We have personnel news to report from the Frisco RoughRiders (Class AA; Texas League) and the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (summer collegiate; Northwoods League).
In Frisco, the RoughRiders have added longtime industry veteran Erik Haag to the front office staff as their Chief Business Development Officer.
Haag brings more than 25 years of experience in the sports and entertainment industry to the RoughRiders, including stops with several Minor League Baseball franchises, the NBA, Total Sports Entertainment, Inc., and Notre Dame Sports Properties. He is also a partner of the Blackthorn Operating Group.
“With Erik’s vast experience and success in the realm of corporate partnerships, the opportunity to add him to our team was too enticing to resist,” Riders President and General Manager Andy Milovich said. “Erik recognizes the roles sports play in becoming part of the fabric of our community. He has the experience and ability to build the creative partnerships that connect the RoughRiders and our partners to the community in the way only minor league baseball does. I have no doubt he will flourish.”
Haag and the RoughRiders are already hard at work preparing for the 2020 season, which begins April 16 at Dr Pepper Ballpark.
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In Wisconsin Rapids, the Rafters have announced staffing changes, including the promotion of Hannah Jurgens to Assistant General Manager and Thomas Dyer‘s move to Ticket Accounts Executive and Ballpark Operations Manager.
“I am thrilled to continue to have both Hannah and Thomas on staff for the 2020 season,” said Rafters general manager Andy Francis. “I look forward to seeing a lot of growth in the 2020 season both for these two individuals and the organization as a whole.”
Jurgens kick-started her baseball career as an intern with Wisconsin Rapids in 2018. She spent the 2019 season as the Rafters Accounts and Corporate Service Manager, working closely with corporate sponsors, package-holders and groups. In addition, Jurgens oversaw the Rafters promotional team as they consistently entertained fans throughout the summer.
In her new expanded role, Jurgens will continue to engage fans and corporate sponsors while managing the ticket office and hiring process for the Rafters. She will be responsible for bringing on interns and gameday staff for the 2020 season.
“Hannah has taken a big step forward in year one, which led to her promotion,” Francis said. “She has an excellent handle on the organization and that understanding will have a positive impact on the rest of our staff.”
Dyer enters his second season with the Rafters after serving as the Tickets Account Manager during the 2019 season. Dyer settled in quickly in Wisconsin Rapids, building relationships with current and potential fans as he helped find them the best entertainment options at Historic Witter Field.
After overseeing all aspects of food and beverage for the Rafters, Dyer now takes the lead in all aspects of day-to-day ballpark operations. He will continue to provide excellent customer service to Rafters fans as the Ticket Accounts Executive.
“Thomas is an exceptionally quick learner and has a knack for picking things up quickly and adjusting on the fly,” Francis said. “Those are qualities I like to have in every member of my staff.”