RiverDogs' David Eller Honored as Visiting Clubhouse Manager of the Year

CHARLESTON, SC - South Atlantic League President Eric Krupa has announced the recipients of the 2015 South Atlantic League Outstanding Achievement Awards and the Charleston RiverDogs' David Eller was named the Visiting Clubhouse Manager of the Year for the 2015 season. The award was voted on by all 14 members of the South Atlantic League, and Eller was determined to be the league's best in the position.

"This is certainly the highlight of my career and it is another step toward my ultimate goal of working in Major League Baseball," said Eller. "I want to thank Dave Echols, Philip Guiry, Victor Russo and the four RiverDogs' batboys, as without their help and support I would not have been able to perform at such a high level. I also want to thank the South Atlantic League for the recognition and the RiverDogs for the opportunity to be a part of a great organization."

Eller has been working with the RiverDogs since 2009 when he was a bat boy and home clubhouse assistant. He transitioned to the role of visiting clubhouse manager in 2013. This is Eller's second league award as he was honored as SAL Bat Person of the Year in 2011.

"David has been a part of the RiverDogs family for a long time," said General Manager Dave Echols. "We know what kind of work and effort he puts forth day in and day out. It's great that the other teams around the league saw that and honored him for his hard work"

Eller's honor was the lone award doled out to the Charleston RiverDogs this season. A complete list of the 2015 honorees can be found below.

Club Merit Award:  The Asheville Tourists have been selected as the winner of this prestigious award, which is awarded for outstanding overall club operations. 

Community Service Award:  The Greensboro Grasshoppers have been selected as the winner of this award, which recognizes a club's charitable and philanthropic contributions to their community. This is the second year in a row that Greensboro has won this award.

Excellence in Marketing Award:  The Greenville Drive were selected as the recipients of this award to recognize outstanding marketing and promotions. This is the third time in six years that Greenville has won this award (2010, 2014).

General Manager of the Year:  Larry Hawkins of the Asheville Tourists has been selected as the winner of the General Manager of the Year Award. 

Female Executive of the Year:  Shannon Kidd of the Lexington Legends was selected as the Female Executive of the Year.

Media Relations Director of the Year: Greg Giombarrese of the Lakewood BlueClaws was selected as the Media Relations Director of the Year. This is the third time in five years that Giombarrese has won this award (2011, 2013)

Sales Executive of the Year:  Charlie Downs of the Hickory Crawdads was selected as the Sales Executive of the Year. This is the second time in five years that Downs has won this award (2011)

Sports Turf Manager of the Year:  Jake Holloway of the Greensboro Grasshoppers was named the 2015 Sports Turf Manager of the Year in the South Atlantic League. This is the second time Holloway won this award (2005). 

Best Playing Field Award:  NewBridge Bank Park, home of the Greensboro Grasshoppers, was also awarded the 2015 Best Playing Field Award. This is the second time the field in Greensboro has been honored (2005).

Athletic Trainer of the Year Award:  Trek Schuler of the Delmarva Shorebirds has been selected as the 2015 South Atlantic League Athletic Trainer of the Year by his peers in the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS). 

Bat Person of the Year Award:  Brandon Groomes from the Hagerstown Suns was selected as the Bat Person of the Year.

-RIVERDOGS-