Complete with a new ownership group and a new logo, the Mankato MoonDogs (summer collegiate; Northwoods League) are undergoing some major changes for the 2018 season.
The new five-person ownership group of the MoonDogs is led by local investors Chad Surprenant, current president and CEO of the Mankato-based engineering and architectural firm ISG, and Kyle Smith, principal and director of development of The Tailwind Group. They are joined by Dan Kapanke, Chris Goodell, and Ben Kapanke. All three come to the group with extensive Northwoods League experience, as Dan Kapanke is the owner the La Crosse Loggers, while Goodell is currently La Crosse’s general manager with Ben Kapanke as the assistant general manager.
Along with a new ownership group, the MoonDogs have also received a new logo (shown above). These two announcements come as the team’s home, Franklin Rogers Park, receives some major upgrades for the 2018 season. A new playing surface and improved hospitality areas are among the amenities that are being added to the facility, and more upgrades could take place down the road. More from the Mankato Free Press:
Franklin Rogers Park has seen several improvements since the franchise has played there, including a new press box, roof over the grandstand, lights and hospitality decks along both sides of the playing surface. But the ballpark will have a dramatic new look this summer, with an artificial playing surface, new dugouts and concessions area, upgraded hospitality area and some different viewing options.
There is also a plan to add a video scoreboard in the future.
“There’s so much energy at the ballpark,” Surprenant said. “There’s a lot of good stuff happening there.”
All of the Franklin Rogers Park upgrades on track to be completed by the MoonDogs’ home opener on May 29. The new ownership group purchased the club from former owner Mark Ogren earlier this offseason.
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