The Plymouth Rotary Club is pleased to announce Joe Hart, president of the South Bend Cubs, as their luncheon speaker on February 15th, at Noon at Christo’s Banquet Center. The public is invited to attend. Meals are $9 for a full buffet or $8 for soup and salad, payable at the door. Those interested in attending should contact Program Chairman, Doug Gehrke at 574-952-8934 or Douglas.Gehrke@ampf.com to reserve a spot.
Joe Hart has been working in Minor League Baseball since 1995. During his tenure in baseball, he has traveled across the country working for teams in Buffalo, NY, Nashville, TN, Fresno, CA, Port Charlotte, FL, and now South Bend, IN. Currently, he leads the South Bend Cubs as the Team President. Since Hart has been at the helm, the stadium has received over $5,000,000 in improvements and the Silver Hawks/South Bend Cubs have seen a strong resurgence in the community and surrounding area. The South Bend Cubs posted a 68% attendance increase for 2012 and 25% attendance increase in 2013, drawing in 245,000 fans. They also set a season attendance record in 2014 and again in 2015. In addition to increasing the season attendance, Hart was also instrumental in signing a 10 year contract for naming rights for the ballpark.
Prior to landing in South Bend, Hart was tapped as General Manager for the newest of the Ripken Baseball Franchises, the Charlotte Stone Crabs of the Florida State League (FSL). The launch of the Stone Crabs and the first three years of Hart’s tenure were hugely successful and the franchise was one of the top drawing clubs in the FSL. The success of the franchise led to Hart’s selection as the Florida State League Executive of the Year in 2011. He was named Midwest League Executive of the Year in 2013 and in 2014, Hart was selected as the St. Joseph County Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Young Business Leader.
Rotary is a local Community Service Organization of business and professional leaders dedicated to humanitarian service and high ethical standards, focused on goodwill and peace worldwide. The Plymouth Rotary Club meets every Monday at Noon at Christo’s Banquet Center.
