Tulsa Sports Commission Names New Executive Director
SPORTS FOR ECONOMY: Ready to enhance Tulsa’s sports offerings to bring more dollars to the area are, from left, Dave Nolan, senior vice president of VisitTulsa; Doug Stuart, chair of the Tulsa Sports Commission Board of Directors and president of J.D. Young Company; and Ray Hoyt executive director of the Tulsa Sports Commission.
VisitTulsa Senior Vice President Dave Nolan announced on Sept. 13 the selection of Ray Hoyt as the executive director of the Tulsa Sports Commission at a press conference at the Center.
“The Tulsa Sports Commission is building an impressive portfolio of events both created and attracted to impact the region’s economy and it is critical we build on that momentum now and utilize the incredible assets Tulsa has to offer as a sports destination,” said Nolan. “We feel strongly that Ray is the person to lead this organization in the right direction and strengthen Tulsa’s sports reputation.”
Hoyt previously served as the director of national games and athlete relations in the National Senior Games Association, headquartered in Baton Rouge, La., where he oversaw the direction of all national events and programs. Prior to that he was the executive director and president of the Senior Games in Louisville, Ky., where he was successful in partnering with businesses and agencies to gain financial and community support for the 2007 Senior Games and helping the event reach national prominence.
As the executive director of the Tulsa Sports Commission, Hoyt will oversee the creation and development of sports events opportunities in Tulsa and the surrounding area with the overall goal of providing a positive economic impact and improving the regional quality of life. Hoyt will report to the Tulsa Sports Commission’s Board of Directors and the VisitTulsa Advisory Council.
“The people already here, the vision of the leadership and the engagement of the community were all major factors that influenced my decision to accept this position and relocate to Tulsa,” said Hoyt. “Tulsa has recently built several new facilities to support a strong passion and commitment to a successful sports commission in the region. When my wife and I visited, we were impressed with the beauty and cleanliness of the city, the thoughtfulness of the people and their sense of community pride.”
The Tulsa Sports Commission serves to create a positive economic impact in the Tulsa region through attracting, developing and facilitating amateur sports events, sports-related conventions and other sports ventures enhancing the community’s quality of life. Since its inception, the has accounted for more than $250 million in economic impact to the Tulsa region. Recent events hosted or attracted to the region include the Saint Francis Tulsa Tough, 2010 Conference Championships and the 2nd and 3rd Rounds of the 2011 Tournament in March. The is also a founding member of the National Association of Sports Commissions.
“Sports is a huge economic generator for the tourism and entertainment industry, which provides a $1.2 billion economic impact each year and supports more than 24,000 jobs on an annual basis in the region,” said Doug Stuart, chairman of the Tulsa Sports Commission Board of Directors and president of J.D. Young Company. “The citizens in Tulsa and Tulsa County have invested millions of dollars in facilities and VisitTulsa and the Tulsa Sports Commission are working hard every day to return the investment.”
Hoyt officially joined the Chamber on Sept. 7, 2010. Developing a strategic plan to increase Tulsa’s profile and presence in the national sports industry will be among his first duties.
Updated 09-20-2010
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