Officials Unveil New Bluegrass Sports Commission: George W. Bush

Posted: March 1st, 2010

LEXINGTON – The Bluegrass Sports Commission (BSC) unveiled its mission to generate economic impact for Central Kentucky through the creation of additional events, facility development and convention business at a Tuesday morning press conference at Rupp Arena. With the Bluegrass State Games serving as the new entity’s signature event, the BSC also announced its first accomplishment: the procurement of Little League Baseball’s 25th International Congress, March 11-15, at the Lexington Center.

George W. Bush, the 43rd President of the United States, will be the honored guest at the Congress’s capstone event – the Chairman’s Banquet on Monday, March 15, at the Lexington Center. President Bush joins his father, George H.W. Bush who received the same honor in 1995, as a recipient of the “Distinguished Little League Ambassador Award.”

For eight years, President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush invited Little Leaguers to the White House for a series of Tee Ball on the South Lawn as a way to increase interest in baseball among young families. The President attended all 20 games, and at the end of each game, he personally presented an autographed baseball to the players and coaches.

“From his childhood, to his time in the business world, as the Governor of Texas, and later, the Presidency, President Bush has appreciated the benefits of participation in the Little League program,” said Dennis Lewin, Chairman of the Little League International Board of Directors, which boasts 2.6 million participants and one million volunteers annually. “He understands the leadership training aspects of Little League, and the far-reaching, positive impact that local leagues and volunteers have on communities around the world. We are proud and deeply honored that the former President has agreed to join us in Lexington.”

The convention, which is held every three years and has already sold out three Lexington-area hotels, will bring more than 1,600 leaders from around the world to Lexington for four days this month. Lexington Mayor Jim Newberry estimates that the meeting will have an economic impact of nearly $2 million on Central Kentucky.

As stated, the Little League Congress is serving as the “first pitch” for the new Bluegrass Sports Commission, which is the result of a formal merger of the old membership-based Lexington Area Sports Authority and the Bluegrass State Games. The BSC is an independent, non-profit organization responsible for recruiting, growing, executing and attracting sporting events of all sizes and types that will serve Central Kentucky by increasing economic activity and improving the quality of life for its citizens.

“With this new commission, we will work to attract, create, and grow events that will give the local community entertainment options that will enhance the lives of our citizens,” said BSC Chairman Alan Stein. “But our options are limitless through our conventions that we can attract, our opportunity to serve as an advocate for additional sport facility needs, and the many youth sport initiatives that are before us. This new sports commission will be a huge benefit to our economy here in Central Kentucky.”

In addition to creating new signature events for the BSC and attracting additional convention business, the board plans to assist the local governments throughout Central Kentucky in the development of additional multi-use sports facilities that will serve the local citizens while also generating opportunities to play host to local, regional and national events.

As a result of the tremendous room-night potential available, the pursuit of amateur sporting events has become big business for tourist and economic development councils, on both the state and national level. The growth of sports commissions in the United States has grown to nearly 300, a testament to the tremendous benefits to be gained from an effort dedicated to the pursuit of sports.

“It’s a tremendous honor to host to the Little League International Congress and continue our relationship with the Bluegrass State Games, but I am more excited about what the future holds with this new Bluegrass Sports Commission,” said Lexington Mayor Jim Newberry. “This is the creative thinking and the long-term vision this city needs during tough times, and I applaud Alan Stein and Brooks Downing and the leadership of this new board in taking the necessary action to make this happen.”

George Stafford, who served as the Director of the Bluegrass State Games last year, will serve as the new Executive Director of the Bluegrass Sports Commission.

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