Rockers named 2023 Organization of the Year

The Green Bay Rockers were named 2023 Organization of the Year at the Northwoods League annual fall meeting in Willmar, Minnesota, last month. Submitted Photo

Heather Graves

Staff

November 1, 2023

ASHWAUBENON – The Green Bay Rockers have another reason to celebrate.

Just months after claiming its first Northwoods League championship as a team, the 17-year-old franchise was named the Northwoods League 2023 Organization of the Year.

“For our players and coaches, specifically, the championship was fantastic,” Rockers Vice President and General Manager John Fanta said. “It’s great to be a part of the winning culture – and I think that stems from everything we do on a daily basis. But the Organization of the Year award, I think, definitely means a lot to our front office staff, our ownership group and all of our part-time associates who help us during the year.”

Fanta said the recognition is the culmination of a lot of hard work.

“Everybody has done a great job,” he said. “This is the culmination of some recognition we’ve gotten in conjunction with winning on the field. It’s also nice to get that recognition as a whole (as an organization).”

Fanta said there were 24 teams in the Northwoods League this past summer, so, “it was a special honor to be recognized by our peers for doing things the right way.”

John Fanta

“We had a special year on the field, but all the impactful things we’ve done in the community off the field and things we continue to strive to be a part of – being recognized for that from your peer group across the entire league, which is the largest one in the country for summer collegiate style – is nice for us and we appreciate it.”

Focused on the fans
Fanta said he credits much of the team’s community success to its rebrand – which happened in 2021 when the team transitioned from the Green Bay Booyah to the Green Bay Rockers.

In addition to a new name, the rebrand was accompanied by a new mascot – Rhode, new jerseys and the introduction of live, pre-game and in-game music.

“Music is an important part of the experience,” he said.

Fanta said the goal of the rebrand and the continued focus of the front office is to make Capital Credit Union Park a place to bring the community together while focusing on the overall fan experience.

“This Organization of the Year award reaffirms the Rockers brand of affordable fun is resonating in the Greater Green Bay area,” he said.

During the 2023 season, the Rockers had 54,271 fans come through the gates over 36 games for an average of 1,508 fans per game.

In addition to Rockers baseball games, Capital Credit Union Park hosts a variety of community events throughout the year, such as movie night. Submitted Photo

“We are honored to be recognized (by the league) after a record-setting season,” he said.

Fanta said the staff’s main focus is making sure everyone has fun – from the huge baseball fans to the casual ones, and everyone in between.

“We see a lot of season ticket holders and host families coming to every game, but it’s always enjoyable to see that fan coming for the first time and realizing how much fun it can be,” he said. “It is an affordable way to get your entire family for a night of fun without breaking the bank. I think that’s one thing we pride ourselves on consistently.”

Another addition to the ballpark this past season, Fanta said, was the installation of a new, state-of-the-art 20-feet-by-80-feet video board in right field.

“That totally enhanced the experience during Rockers games and for other events we’ve had at the facility,” he said.

In addition to the season’s on-field success, Fanta said the organization had many off-field successes as well through its community investment initiatives, including:

Donating more than $74,000 to 36 local nonprofit organizations as part of the Alliance Insurance Center nonprofit 50-50 raffle opportunity.Made more than 400 donations to local charitable events.Held two jersey auctions that raised $10,965, with proceeds benefiting Pulaski Polka Days and St. Vincent Hospital NICU.Donated more than 1,500 hats to six youth Little League organizations.Provided 5,270 students an opportunity to attend a Rockers game through the Scott’s Subs Rock the Classroom initiative.
“One of our core values as an organization is community – we want to make sure this is an environment for individuals and families to build relationships when they come out to the ballpark,” he said.

Fanta said it’s important to get Rockers players and staff out into the community – volunteering and connecting.

During the 2023 season, the Green Bay Rockers had 54,271 fans come through the gates over 36 games for an average of 1,508 fans per game. Submitted Photo

“We’re not a pro sports franchise,” he said. “We are a collegiate, minor league-type experience – and there’s a difference with that. There is a little bit more intimacy.”

At a Rockers game, Fanta said there is a more tangible connection between fans and players.

“When you come to one of our games, our players walk through the crowd and sign autographs for the kids – (a little different) than at the professional level,” he said.

That connection, Fanta said, is something the organization has with the community year-round.

“We try to bring that out into the community as well,” he said. “All of our staff, our associates, live here year-round – so, they’re a part of the community.”

Fanta said the organization also partnered with Cornerstone Ice Arena to open a concession stand through Boomerang Catering – an extension of the Rockers brand – which will serve the community throughout the year.

Gearing up for next season
Though known to many as the home of the Green Bay Rockers, Fanta said Capital Credit Union Park also hosts a handful of community events throughout the year.

Rockers game and special event attendance combined, Fanta said the park hosted more than 100,000 people in 2023 – a number the team strives to hit or exceed next year.

Fanta said planning for what the next season looks like in terms of game promotions and special events is just beginning.

“We’re going through all the different giveaways, guest appearances, theme nights and stuff like that over the next several weeks,” he said. “Our schedule will be released in early December by the Northwoods League – once we get that clear path forward, we’ll start making some announcements on some things.”