Oct. 8, 2009

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Former Fighting Illini outfielder Brady Ballard has been named the general manager of the Daytona Cubs, Chicago's advanced-A affiliate, for the 2010 season. Next season will be Ballard's fifth in Daytona, where he served as an assistant general manager the past four years. He was a member of the Fighting Illini from 2000-01.

"I am honored that Big Game Capital (owner of the Daytona Cubs) has provided me the opportunity to step into the big shoes left by (former GM) Bill Papierniak," Ballard said in a press release issued by the club. "I look forward to our staff continuing to work with our many community partners while providing the area's most affordable family entertainment."

Ballard began his front-office career with the Jacksonville Suns, the double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, in 2004. Following his graduation from Illinois with an economics degree, Ballard played a season of professional baseball with the independent Rockford Riverhawks in the Frontier League. In his first season with the Cubs, Ballard was a part of the front office staff that won the 2006 Bob Freitas Award, given annually by Baseball America to recognize outstanding minor league operations.

Ballard was a two-year starter for the Fighting Illini, helping Illinois reach the NCAA Tournament in 2000 after winning the Big Ten Tournament. He was a career .325 hitter with 37 doubles and 79 RBIs in his two campaigns, earning All-Big Ten third team honors in both campaigns.