MUNCIE, Ind. — The Muncie Sports Commission, a Muncie based nonprofit organization, recently revealed its new purpose statement and brand and announced its 2021 Board of Directors and Officers.
The organization’s purpose statement, per a press release, is “to attract, create, host, and support sporting events and recreational opportunities for Delaware County,” while its passion statement is “to increase economic vitality, improve quality of life, promote healthy lifestyles and brand Delaware County as a great sports community.”
The Muncie Sports Commission’s Board of Directors and officers for 2021 are:
- Ted Baker, Innovation Connector
- Richard Crist, Whitinger Strategic Services (board president)
- Kaye Harrell, Project Leadership
- Cliff Johnson, American Marketing & Publishing LLC
- Jay Julian, Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce
- Daniel Maggart, Culy Contracting (board treasurer)
- Jim Mansfield, Muncie Visitors Bureau
- Megan O’Connor, YMCA of Muncie
- Jared Owen, Comfort Inn & Suites
- Justin Phillips, Ruoff Mortgage (board secretary)
- Matt Sauter, Crestview Golf Club
- Amber Stocks, coach/consultant
- William G. (Bill) Summers, retired
- Dennis Trammell, Next Pro (board vice president)
“Our Board of Directors is comprised of a dedicated team of individuals all committed to Muncie Sports Commission’s purpose of attracting, creating, hosting and supporting sporting events and recreational opportunities for Delaware County,” MSC Board President Richard Crist said in the release. “We are excited to begin this new and exciting stage of development with such a strong and diverse team.”
Prior to Muncie Sports Commission’s announcement, the organization did not have a definitive brand or set of materials. The rebranding effort, which includes a new logo that combines the elements of a torch — symbolized in the both the Olympics and Indiana’s state flag — and lightning bolt, came with the assistance of Whitinger Strategic Services.
Jon Anderson, who accepted the position as the MSC executive director last May, spoke to The Star Press last summer about how the commission was trying to reimagine what it could be “as not just the owners of the Sportsplex, but more of a backbone or umbrella organization for sports and recreation in Muncie and Delaware County.”
Last summer, the Muncie Sports Commission paired with the Muncie Athletic Club and Muncie City Parks Department to provide free basketball camps for boys and girls. The commission also become a part of Team Indiana, a nonprofit state association run by the Indiana Sports Corporation.
On its revamped website, Munciesports.com, Anderson recently announced a strategic partnership with Ball State Athletics and the Muncie Sports Commission called “#MaskMadness.” As a part of the program, the NCAA is donating 100,000 masks to Hoosiers in need. In Muncie, March Madness masks can be picked up at the Innovation Connector, Muncie Visitors Bureau and Ross Community Center, though, as of Friday afternoon, they were out of stock at each location, according to the NCAA’s website.
“We are excited to take these first steps in the evolution of the Muncie Sports Commission, but even more excited about what lies ahead,” Anderson said in the release. “In the spirit of teamwork, the Muncie Sports Commission is looking forward to working with key stakeholders, providers, and programs throughout our community in a collaborative and partnered approach to improving access, quality and resources. The impact of sports goes far beyond the playing fields and the Muncie Sports Commission is taking a very intentional approach to developing those components that further our area economically as a full functioning sports community.”
Robby General covers East Central Indiana high school sports for The Star Press. Contact him via email at rgeneral@gannett.com, on Twitter @rgeneraljr or phone at 765-283-8864.
