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 200 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.

OUR TEAM

Blake Farrell, the 2019 Gainesville Sports Commission President, leads the twenty-five-member Gainesville Sports Commission 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 Gainesville Sports Commission has a staff of three employees. Joleen Cacciatore serves as the Executive Director. Cacciatore oversees the organization's daily operations with assistance from Event Manager, Kevin Houseknecht and Event Coordinator, Emily Grissom. The keys to the success of the Gainesville Sports Commission are interns and practical experience students from the University of Florida.