For more information, contact:
The St. Louis Sports Commission
314-992-0683
mschreiber@stlouissports.org

                ST. LOUIS – Feb. 7, 2008 – The St. Louis Sports Commission’s board of directors elected Shaun Hayes, president of Missouri banking for National City Bank, as the organization’s new chair.  Hayes will lead the Sports Commission’s volunteer board for an initial two-year term through 2009.  He previously served as the Sports Commission’s vice chair and treasurer, and has been a longtime member and supporter of the organization. 

“The Sports Commission is privileged to have Shaun as its new chair,” said Sports Commission President Frank Viverito.  “He has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to the St. Louis region, especially to the many civic organizations that are working to help make the area prosper.  It means so much to us to benefit from his time, guidance and generosity, and we look forward to the role he will play in continuing the Sports Commission’s growth and momentum.”

Hayes said:  “I’m very appreciative of the opportunity to be involved with the Sports Commission at such a significant level.  Being able to make a difference in St. Louis is very important to me, and the Sports Commission offers an outlet to help make the community a better place.  I admire how much the organization has done to contribute to the area’s quality of life and generate economic development for the region.”

In addition to Hayes' appointment, the Sports Commission's board approved the nominations of seven new directors for three-year terms: Craig Albrecht (Bodley Group president & CEO); Denny Coleman (St. Louis County Economic Council president & CEO); Rodney Crim (St. Louis Development Corporation executive director); Mary Deverman (Centene Corporation community relations manager); Todd Epsten (Major Brands, Inc., CEO); Rich Gray (Centric Group consultant); and Greg Strauss (Fleischmann's Yeast vice president of business development & sales).

Hayes succeeds Scott Schnuck, who served as the Sports Commission’s chair since 2005.  Under Schnuck’s leadership, the Sports Commission produced the 2007 Mizzou vs. Illinois State Farm Arch Rivalry, 2007 NCAA Frozen Four, 2006 U.S. Figure Skating Championships – presented locally by Schnucks, 2005 NCAA Wrestling Championships, and was part of the St. Louis Organizing Committee for the 2005 NCAA Final Four.  Schnuck’s tenure as chair culminated with the Sports Commission being recognized by the St. Louis RCGA as one of the region’s top 50 companies in 2007.  Schnuck will continue to serve on the Sports Commission’s board and executive committee.

Hayes becomes the Sports Commission’s ninth chair since its inception in 1989.  Previous chairs were: Tee Baur, Harry Morley, Nick Penniman, Joe Farrell, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Walter Lamkin, Doug Albrecht, and Schnuck.

The Sports Commission is the independent, privately funded nonprofit organization that makes St. Louis a better place to live, visit, work and play through sports.  In 2008, the organization hosts the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships (March 20-22 at Scottrade Center); NAIA Men’s & Women’s Outdoor Track & Field National Championships (May 22-24 at Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville); AT&T National Sportsmanship Awards (June 5 at the Chase Park Plaza); and the Missouri vs. Illinois State Farm Arch Rivalry (Aug. 30 at the Edward Jones Dome).  To see a list of the organization’s entire board of directors, click here .

The St. Louis Sports Commission is the privately funded nonprofit organization that benefits St. Louis through sports.
Its mission is to make the St. Louis region a better place to live, visit, work and play through sports.