Dart named IBL Executive of the Year
The Intercounty Baseball League today announced that London Majors owner Scott Dart has been selected as the recipient of the David E. Hastings Trophy as the IBL Executive of the Year for the 2004 season.
Dart, a 37-year-old native of London, purchased the Majors from long-time owner Arden Eddie last February. He enjoyed success both on the field and off in his inaugural campaign, averaging more than 1,000 fans during the playoffs and advancing to the IBL championship series. Dart also coordinated fund-raising programs through the Majors for local charities such as Community Living, London Urban Services Organization and the Alice Saddy Foundation.
"Even though he is a rookie in our league, Scott Dart is a very deserving recipient of this award," said IBL Commissioner Jim Rooney. "The qualities that he brings have helped raise our profile in London and throughout the league. Initiatives like working with minor baseball in London to grow the game and facilitating the development of the Majors Alumni organization has helped to rekindle the love of baseball as family-friendly entertainment in London. The entire IBL is fortunate to have Scott as part of our family."
The IBL Executive of the Year is voted on by the league owners and awarded annually to the executive that best combines success on the field and in the business aspects. The award honours executives who show outstanding leadership in advancing the IBL.
"I'm very flattered to receive this award despite my short history with the Intercounty Baseball League," said Dart. "It is truly an honour that I cherish and I look forward to continuing to build on the tradition of success that we enjoyed in 2004. I was welcomed with open arms by my partners around the league who helped me lay the groundwork for a successful franchise. I am very grateful to the players and managers of our ball club, as well as the London business community that has stepped up to support the London Majors."
It's the fourth time in the 24-year history of the award that it has been won by the London Majors. Eddie won the award three times, including most recently in 1998.
David E. Hastings Trophy (Executive of the Year)
YEAR EXECUTIVE, CLUB
1981 Jim Beal, St. Thomas
1982 Cam Allan, Cambridge
1983 Paul Puncher, Waterloo
1984 Jack Dominico, Toronto
1985 Ralph Stewart, Hamilton
1986 David Hastings, Guelph
1987 Fred Kursikowski, Waterloo
1988 Terry Clark, Brantford
1989 Dennis Schooley, Stratford
1990 Walter Gretzky, Brantford
1991 Arden Eddie, London
1992 Les Dunn, Guelph
1993 Les Dunn, Guelph
1994 Arden Eddie, London
1995 Terry Clark, Brantford
1996 Max Rausch, Kitchener
1997 Larry Pearson, Guelph
1998 Arden Eddie, London
1999 Brian Hanson, Hamilton
2000 Max Rausch, Kitchener
2001 Jack Dominico, Toronto
2002 Gary Calvert, Barrie / Jack Dominico, Toronto (tie)
2003 Kevin Hinton, Guelph
2004 Scott Dart, London
Photo courtesy of Sean Meyer, The Londoner