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For more information, contact: ST. LOUIS SPORTS COMMISSION NAMED 2005 “SPORTS COMMISSION OF THE YEAR”ST. LOUIS – April 27, 2005 – The St. Louis Sports Commission has once again been recognized as the leader in its industry. The organization was chosen as the National Association of Sports Commissions' (NASC) 2005 Member of the Year. The NASC made the announcement Friday during its annual Sports Event Symposium in Portland, Ore. This marks the second time that the St. Louis Sports Commission has been named Sports Commission of the Year since the NASC began its awards program in 2001. The St. Louis Sports Commission previously won the honor in 2002 and is the only organization to have been selected Member of the Year twice. The Sports Commission of the Year award recognizes the NASC member that has had the most outstanding impact on its local community through sporting events, community events and economic impact. A panel of association members reviewed all nominations. More than 350 entities from 270 cities are members of the NASC – the sports event industry's leading networking organization. “It means a tremendous amount to have our colleagues salute our efforts, acknowledge the value we bring to our community, and say that we've become a model for sports commissions and cities around the country,” said St. Louis Sports Commission President Frank Viverito. “Everyone associated with our organization can take great pride in what we've accomplished over the past 12-plus months.” In that time, the Sports Commission experienced its busiest stretch ever. And while the quantity of high-profile events it produced was impressive, the quality of those events was equally – if not more – important. Among its achievements from the past year, the organization: • Hosted two NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, attracting a total of 30,000 visitors to St. Louis and generating $20 million in economic impact. The 2005 Championships drew the second highest attendance in the event's 75-year history. • Organized two Olympic trials events – the 2004 U.S. Olympic Women's Marathon Trials and the 2004 U.S. Olympic Diving Trials – that celebrated the centennial of the 1904 Olympic Games in St. Louis. The Diving Trials set an all-time total attendance record and were called “the best run Olympic Trials ever” by USA Diving's executive director.• Chaired the local task force for the Athens 2004 Olympic Torch Relay, in which St. Louis was one of only 35 cities worldwide and one of only four American cities on the first-ever global route. • Organized and produced St. Louis' Olympic Centennial Celebration on Art Hill in Forest Park the night of the Olympic Torch Relay. • Provided promotional and volunteer support for the NCAA Men's Basketball St. Louis Regional and the U.S. Senior Open. • Under the banner of Sports for Kids , coordinated a series of free clinics for volunteer youth coaches; a Sports Career Day for area high school students; and a sportsmanship summit for coaches, parents, and administrators. • Successfully bid on the Citizenship Through Sports Alliance Awards Dinner and the 2007 NCAA Men's Basketball St. Louis Regional; and was named a finalist to host the 2008-11 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships (a decision is expected in June). • Partnered with the Missouri Valley Conference, St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission and Saint Louis University to host the overwhelmingly successful 2005 NCAA Final Four. “This is a wonderful example of a regional partnership that works. The Sports Commission's events and programs bring people together from throughout the region and contribute to the area's economic and social well-being,” said Scott Schnuck, chair of the Sports Commission's board of directors. “I would like to extend special thanks to previous chair Doug Albrecht, whose leadership and vision helped take the organization to new heights.” The St. Louis Sports Commission is a privately funded nonprofit organization. Created in 1989, its mission is to benefit the St. Louis region through sports. Its upcoming events include the 2005 Citizenship Through Sports Alliance Awards Dinner (June 4); the 2006 U.S. Figure Skating Championships; 2007 NCAA Men's Basketball St. Louis Regional; 2007 NCAA Frozen Four; and the 2009 NCAA Women's Final Four. |
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