South Bend Cubs win national award, highest honor in MiLB
SOUTH BEND, Ind. -
The South Bend Cubs received the highest honor in Minor League Baseball, the John H. Johnson President's Award. The team was notified at noon on Wednesday they were picked from all 160 teams in the country.
The John H. Johnson award is based on financial stability, contributions to league stability, contributions to baseball in the community and promotion of the baseball industry.
The South Bend Cubs are the 42 team to receive the award.
Team representatives will receive the award during the Baseball Winter Meetings on Sunday, December 6 in Nashville, Tennessee.
This is only the second time an Indiana team has won the award. Indianapolis won in 1988.
In a press release, Pat O'Conner, the Minor League Baseball President & CEO said, "Through dedication to their community and commitment to making Four Winds Field a better place for fans, the South Bend Cubs broke attendance records and became a business leader in their area. This award recognizes them for their pursuit in setting a higher standard for all of Minor League Baseball. On behalf of Minor League Baseball, I congratulate the South Bend Cubs on an outstanding season and wish them continued success in the future.”
“Frankly, this is an award we have to share with every fan in every city, town and village from a hundred miles around. Without them, we wouldn’t be receiving it. This is the greatest baseball region in the world. And it’s an honor to accept this distinction on behalf of the executives at Four Winds Field who make it a place to call home for nearly 350,000 men, women and children all summer long. We have the best executives in the business and the best fans in minor league baseball," said Team Owner Andrew Berlin in the press release.
The team won this award during the inaugural season of the South Bend Cubs.
The team set franchise records for the largest single season attendance at 347,678 fans and the average attendance was 5,039 at Four Winds Field, according to the team.
“On behalf of the entire South Bend Cubs organization, we are incredibly honored to accept the 2015 John H. Johnson President's Award,” said South Bend Cubs President Joe Hart in the press release. “To be selected for this prestigious award over some of the best franchises across the nation is extremely humbling. The 2015 season broke a number of longstanding records in South Bend and would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of our front office and gameday staffs. We pride ourselves on having the most passionate and customer service-focused people working for us. It is wonderful to see their hard work recognized.”
PAST JOHN H. JOHNSON PRESIDENT’S AWARD WINNERS
1974 Rochester, International
1975 Tacoma, Pacific Coast
1976 Mexico City Red Devils, Mexican
1977 Fresno, California
1978 Iowa, American Association
1979 Denver, American Association
1980 Quad-City, Midwest
1981 Great Falls, Pioneer
1982 Tacoma, Pacific Coast
1983 Louisville, American Association
1984 Albuquerque, Pacific Coast
1985 Las Vegas, Pacific Coast
1986 El Paso, Texas
1987 Syracuse, International
1988 Indianapolis, American Association
1989 Durham, Carolina
1990 Pawtucket, International
1991 Albuquerque, Pacific Coast
1992 Buffalo, American Association
1993 Norfolk, International
1994 Billings, Pioneer
1995 Columbus, International
1996 Salt Lake, Pacific Coast
1997 Richmond, International
1998 Lynchburg, Carolina
1999 Tulsa, Texas
2000 Portland, Eastern
2001 Eugene, Northwest
2002 Iowa, Pacific Coast
2003 Reading, Eastern
2004 Rochester, International
2005 Trenton, Eastern
2006 Altoona, Eastern
2007 Midland, Texas
2008 Cedar Rapids, Midwest
2009 San Jose, California
2010 Billings, Pioneer
2011 Tennessee, Southern
2012 Dayton, Midwest
2013 Vancouver, Northwest
2014 Durham, International