The Sports Foundation of the Capital Region is a not-for-profit organization (501(C)(3)Corp.) whose mission is to promote New York’s Capital Region through sports. Its goals are to improve the quality of life and enhance economic development throughout the region by maintaining and acquiring diversity of amateur sporting events, and by creating other special events.
The objectives of the organization include: providing area residents with entertainment through the provision and promotion of quality sports and sports-related events, providing instruction and education in sports for youth, helping boys and girls understand the benefits of participation in athletic programs, helping boys and girls understand the positive life style values inherent in sports, and promoting the welfare of young people, including those at-risk, through sports, thus aiding in the prevention of delinquency.
The Sports Foundation of the Capital Region helps identify events, activities, sites and sponsoring organizations, and provides technical and volunteer services. Financial investment for the programs and activities of the Sports Foundation of the Capital Region is secured from local businesses and individuals and revenue from events and activities.
The Scholar Athlete Awards Dinner, which recognizes the outstanding athletic and academic achievements of high school students in our region, is entering its 15th year. This event is the Foundation’s annual centerpiece event that focuses on the goals and objectives of the organization. Scholar athletes come from throughout the High School Section 2 region of New York State and represent a wide variety of sports.
The Sports Foundation of the Capital Region has worked with regional and national athletic organizations such as the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) and the Metro Atlantic Conference (MAAC). The Sports Foundation of the Capital Region achieves part of its mission by creating Fan Fests associated with such events as the NCAA Men’s Hockey, basketball and wrestling Championships, ECAC Hockey Championships and the MAAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament. The Fan Fests increase tourism in the Capital Region, provide athletic skills training to young people and provide entertainment and/or enrichment to audiences in all age groups.
Local Organizing Committee For Amateur Sporting Events
Executive Committee
Jack O’Toole, Merrill Lynch, President
Jay Girvin, Girvin & Ferlazzo, Vice President
Ed Selig, LCS &Z, LLP, Treasurer
Bob Belber, Times Union Center
Gary Smith, Hospitality Management Group
Michele Vennard, Albany County Convention & Visitors Bureau
Joe Vitale, Rose & Kiernan
Board Members
Brian Akley, MLB General Contractors and Construction Managers
Carm Basile, CDTA
Michael Breslin, Albany County Executive
Robert Curley, Citizens Bank
John D’Argenio, Siena College
Tom Daubney, Crowne Plaza, Albany Hotel
Gerald Jennings, Mayor of Albany
Dana Johnson, Coca-Cola
Jack LaBombard
Bruce McEwing, Downtown Albany BID
John Nigro, The Nigro Cos.
Mike Perrin, Albany County
Ken Raymond, CBC Prime
Jack Roddy, Desmond Hotel & Conference Center
David Smith, McGinn Smith & Co.
Mike Snyder, CMP, NYS OGS- Empire State Plaza
Garen Szablewski
Albany Conquest, Albany River Rats
