expect our ninth campaign to be the best we’ve ever had.”