Tarboro River Bandits Owners Wayne and Susan Turnage Named ONSL Executive of the Year

League honors husband-and-wife ownership team for building a ballpark experience that has become a community fixture

TARBORO, N.C. — August 31, 2026 — Wayne and Susan Turnage, co-owners of the Tarboro River Bandits, have been named the Old North State League Executive of the Year. The honor recognizes the couple's work building the franchise from its founding in 2020 into one of the league's best-attended and most community-supported teams.

The River Bandits this year saw a 15 percent increase in attendance over 2025, with a growing share of that crowd traveling in from surrounding counties.

"Our vision when we started this organization back in 2020 was to bring entertainment and a high level brand of baseball into the Tarboro community," Wayne and Susan said. "Seeing the magnitude of people that has welcomed us to this community is heartfelt."

League Commissioner Eric Sibrizzi said the recognition reflects an investment that reaches well past the roster and the record.

"Wayne and Susan represent what outstanding leadership is all about," Sibrizzi said. "They have not only built a successful organization, but they have invested their time, passion, and resources into creating something special for the Tarboro community. Their dedication to their players, staff, fans and the community goes far beyond the field. They lead with vision and continually look for ways to make the River Bandits a source of pride for the entire community. Their commitment and heart make them truly deserving of the Executive of the Year honor."

The River Bandits finished the regular season number 1 in the Tidewater division with 28-2 and finished second in the ONSL Playoffs. 

The couple pointed to the relationship between the team and Tarboro's young fans as the most rewarding part of the season, and said the goal for the 2027 season is a larger one.

"We're continuing to grow the organization in being the best brand of baseball and family fan experience in North Carolina," they said. "We are striving to be a destination for all baseball fans from all over that will want to take a trip to Tarboro to see the River Bandits."