Vermont Lake Monsters, Norwich's Walter Jr. Earn 2024 Organization & Executive Honors

WEYMOUTH, Mass. 一 The official reveal of Futures League annual award winners concluded Tuesday as the Vermont Lake Monsters were named the 2024 Organization of the Year, while Norwich Sea Unicorns General Manager Lee Walter Jr. was recognized as the William J. Terlecky Executive of the Year.

Commissioner Joe Paolucci presented the awards during the Futures League's Fall Organizational Meeting, which was held last month in Worcester.

ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR
Vermont Lake Monsters

Led by President & CEO Chris English and Senior Vice President C.J. Knudsen, the Lake Monsters earned Organization of the Year honors for the third time in four years after initially winning the award in back-to-back years upon joining the Futures League in 2021 and 2022. Only the Worcester Bravehearts (2014, 2016, 2017, 2019) have taken this title four times.

"Vermont did an outstanding job this year both on and off the field," Paolucci said. "They have become a model franchise in our league and they do everything first-class. The leadership of Chris and C.J. ensures that the Lake Monster fans have a great experience at the ballpark and they don't go home disappointed."

Vermont continued to set the pace in the Futures League in terms of attendance, welcoming a league-leading 90,710 fans through the gates of historic Centennial Field in Burlington during the summer. The Lake Monsters' attendance total ranked inside the top-25 of all summer collegiate teams, according to Ballpark Digest's national rankings. 

The 2024 season marked the third straight in which Vermont hosted more than 2,000 fans on a per-game basis, with nine games being sold out (eight of 3,000+ and one of 4,000+). The largest crowds came on the team's three "Hot Dog Hysteria" nights, as fans chowed down on more 25,000 25-cent hot dogs. When fans were unable to attend in person, the team continued a partnership with 15 home games being broadcast on WYCI television to homes across Vermont and western New York.

The Lake Monsters continued to be outstanding community partners during the past season, raising money via a ticket fundraiser program for local schools, non-profits and little leagues, as well as through game-worn jersey auctions, 50/50 raffles and various other donations.

Vermont was the home to the Futures League's Best Ballpark Food for the second time in three years with Champ's Fury Original Hot Sauce, while the team's Concessions & Assistant Merchandise Manager, Grace Vincent, was selected as Staff Member of the Year. 

As for the on-field product, manager Matt Fincher led Vermont to its fourth postseason appearance in as many summers, playing eventual champion Norwich to three games in their semifinal series. The ballclub produced the Futures League's Most Valuable Player for the first time in catcher Mark Quatrani (Cornell), while Sean Gamble (Minnesota State) was named the Relief Pitcher of the Year during his second season in Vermont.

"The Vermont Lake Monsters are truly honored to be named the Organization of the Year. The 2024 season marked our 30th season for our franchise and this is a great tribute to wrap up the year," Knudsen said. "We wish to thank and recognize our amazing fans, sponsors, host families, and supporters. We also want to thank our outstanding employees, coaches, and players that help provide a wonderful fan experience. This is a total team effort, both on and off of the field.

"As we prepare for next season and welcome our 3,000,000th fan in franchise history, we'll continue to work hard and strive for another successful winning season on the field and bring back a championship to Centennial," Knudsen added.

WILLIAM J. TERLECKY EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR
Lee Walter, Jr., Norwich Sea Unicorns

The William J. Terlecky Executive of the Year Award went to Walter, whose tireless efforts at the helm of the Sea Unicorns have resulted in a dramatic increase in attendance and the first two Futures League championships in franchise history. Following his third season as Norwich's General Manager, Walter earned the honor for the first time.

"This is the toughest award to give out every year because we have so many hard-working and talented executives in this league. This year, Lee separated himself with an incredible All-Star event as well as winning back-to-back Futures League championships," Paolucci said. "The planning and the effort that went into the 2024 All-Star Game was certainly special.  Lee is a proven leader, not just with Norwich but throughout the entire Futures League as well."

Following a 2023 season in which Norwich won its first title and earned Organization of the Year honors, the Sea Unicorns put together a successful encore in 2024 both on and off the field. Under Walter's direction, Norwich hosted the second-highest total and average attendances in the organization's four-year Futures League history, while a crowd of 3,159 came in July to attend the first All-Star Game at Dodd Stadium since the former New York-Penn League in 2013.

Even before his promotion to the GM level ahead of Norwich's second Futures League season in 2022, Walter was no stranger to working at Dodd. He joined the Sea Unicorns in November 2018 as Business Development Manager and was also promoted to Director of Business Development & Stadium Operations in June 2021. He was a game day employee of the then-Connecticut Tigers for the three prior seasons, working in the press box and with the grounds crew.

In addition to his front office responsibilities, Walter can still be seen performing the latter duty with the assistance of his staff throughout the summer, working tirelessly to ensure that the stadium playing surface is in game-ready condition. Walter and his team also ensure that Dodd Stadium is open to the community by hosting various sports and other events, including youth and high school baseball and the new Dodd Stadium Disc Golf Series, which was chosen as the Futures League's Best Non-Baseball Event of 2024.

"I am honored to be selected by Futures League Commissioner Joe Paolucci as this year's recipient of the William J. Terlecky Executive of the Year Award," Walter said. "We are privileged to have so many great executives in our league who could be selected every year. I proudly share this award with the entire Sea Unicorns' front office staff as I would not be as effective at my role without the folks I am fortunate enough to work with every day!"

The Executive of the Year Award is named for Bill Terlecky, the former North Shore Navigators GM who lost his courageous battle with cancer in October of 2020.

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