Karl Schmitt Named Sports Commission Executive Director

Louisville Native Selected Following Extensive National Search; Will Start January 1

LOUISVILLE, KY. ( Dec. 07, 2009) – Karl F. Schmitt Jr. has been named executive director of the Louisville Sports Commission. A Louisville native and longtime sports executive, Schmitt has served as the organization's interim director since July and will take over duties full time beginning Jan. 1, 2010. The announcement was made today by Board Chairman Steve Higdon.

“We believe Karl has the right mix of skills, knowledge, passion for sports and dedication to our local community to help the Sports Commission build on the success we have enjoyed over the past ten years.”

The process to select and name the Louisville Sports Commission's third executive director lasted nearly four months.

“We conducted an extensive and exhaustive national search to find the best person to fit the needs of the Sports Commission at this point in our history,” said John Hamilton, chairman of the search committee and member of the Sports Commission Executive Committee. “The number of qualified candidates was nearly overwhelming, and the fact that we used an outside firm to help guide us through the process was very beneficial. After rigorous and spirited discussions with numerous high-level candidates, the Search Committee's recommendation was supported unanimously by the Sports Commission Board of Directors.”

From 1987 through 2006, Schmitt was a member of the Churchill Downs Incorporated (“CDI”) management team, rising to the level of senior vice president. Prior to returning to Louisville in 1987, he was an executive in one of the nation's most high-profile college athletic departments, the University of Miami.

During his tenure at CDI, Schmitt led a team that managed public relations for the corporation and company-owned racetracks in Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles, New Orleans and Anderson, Indiana. Schmitt was also responsible for the negotiation of numerous Kentucky Derby television, radio and digital media contracts; oversight of media relations and media operations for the Derby; and institutionalization of the company's financial communications plan. He became president of two of Churchill's wholly owned companies, then joined CDI's development team and provided support for strategic planning and acquisitions. He later served as brand manager for the Kentucky Derby.

From 1980 to 1987, Schmitt assisted and later oversaw communications as sports information director for the University of Miami Hurricanes, which included trips to four New Year's Day bowl games and publicity and media relations for 17 men's and women's varsity sports. He gained additional event experience working with the Pan Am Games, the NCAA Final Four Basketball Championships, the Bowl Championship Series, the Master's Golf Tournament, the PGA Championship, the Ryder Cup, horse racing's Triple Crown and the Breeders' Cup Championship. He also helped design and execute the media operations plan for the 2000 Vice Presidential Debate at Centre College.

About The Louisville Sports Commission

The Louisville Sports Commission is dedicated to attracting, producing and supporting sporting events that have a positive economic impact, enhance the image of the greater Louisville area as a premier destination for sporting events, and improves the quality of life for area residents and sports enthusiasts. The Louisville Sports Commission is a 501-C-3 Non-profit organization.

In recent years, the Louisville Sports Commission has attracted the Ford Ironman Louisville, the National Senior Games, the U.S. Transplant Games, AVP Volleyball and the National Masters Cycling Championships.

Louisville Sports Commission
Brooke Ballard

email
 (502) 587-7767

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