Founded in 1988, as the Gainesville Sports Organizing Committee, Inc., 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 GSC now helps to create an annual economic impact of about $12 million for our local economy. Since its inception, more than $160 million has been generated in direct economic activity from participants and spectators to GSC hosted and assisted events.

Annually we host or help others host more than 30 events. Hosted events include the State High School Championships- Football, Track & Field, Tennis, Swimming/Diving, Weightlifting, the U.S. Synchronized Swimming Collegiate National Championships, the Sunshine State Games, the AAU Track & Field Championship, and the North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA) Girls' Youth Continental Championship. The GSC assists area sports teams in hosting major events, ranging from swimming and softball to tennis and rowing.

Mark McGriff, the 2007 GSC President, leads the twenty-five member GSC Board of Trustees. The Board comes from a broad cross section of Alachua County citizens. Trustees are area business people and others with an interest in sports and economic development.

Along with the Board of Trustees, the GSC has a staff of three employees. Jack Hughes serves as the Executive Director. Hughes serves on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Sports Commissions (NASC) and is currently chair-elect for 2008. The NASC is the 400-plus member national organization that promotes sports commission and CVB activities. He has been involved with sports and non-profit organization management since 1983. He has served in senior management positions with the 1996 Paralympic Games, and as a venue manager at Stone Mountain, GA for the Centennial Olympic Games.

Hughes oversees the organization's daily operations with assistance from Event Manager, Alex Alston and Communications Manager, Joleen Cacciatore. The keys to the success of the Gainesville Sports Commission are interns and practical experience students from the University of Florida.

The Gainesville Sports Commission is a private company that operates under a contract with Alachua County. It is dependent upon memberships and event income to meet its expenses. The GSC entered into a contract with Alachua County to operate an annual $110,000 "bid pool" to bid for hosting events and pay for costs associated with hosting events. Prior to this arrangement, the Gainesville Sports Commission was limited in its efforts by budget restraints that limited travel and payment for rights fees that are required by many event rights holders.

Hughes believes that the bid pool is not the only advantage that Gainesville and Alachua County offer events looking for a place to compete.

"We have great facilities within Alachua County, including the University of Florida, Santa Fe Community College, Alachua County Parks, facilities managed by Gainesville Recreation and Parks Department, Newberry Recreation and Parks and Alachua Recreation and Parks that help us attract events. More importantly, we can also offer participants a wholesome small-city atmosphere in a family friendly environment."

"The amenities we offer, the opportunity to visit our area parks, springs and attractions, and our ability to host varied and successful events provides the ultimate experience for both participants and spectators to events hosted here."