Futures League Recognizes 2025 Organization & Executive of the Year

ROCKLAND, Mass. 一 The Futures League has recognized the Worcester Bravehearts as the 2025 Organization of the Year, while Vermont Lake Monsters Senior Vice President C.J. Knudsen earned William J. Terlecky Executive of the Year honors.

Commissioner Joe Paolucci presented the awards during the Futures League's Organizational Meeting, which was held earlier this fall in Lowell.

ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR
Worcester Bravehearts

Under the leadership of the Vaccaro Family and General Manager Donny Porcaro Jr., the Bravehearts enjoyed a memorable season both on and off the field, claiming Organization of the Year for the fifth time in their 12-year history in Worcester and first since 2019.

"The Worcester Bravehearts have shown what it truly means to be an Organization of the Year," Paolucci said. "Their record-setting success on the field is matched only by their extraordinary commitment to education, inclusion, and community impact. From inspiring thousands of students through innovative programs to building bridges across generations and championing sustainability, the Bravehearts have set the gold standard for what a Futures League franchise can achieve. They didn't just win games in 2025—they strengthened the very fabric of Worcester and our league."

Worcester welcomed over 56,000 fans through the gates of Fitton Field on the College of the Holy Cross campus during the 2025 season, marking the franchise's highest total and average attendance since 2019. The team also hosted the Futures League All-Star festivities in July, including a Home Run Derby and Craft Beer Festival at Fitton Field and the All-Star Game at Polar Park, the home of the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox.

The Bravehearts continued to make a standout impact in the community. Year-round programs such as the Ticket-to-Read Program with Central Massachusetts area schools and the Pen Pal Clubs were tied into a packed summer of activities at the ballpark, while the team donated $3,000 to local youth baseball and softball organizations and hosted a series of baseball clinics in conjunction with the WooSox among its countless ventures. 

As part of hosting the 2025 All-Star Game, the team also hosted the All-Star Communities Donation Drive, working with the other Futures League franchises to collect school supplies for the youth at the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester. This effort was recognized as the Futures League's Best Community Promotion.

On the field, the Bravehearts set a Futures League single-season record with 45 wins and finished atop the standings by 5.5 games with Manager of the Year Luke Beckstein at the helm. Worcester rattled off a 10-game winning streak following its 2-4 start and never looked back, climbing as high as 28 games above .500 in August. Beckstein's club led the league in including batting average (.280), runs (395), home runs (34), stolen bases (176, second-most in league history), on-base percentage (.378), ERA (3.94) and fewest earned runs allowed (223). A league-high 14 players earned All-Star status in July, while six were named All-Futures League following the summer.

"This is the standard we strive for at the beginning of every season," said Bravehearts President Matt Vaccaro. "We're so proud of our staff for bringing the team back to being the standard of the Futures League. This is an award that was not only won by our staff, but by the entire fan base and our partners who came out and supported us. Without this city's constant belief in our team, this would not have been possible."

"At the beginning of every season, we tell our staff the most unique part of working for the Bravehearts is the impact you can have on the team," Porcaro said. "I hope everyone who put on a Bravehearts jersey or staff polo this season knows that they earned this award."

WILLIAM J. TERLECKY EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR
C.J. Knudsen, Vermont Lake Monsters

Knudsen's leadership kept the Lake Monsters as a competitive force and a community pillar again in 2025, helping him become just the second three-time winner of the William J. Terlecky Executive of the Year Award in league history. He was also honored in 2021 and 2023.

"C.J. Knudsen has exemplified what it means to be an Executive of the Year," Paolucci said. "His leadership has not only propelled the Vermont Lake Monsters to sustained success on the field, but also strengthened their role as a cornerstone of the community. From record-setting attendance and expanded media reach to impactful charitable initiatives and innovative partnerships, C.J.'s vision has elevated the Lake Monsters into one of the league's premier organizations. His commitment to excellence, both competitively and socially, sets a standard for all Futures League executives."  

Under Knudsen, the team drew nearly 97,000 fans across 36 home games, including 12 sellouts and five crowds topping 4,000—a testament to a thriving fan experience and community engagement. The Vermont fans saw a winning product again, with the Lake Monsters winning 40 games to reach the postseason for the fifth consecutive summer and keeping a league-best .629 winning percentage since the franchise's start in the Futures League in 2021.

Beyond the diamond, Knudsen's impact rippled through the community. He launched a landmark partnership with Northeast Delta Delta Dental that rebranded Burlington's ballpark as Delta Dental Diamond at Centennial Field, ensuring long-term support for Vermont baseball. This summer, the team also welcomed its three millionth fan in franchise history, sold over 28,000 hot dogs during their wildly popular Hot Dog Hysteria (25-cent hot dog nights), and raised over $58,000 for local causes through jersey auctions, raffles and other fundraisers. Knudsen also expanded the team's media reach with TV and radio broadcast deals that brought games into the homes of fans across Vermont and northern New York.

"I'm very honored to be selected as the William J. Terlecky Executive of the Year," Knudsen said. "This award is a true reflection of our entire franchise and the efforts and dedication our staff give to the community that supports us so well. Thank you to The Futures League owners and Commissioner Joe Paolucci and Associate Commissioner Josh Kummins for this recognition and distinction."

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 2020.

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