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Gainesville, FL January 13, 2009 - The Gainesville Sports Commission (GSC) celebrated its 20th Anniversary year of service yesterday. The GSC Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner, was held at the Best Western Gateway Grand. The GSC used the occasion to install the 2009 Officers and Trustees. They also honored Erva Gilliam of the Gator Swim Club and Jim and Patti Atchinson of the Gainesville Soccer Alliance. The highlight of the evening was when Jimmy Carnes, retired UF Track coach and National Track and Field Hall of Famer, was honored by the GSC with the naming of their annual indoor track and field meet after him.

After installing its 2009 Officers and Directors, Ron Gromoll was introduced as the new 2009 GSC President; he is the General Manager of the Best Western Gateway Grand. Leaving the GSC President position is Richard Blalock, Director of the Newberry Recreation and Parks.

The GSC’s community awards started with the Bronze Gator. The Bronze Gator Award is given to an individual and/or organization that makes a contribution to the GSC’s sports tourism efforts. This year the Bronze Gator Award was given to Erva Gilliam of the Gator Swim Club and Jim and Patti Atchinson of the Gainesville Soccer Alliance. These parties received this award because of the partnership they share with the GSC and contributions they make to their sports. Because of Jim and Patti Atchinson’s efforts, a much-needed soccer sports complex was built that generates more than 8,000 visitor room nights annually, and is a vital part of the Alachua County’s sports scene. The Gator Swim Club with Erva Gilliam hosts numerous swimming events into Gainesville which generate approximately 6,000 room nights each year.

The 2008 GSC Board of Trustees President Richard Blalock issued two President’s Above and Beyond Awards last night. The prestigious honors were awarded to Ron Gromoll, the General Manager of the Best Western Gateway Grand and Larry Holsey, of the Gainesville Striders Track Club. The GSC President gives this award out to volunteers, members and other individuals that go above and beyond what is expected of them in meeting the GSC’s mission to be the leading voice of sports industry in Alachua County.

The evening ended with the GSC honoring Jimmy Carnes with the naming of their Annual Indoor Track and Field Meet. The event will now be officially called the Jimmy Carnes Indoor Track and Field Meet hosted by the Gainesville Sports Commission.

Carnes, one of five 2008 inductees into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame, was instrumental in the formation of the GSC in 1988 as the Gainesville Sports Organizing Committee. He served as the first president of The Athletic Conference (1980-1984) and coached at the University of Florida from 1965-1978—leading the indoor and outdoor teams to 15 SEC top-three track and field finishes. He also served as National Chairman of AAU Men’s Track and Field in 1977; was the 1976 assistant men’s Olympic coach and was named as the head coach to the cancelled Moscow Olympics of 1980.

Carnes, 68, has been instrumental in the formation of sports commissions in Florida and across the country. He served as the director of the Florida Governor’s Council on Sport and Physical Fitness where he established the Florida Sunshine State Games and the Florida Senior Games. He also formed the Florida Track Club, served as the executive director of the US Track Coaches Association and is a member of the US Track and Field and Cross Country Hall of Fame and the Florida Sports Hall of Fame.

The 2009 Jimmy Carnes Indoor Track and Field Meet, presented by the GSC, will be held at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center on February 7. It features competition for youth, open, and collegiate athletes. Additional information can be found at http://www.gsoc.com/events/trackandfield/jimmyCarnesMeet.aspx. More than 800 competitors are expected at this year’s meet as the inaugural event in 2008 featured more than 600 athletes and 700 other visitors from twelve states and throughout Florida. Participants’ ages ranged from five through 87.

For more information about the GSC Awards Dinner, the Jimmy Carnes Indoor Track Meet or the Gainesville Sports Commission’s new Officers and Directors, please contact Joleen Cacciatore and the Gainesville Sports Commission at 352-338-9300 or email: jcacciatore@gainesvillesportscommission.com.