The 2020 Florida Senior Games
EVENT: The 2020 Florida Senior Games is an Olympic-style competition for athletes age 50 and over. In its 29th year, the Florida Senior Games, is a program of the Florida Sports Foundation, the state’s lead organization in promoting and developing Florida’s sports industry and tourism opportunities.
COMPETITION DATES: Friday, December 5 through Sunday, December 13, 2020.
LOCATIONS: Competition for 21 sports and events will be held at 15 different sites throughout the state. Events will be hosted in Alachua, Brevard, Orange, Pasco, Pinellas and Polk counties.
EXPECTED TO COMPETE: Over 1,600 athletes age 50 and over will compete in the 2020 Florida Senior Games. Athletes from 228 Florida cities, 35 states and Canada have registered as of November 23
GETTING TO THE FLORIDA SENIOR GAMES: Florida residents must qualify at one of over 21 Florida Senior Games Series Qualifiers. Series Qualifiers are held January through April and September through November. Athletes residing in Florida must finish in the top five of their age group in their sport to qualify for the Florida Senior Games. Out-of-state athletes are not required to qualify.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Online registration is closed for most sports. However, registration is still available for the following sports at www.floridaseniorgames.com:
Racquetball – Through Wednesday, November 25
Table Tennis – Through Thursday, November 26
Bag Toss – Through Monday, November 30
Archery – Through, Tuesday, December 1
Horseshoes – Through Friday, December 4
5K Road Race – Through Friday, December 4
ON-SITE REGISTRATION WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR ANY SPORT. Registration fees vary by sport.
AWARDS: One set of medals will be awarded to the top 3 finishers, and a fourth place ribbon. Divisions with in-state and out of state athletes: In the event that out of state athlete(s) are competing in a division and finish in the top four, the out of state athlete will not take an award away from a Florida Athletes. If an out of state athlete is a gold medal winner, then the next four finishers will receive gold, silver and bronze medals and ribbon. If a division has out of state athlete(s) that do not finish in the top three, then only one set of medals will be awarded, since the out of state athlete did not affect the in-state athlete from placing.
FLORIDA SENIOR GAMES HISTORY: Since the inception of the Florida Senior Games in 1992, eight different communities have hosted the annual Olympic-style Sports Festival for athletes age 50 and over. The 2020 Games welcomes Alachua, Brevard, Pasco and Orange counties to the list of hosts during the 29-year history. Since 1992, a total of 54,760 athletes have registered to compete in the Florida Senior Games.
For more information about the Florida Senior Games, visit http://www.floridaseniorgames.com, or contact Nick Gandy at media@playinflorida.com or (850) 322-3404.
Sports of the 2020 Florida Senior Games (Schedule Subject to Change)
Archery
DATE: Sunday, December 6, 2020
LOCATION: Easton Newberry Sports Complex, Newberry (Alachua County)
YEARS IN FLORIDA SENIOR GAMES: 29 years, since 1992REGISTERED ATHLETES: 95, as of November 23.
ABOUT THE FACILITY: The Easton Newberry Archery Complex is located west of the City of Gainesville. The facility, which opened in 2009, is a dedicated outdoor range with a 160-foot covered shooting line. The practice field is used for daily lessons and tournament warm-up and has shooting distances out to 90 meters. It is connected to the facility by a large paved patio and sidewalks.
NOTABLE ATHLETES: Myers Parrish, Sarasota, Compound & Release record holder in the 60-64 and 65-69 age groups, competing in 75-79 age group of the event in 2020. Melanie White, Weston, Compound & Release record holder in the 50-54 and 55-59 age groups. Shot the all-time best women’s Compound & Release score of 877 in 2013.SPORT DIRECTOR: Tim Austin, Gainesville, 29th year as FSG Archery Sport Director
Bag Toss
DATE: Saturday, December 5, 2020
LOCATION: – Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County, Wesley Chapel (Pasco County)YEARS IN FLORIDA SENIOR GAMES: Eight years, since 2013
REGISTERED ATHLETES: 9, as of November 23.
ABOUT THE FACILITY: The Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus (WRSCPC) hosts Bag Toss, Basketball Shooting, 3-on-3 Basketball and Volleyball at the 98,000 square foot facility that features 70,000 square feet of total clear span hardwood surface. The indoor facility has room for 16 volleyball and eight basketball courts.NOTABLE ATHLETES: Calvin Lawrence, Lake Alfred, will also compete in Track and Field events (discus and shot put in the 55-59 age group) on Sunday, December 13; Claudette Braswell, Lake Wales, 2007 FSG Female Athlete of the Year who has won a Bag Toss gold medal every year since 2014.
SPORT DIRECTOR: Ryan Schwartzkopf, TampaBasketball Shooting
DATE: Saturday, December 5, 2020
LOCATION: Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County, Wesley Chapel (Pasco County)
YEARS IN FLORIDA SENIOR GAMES: 29 years, since 1992REGISTERED ATHLETES: 7 teams (5 male, 2 female), as of November 23
ABOUT THE FACILITY: The Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus (WRSCPC) hosts Bag Toss, Basketball Shooting, 3-on-3 Basketball and Volleyball at the 98,000 square foot facility that features 70,000 square feet of total clear span hardwood surface. The indoor facility has room for 16 volleyball and eight basketball courts.
NOTABLE ATHLETES: Carol Walters, The Villages, has won seven consecutive free throw shooting gold medals and Time Field Goal Shooting golds in six of the last seven years; Ronn Wyckoff, Sarasota, has hit a perfect 30 for 30 free throws in 2015 and 2018 and has coached basketball teams from the local youth level to international teams.
SPORT DIRECTOR: Richard Blalock, GainesvilleBasketball
DATES: Saturday, December 5 and Sunday, December 6, 2020
LOCATION: Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County, Wesley Chapel (Pasco County)YEARS IN FLORIDA SENIOR GAMES: 27 years, since 1994
REGISTERED ATHLETES:
ABOUT THE FACILITY: The Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus (WRSCPC) hosts Bag Toss, Basketball Shooting, 3-on-3 Basketball and Volleyball at the 98,000 square foot facility that features 70,000 square feet of total clear span hardwood surface. The indoor facility has room for 16 volleyball and eight basketball courts.
NOTABLE ATHLETES: Peggy Peck, The Villages, is the 2019 FSG Female Athlete of the Year and a member of the 60+ Villages Seabreeze team. Is also registered for 12 track and field events; EJ Tarpey, Vero Beach, is a member of the 55+ Geezers team and won gold medals in the 2019 Free Throw and Timed Field Goal shooting events. He played with the St. Peter’s Peacocks, in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, from 1983-85.
SPORT DIRECTOR: Richard Blalock, Gainesville
Bowling, Individual
DATES: Saturday, December 5, 2020 (M/W Doubles & Mixed) and Sunday, December 6, 2020 (M/W Singles)
LOCATION: – River Lanes Family Entertainment Center, Titusville (Brevard County)YEARS IN FLORIDA SENIOR GAMES: 29 years, since 1992
REGISTERED ATHLETES: 71, as of November 23
ABOUT THE FACILITY: The River Lanes Family Entertainment Center is Brevard County’s premiere destination for entertainment, food and fun The 32 lanes are equipped with flat screen displays, automatic scoring and high definition large screen televisions.
NOTABLE ATHLETES: Carol Teel, The Villages, 2017 Female Athlete of the Year, Women’s Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles record holder and only woman to bowl a FSG 300 game, in 2012; Lawrence Draeger, Pensacola, bowled a FSG 300 game in 2011; Gregory Lindsay, North Fort Myers, Men’s Doubles record holder and bowled a 300 game in 2017
EVENT DIRECTOR: Charlene Harmon, Titusville
Bowling, Team
DATES: Saturday, December 5 (Mixed Team) and Sunday, December 6 (M/W Teams)
LOCATION: River Lanes Family Entertainment Center (Titusville)
YEARS IN FLORIDA SENIOR GAMES: 13 years, since 2008REGISTERED ATHLETES: 24, seven teams, as of November 23
ABOUT THE FACILITY: The River Lanes Family Entertainment Center is Brevard County’s premiere destination for entertainment, food and fun The 32 lanes are equipped with flat screen displays, automatic scoring and high definition large screen televisions.
NOTABLE ATHLETES: Ed Fenstermacher, The Villages, won a hat-trick of championships in 2019, with three gold medals in three different age groups. In earning the three gold medals, Fenstermacher knocked down 2,016 points in
nine games.
SPORT DIRECTOR: Charlene Harmon, TitusvilleCycling (5K and 10K Time Trials)
DATE: Thursday, December 11, 2020
LOCATION: Fort DeSoto Park, Tierra Vierde (Pinellas County)YEARS IN FLORIDA SENIOR GAMES: 5 and 10K Time Trials, 29 years, since 1992; 20 and 40K Road Race, 22 years, since 1999
REGISTERED ATHLETES: 117, as of November 23
ABOUT THE FACILITY: The 5K and 10K Cycling Time Trials return to perhaps the most scenic of any cycling course in the country at Fort De Soto Park. Located on the Gulf of Mexico, in Tierra Vierde, (southern Pinellas County) the park has been ranked among the nation’s best beaches. Also, ideal for the cyclists pushing themselves against the ticking clock, is the lack of traffic since roads in the park are closed during the races.
NOTABLE ATHLETES: Kathy Petrillo, Jupiter, 2016 Female Athlete of the Year, 5K and 10K Time Trials record holder in two age groups; Luigi Fabbri, Hallandale, a Florida Senior Games competitor since 1995.Steven Olsen, Inverness, recumbent cycling record holder in the 5K and 10K Time Trials in the 55-59 age group with best overall times in the event.
SPORT DIRECTOR: Felix Hernandez, Orlando
Golf
DATES: Tuesday, December 8 & Wednesday, December 9, 2020
18-Hole Competition, Tuesday, December 8; 36-Hole, Tuesday, December 8 and Wednesday, December 9LOCATION: Duran Golf Club, Viera (Brevard County)
YEARS IN FLORIDA SENIOR GAMES: 29 years, since 1992REGISTERED ATHLETES: 125, as of November 23
ABOUT THE FACILITY: The Duran Golf Club of Viera opened for business in summer 2005. It is a unique course shaped to create a course with links characteristics, including rolling terrain and mounded greens. Some 15 ponds and lakes were created to add beauty and drama to almost every hole on the course. The fairways have a very open feeling, allowing players to swing freely off the tee and the course plays to every skill level.
NOTABLE ATHLETES: Ed Scheid, Bradenton, 2019 FSG Athlete of the Year; Martin Black, Clearwater, 36-hole Record Holder, 2019 National Senior Games silver medalist; Lisa Hartley, Clearwater, 70-74 Age Group Record Holder
SPORT DIRECTOR: Frank Anderson, Gainesville
Horseshoes
DATE: Friday, December 11, 2020LOCATION: Ed Wright Park, Clearwater (Pinellas County)
YEARS IN FLORIDA SENIOR GAMES: 28 years, since 1992. Not contested in 2019REGISTERED ATHLETES: 12, as of November 23.
ABOUT THE FACILITY: Nestled on the banks of Lake Bellevue, Ed Wright Park has been home to the Clearwater Horseshoes Club since 1974 and has hosted state, national and international contests through the years. In 1990, the Florida State Horseshoe Pitchers Association authorized the establishment of a Hall of Fame exhibit to be housed at the Clearwater Club House. In 2003, the horseshoe pitching facility underwent renovations with new concrete walkways, new pitching platforms, new sod, new fencing, and new landscaping.
NOTABLE ATHLETES: Charles “Buddy” Short, Ocala, has been competing off and on in the FSG since 2000 and won five gold medals, the latest in 2017. He has competed in 26 tournaments in 2020, as of November 14, according to his listing on the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association website.
SPORT DIRECTOR: Ron Deckard, Clearwater
Pickleball
DATES: Monday, December 7 – Friday, December 11, 2020
Monday, December 7 – M/W Singles- All Ages; Tuesday, December 8 – Men’s Doubles Ages 50-74; Wednesday, December 9 – Women’s Doubles and Men’s Doubles 75+; Thursday, December 10 – Mixed Doubles- 50-64; Fridauy, December 11 – Mixed Doubles 65+LOCATION: Sarah Vande Berg Tennis and Wellness Center, Zephyrhills (Pasco County)
YEARS IN FLORIDA SENIOR GAMES: 18 years, since 2003.REGISTERED ATHLETES: 322, as of November 23
ABOUT THE FACILITY: The Sarah Vande Berg Tennis and Wellness Center, in Zephyrhills is a $4.9 million state-of-the-art facility that alters the landscape of a city known nationally for its water. The facility opened on October 17, 2020 with plenty of the latest amenities found at sports complexes around the country.
NOTABLE ATHLETES: Mike Welter, Cape Coral, 2017 Male Athlete of the Year; Deb Harrison, The Villages, 2018 Female Athlete of the Year and winner of over 30 gold medals since 2004; Gabriel Wong, Ponte Vedra Beach, 70-74 age group men’s singles gold medalist for the last three years; Erica Gonzalez, Poinciana, has won a combined 10 gold medals in the last three years and has won all three events in the 50-54 age group in the last two years; Jean Kiker, The Villages, has won 12 women’s singles gold medals since 2005.
SPORT DIRECTOR: Sindee Snow, Orlando
Powerlifting
DATE: Sunday, December 13, 2020LOCATION: Renaissance Orlando Airport Hotel, Orlando (Orange)
YEARS IN FLORIDA SENIOR GAMES: 14 years, since 2007
REGISTERED ATHLETES: 46, as of November 22
ABOUT THE FACILITY: The Renaissance Orlando Airport Hotel is conveniently located near the Bee Line Expressway and features over 20,000 square feet for meetings, including two ballrooms and 12 breakout rooms. The rooms and space are ideal for competition and a pre-lift warmup area.
NOTABLE ATHLETES: Stephen and Kimberly Hopkins, Shalimar, besides competing in the 55-59 powerlifting competition, they are both also competing in three other sports. The husband and wife duo are registered to compete in the Archery Compound Fingers event, the 5K and 10K Time Trials Cycling and in Singles and Mixed Doubles Tennis.
SPORT DIRECTOR: Robert Keller, DavieRace Walk / Power Walk
DATES: Friday, December 11 & Saturday, December 12, 2020
5000 Meter Race Walk & Power Walk, Friday, December 11; 1500 Meter Race Walk & Power Walk, Saturday, December 12
LOCATION: Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy, MelbourneYEARS IN FLORIDA SENIOR GAMES: Race Walk: 29 years, since 1992; Power Walk: 10 years, since 2011
REGISTERED ATHLETES: 18, Power Walk; 25, Race Walk
ABOUT THE FACILITY: Track and Field athletes will enjoy the recently renovated track at the Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy. The new field is a small part of the improvements for the Academy’s athletic program. The private school launched a $5.5 million capital campaign in 2019 to raise funds for a comprehensive Athletic Complex to include not only the turf field, but also a high-performance track and a 12,207-square-foot field house.
NOTABLE ATHLETES: Essie Faria (Power Walk), Melbourne, 2011 FSG Female Athlete of the Year and 75-79 and 80-84 age group Race Walk record holder; Gus Ormrod, Sr. (Power Walk), Fort Myers, 90-94 age group 5K record holder, set in 2019; Sandra Hults (Race Walk), Leesburg, the original Bob Fine Excellence in Race Walk Female Award Winner in 2008; Karl Hughes (Race Walk), Seminole, two-time Bob Fine Award Winner (2016 & 2018) and top overall finisher in 1500M and 5K Race Walk each of the last two years.
SPORT DIRECTOR: Tony Tussing, DeLand
Racquetball
DATES: Saturday, December 5 & Sunday, December 6. 2020LOCATION: Richey Racquet, Port Richey (Pinellas County)
YEARS IN FLORIDA SENIOR GAMES: 27 years, since 1994REGISTERED ATHLETES: 59, as of November 23.
ABOUT THE FACILITY: The friendly confines of the Richey Racquet Club hosts athletes who play the ball off of all four walls on Saturday, December 5 and Sunday, December 6.
NOTABLE ATHLETES: Ken Drew, Winter Haven, a FSG Racquetball athlete since 2002 and National Senior Games gold medalist in 2015; Jean Trimble, Orlando, former FSG and Sunshine State Games Racquetball Sport Director now competing in women’s doubles with Renee Fish; Julio Seda, Sebring, who played a 24 hour racquetball non stop Marathon in March, 1982 at Coral Gable Florida Racquetball club,to raise funds for Easter Seals. He hopes to do another fundraising racquetball event in 2021,.
SPORT DIRECTOR: Rod Van Dyke, Ocala
Road Race – 5K
DATE: Sunday, December 13, 2020
LOCATION: Ryckman Park, Melbourne Beach (Brevard County)YEARS IN FLORIDA SENIOR GAMES: 29 years, since 1992
REGISTERED ATHLETES: 75, as of November 23. No on-site registration on the day of race.
ABOUT THE FACILITY: Ryckman Park in Melbourne Beach is a public park located on the historic district of Ocean Avenue on the Indian River. It is home to the historic Ryckman House and the Nationally Registered Historic Melbourne Beach Pier. The FSG race is part of a joint collaboration with the Pineapple Man Triathlon also being held on Sunday, December 13.
NOTABLE ATHLETES: Danuta Kubelik, 2015 FSG Female Athlete of the Year, 10K Road Race record holder in the 60-64 age group and 2019 National Senior Games 10K Road Race gold medalist; Robert Thornhill, Winter Haven, the top overall finisher in the 2019 5K Road Race, who is also registered for Swimming in 2020 in the 200 yard freestyle.
SPORT DIRECTOR: FSF Staff
Shuffleboard
DATE: Saturday, December 5, 2020
LOCATION: Lakeland Shuffleboard Club (Polk County)
YEARS IN FLORIDA SENIOR GAMES: 29 years, since 1992REGISTERED ATHLETES: 34, as of November 23
ABOUT THE FACILITY: The Lakeland Shuffleboard Club features 32 rough surface courts, 16 of which are fully covered and 16 with end covers only. The Club hosted the 2011 and 2012 Florida Senior Games and hosts USA National Shuffleboard Association tournaments.
NOTABLE ATHLETES: Carol Helfer, The Villages, seven-time FSG gold medalist since 2007; Roy Packard, Lakeland, 10-time FSG gold medalist since 2008
SPORT DIRECTOR: Glenn Monroe, Lakeland
Swimming
DATES: Saturday, December 5 & Sunday, December 6LOCATION: Cocoa Beach Aquatic Center (Brevard County)
YEARS IN FLORIDA SENIOR GAMES: 29 years, since 1992REGISTERED ATHLETES: 169, as of November 23
ABOUT THE FACILITY: The Cocoa Beach Aquatic Center is a 50-meter heated pool, with eight 25-yard lanes, is a local landmark on the Indian River Lagoon waterfront. The Aquatic Center will provide scenic views for athletes and offers an open-air pavilion adjacent to the pool and a restaurant, open for breakfast and lunch, at the Cocoa Beach Country Club Golf Course clubhouse.
NOTABLE ATHLETES: Patrice Hirr, 2009 FSG Female Athlete of the Year, won six gold medals in six events at the 2019 National Senior Games; Rudy Vazmina, Sarasota, 2015 Male Athlete of the Year and winner of five medals (4 gold, 1 silver) at the 2019 National Senior Games; Martha Henderson, Cocoa, a local swimmer that won five medals at the 2019 National Senior Games in the 80-84 age group (3 gold, silver, bronze); George Schmidt; Palm Beach Gardens, now swimming in the 70-74 age group, he has set records in the four previous age groups starting with the 50-54 age group in 2001.
SPORT DIRECTOR: Mitzi Kramer, Cocoa Beach
Table Tennis
DATES: Monday, December 7 (50-69 age groups) & Tuesday, December 8 (70+ and up age groups)
LOCATION: Legacy Park Multi-Purpose Center, Alachua (Alachua County)YEARS IN FLORIDA SENIOR GAMES: 29 years, since 1992
REGISTERED ATHLETES: 75, as of November 23.
ABOUT THE FACILITY: The expansive Legacy Park multipurpose facility, in Alachua, offers 40,000 square feet. It is the site of many recreational, cultural arts and community events in North Central Florida. The completely open floor plan structure is the gymnasium area, which opened in 2017, and is comprised of four full-sized basketball/volleyball courts, including a championship court in the center of it all.
NOTABLE ATHLETES: John Shultz, Lakeland, 2009 Male Athlete of the Year, Longest FSG Consecutive Medal Winning Streak of 27 years, dating back to 1993; Patricia Benitez, Orlando, winner of a combined 19 gold medals since 2011.
SPORT DIRECTOR: Brad Woodington, Lakeland
Tennis
DATES: Saturday, December 5 through Thursday, December 10, 2020
December 5-6, M/W Singles; December 7-8, M/W Doubles; December 9-10, Mixed Doubles
LOCATION: Innisbrook Tennis Center, Palm Harbor (Pinellas County)YEARS IN FLORIDA SENIOR GAMES: 29 years, since 1992
REGISTERED ATHLETES: 142, as of November 23
ABOUT THE FACILITY: For the six-day competition, the Innisbrook Tennis Complex, offers 11 HAR-TRU courts along with a staff certified by the U.S. Professional Tennis Association. The Innisbrook Tennis Center features a fully stocked pro shop with equipment and apparel. The HAR-TRU surface courts are preferred by senior athletes because it is easier on the body and reduces the incidence of common tennis injuries to the lower extremities.
NOTABLE ATHLETES: Jay Bortner, formerly of Valrico, now living in Mt. Pleasant, SC, has won a combined men’s singles and doubles gold medals dating back to 2005; Julian Rainwater, Ponte Vedra Beach, three-time FSG gold medalist and 2019 National Senior Games men’s singles silver medalist. Rainwater is a former Wake Forest track and field athlete, who will compete in five track and field events.
SPORT DIRECTOR: Joe Mattingly, Palm Harbor
Track & Field
DATES: Saturday, December 12 (Running Events) & Sunday December 13 (Field Events)
LOCATION: – Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy, Melbourne (Brevard County)
YEARS IN FLORIDA SENIOR GAMES: 29 years, since 1992REGISTERED ATHLETES: 360, as of November 23
ABOUT THE FACILITY: Track and Field athletes will enjoy the recently renovated track at the Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy. The new field is a small part of the improvements for the Academy’s athletic program. The private school launched a $5.5 million capital campaign in 2019 to raise funds for a comprehensive Athletic Complex to include not only the turf field, but also a high-performance track and a 12,207-square-foot field house.
NOTABLE ATHLETES: Madelaine “Tiny” Cazel, 2003 FSG Female Athlete of the Year, has set multiple Florida and National Senior Games records and currently holds 13 FSG records; Brian Hankerson, Hollywood, 2018 FSG Male Athlete of the Year who holds a combined nine Florida Senior Games age group records, including the 50-54, 55-59 and 60-64 records and all-bests in the Long Jump and Triple Jump
SPORT DIRECTOR: Tony Tussing, DeLand
Volleyball
DATE: Sunday, December 6, 2020
LOCATION: Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County, Wesley Chapel
YEARS IN FLORIDA SENIOR GAMES: 27 years, since 1994REGISTERED ATHLETES: 13 teams (9 female, 4 male) as of November 23
ABOUT THE FACILITY: The Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus (WRSCPC) hosts Bag Toss, Basketball Shooting, 3-on-3 Basketball and Volleyball at the 98,000 square foot facility that features 70,000 square feet of total clear span hardwood surface. The indoor facility has room for 16 volleyball and eight basketball courts.
NOTABLE ATHLETES: Sandra Garner, Daytona Beach, besides being a member of the 55+ Beaches Volleyball team, she also is registered for two track and field events (high jump and pole vault), Lisa Hundley, Leesburg, has been one of the Beaches Volleyball 55+ team for quite a few years and a former collegiate player at the University of Tennessee.
SPORT DIRECTOR: Sindee Snow, Orlando
Florida Sports Foundation
Nick Gandy, media@playinflorida.com
The Florida Sports Foundation
The Florida Sports Foundation, a 501(C) 3 non-profit corporation, is the official sports promotion and development organization for the State of Florida. It is charged with the promotion and development of professional, amateur, recreational sports, and physical fitness opportunities that produce a thriving Florida sports industry and environment. With a seemingly endless list of sporting ventures and venues, the Florida Sports Foundation strives to promote Florida’s unique sports industry. The Foundation’s staff is dedicated to serving the needs and interests of Florida’s sports community and assists with all questions concerning Florida sporting activities and issues.
About the Gainesville Sports Commission
Founded in 1988, the Gainesville Sports Commission (GSC) is a not-for-profit organization that strives to promote tourism through sports while creating a positive economic impact on Gainesville and Alachua County. The Gainesville Sports Commission is a liaison that brings sporting events to our local community and assists with hosting, creating and supporting over 45 events annually. Since its inception, Gainesville Sports Commission has directly contributed more than 300 million dollars of economic growth. By bringing participants and spectators to sporting events, Gainesville Sports Commission creates approximately 20 million dollars annually of direct economic impact for our community.