Event organizers recognized at Erie Sport Commission Dinner
Erie, Pa: The Erie Sports Commission held its annual Sports Tourism Awards Dinner at the Ambassador tonight. More than 100 guests attended the event to honor and recognize the efforts of those who had an impact on sports tourism in Erie County in 2023.
Mayor Joe Schember presented the Locally Managed Event of the Year Award to the Erie Cancer Wellness Center Duathlon. The duathlon supported individuals and families who faced the impacts of cancer. The first-year event attracted over 100 participants who ran two 5k’s and biked 20k.
One of the longest-running girls hockey tournaments in the U.S., the Sarah Backstrom Memorial Tournament, was awarded the Impact Award presented by President and CEO of VisitErie, John Oliver. Held in February 2023, the tournament generated over $2 million in estimated economic impact and brought more than 2,000 attendees from across the country.
Pennsylvania State Representative Pat Harkins presented Event Series of the Year Award to Syracuse Select Basketball. Nine youth basketball tournaments were played throughout 2023, resulting in over 1,000 participants and spectators traveling to Erie County to compete.
Gus Pine, executive director of Erie Events, presented the National Event of the Year Award to Imagine National Dance Challenge hosted by Star Dance Alliance. Dance studios traveled to Erie in May 2023 to qualify for the Star Dance Alliance National Championship.
The USFA Intercollegiate Figure Skating Competition was announced as the New Event of the Year, presented by Erie County Executive Brenton Davis. More than 15 universities participated in six different events at the competition held for the first time at Mercyhurst University.
Brandon Borgia, president of Lake Erie Disc Golf, was named Volunteer of the Year by Erie Sports Commission Director of Event Services Ben Huggler. Borgia was a driving force in the development of local disc golf courses, including the new course at Pleasant Ridge Park in Farview.
Champion Cheer Central, owned by Heather Petz and Kim Soder, won the Ron Sertz Dedication to Erie Award, presented by Owner of Erie Gymnastics Center Doug Pershun. Champion Cheer Central has been hosting events with help from the Erie Sport Commission since 2013. In 2023, they hosted four cheer competitions with over 4,800 participants competing.
The Erie Sports Commission enjoyed an award-winning year in 2023 generating $18 million in estimated economic impact, hosting and supporting 83 events, covering 177 days.
