CINCINNATI (March 10, 2025) – Three leaders in the sports and events tourism industry will be enshrined into the Sports ETA Hall of Fame, powered by Albuquerque Sports Commission, at the organization’s annual Symposium in April. The new Hall of Fame members announced today are: Linda Logan, CEO and President of the Greater Columbus Sports Commission; Jon Lugbill, Executive Director, Sports Backers; and Frank Viverito, retired President & CEO of the St. Louis Sports Commission.

The Sports ETA Hall of Fame is a lifetime achievement award recognizing long-standing and significant accomplishments in, and major contributions to, the industry trade association, Sports ETA, and the overall sports tourism industry. The Sports ETA Hall of Fame was launched in 2017, and there have been six induction classes with 21 honorees.

“Sports ETA is honored to welcome three new members into the association’s prestigious Hall of Fame,” said John David, President & CEO of Sports ETA. “Linda Logan, Jon Lugbill, and Frank Viverito have all made major impacts in our industries and their respective communities that are celebrated and recognized by their induction into the Sports ETA Hall of Fame.”

Linda Logan, CEO and President, Greater Columbus Sports Commission

Linda Logan is the CEO and President of the Greater Columbus Sports Commission (GCSC), a role she has held since founding the organization in 2002. Under her leadership, the GCSC has been instrumental in establishing Columbus as a premier sports destination, hosting more than 1,250 sporting events – including 650 new events – generating approximately $1.7 billion. ​

A native of Fairport Harbor, Ohio, Linda's passion for sports led her to earn a degree in sports administration from Ohio University. Her career includes significant roles with the Big Eight Conference and the Kemper Arena in Kansas City. Upon returning to Ohio, she contributed to the development of the Greater Columbus Convention Center before focusing on sports marketing. In 2023, she was named one of Central Ohio's most admired executives by Columbus Business First. The Columbus Foundation honored her with The Spirit of Columbus® Award in 2024 for her dedication to community partnerships and promoting the region's image. Additionally, she was featured in Columbus Business First's Power 100 list in 2023, highlighting her influence on the city's future.

“Sports has been the backdrop of my life since I was young girl growing up in the Cleveland area, following the baseball team any way I could,” said Logan. “To make a career out of sports and tie it to a community that I love has been such a privilege. Columbus is a special city and I’m thankful to our partners across the community that help us win, promote and host so many amazing events the last 23 years. I’m grateful for our staff whose passion and dedication to our organization has made this recognition possible for me. Thank you to Sports ETA and the Hall of Fame committee for this incredible honor.

Jon Lugbill, Executive Director, Sports Backers

For the past 32 years, Jon has served as the Executive Director of the Sports Backers, a nonprofit group that inspires active living in all corners of the Richmond region. The organization hosts events including the Allianz Partners Richmond Marathon, Dominion Energy Riverrock, Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k, CarMax Tacky Light Run and more than a dozen other events each year.

The organization has some of the nation’s largest training teams, a kids fitness program with tens of thousands of participants, 60 free fitness classes every week in challenged communities and an active infrastructure advocacy effort that leads the 43-mile long Fall Line trail among other bike and pedestrian infrastructure projects. In 2006, 2009, 2011 and 2016 the Sports Backers were voted America’s Best Sports Commission by Sports ETA. As an athlete, Jon won five individual and seven team world championship titles in whitewater canoe slalom and was 4th in the 1992 Olympic Games. He has been elected to the International Whitewater Hall of Fame and the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.

“I'm very grateful for the honor of being inducted into the Sports ETA Hall of Fame,” said Jon Lugbill. “While I'm being honored personally, it is really a reflection on the dedicated volunteers, board members, donors, sponsors, partner organizations and local governments, that collectively have created an active living movement in the Richmond region.

Frank Viverito, retired President & CEO, St. Louis Sports Commission

Frank Viverito was President & CEO of the St. Louis Sports Commission from 1995-2022 and is currently the organization’s Chief Advisory Officer. During his tenure, the Commission attracted events that brought over $1 billion to the St. Louis region, including both the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Final Fours, 10 NCAA Wrestling Championships, the NCAA Frozen Four, the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament, the PGA Championship, the US Figure Skating Championships, the Olympic Gymnastics, Diving, and Marathon Trials, and many other high-profile football, basketball, and Olympic sports events.

He was also at the forefront of creating the annual Musial Awards, a nationally acclaimed event that celebrates extraordinary sportsmanship. In 2024, the televised show on CBS drew 2.25 million viewers. Under Viverito’s direction, the St.Louis Sports Commission was named national sports commission of the year three times and received numerous civic and industry awards. Viverito has been inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame, and has been honored with awards given by many organizations including the National Football Foundation, Rotary, Downtown St. Louis Inc., the Missouri Athletic Club, the Baseball Writers Association of America, and several local charitable groups.

“Sports ETA was born as the National Association of Sports Commissions in St. Louis in 1992, so the organization has always meant a great deal to me,” said Viverito. “Now, to be chosen for its Hall of Fame, along with my dear friends Jon and Linda, simply means the world.”

Sports ETA extends our sincerest appreciation to Hill Carrow, John Bisignano, Janis Burke, Tara Green, and Matt Libber, who serve as the Association’s Hall of Fame Committee, for their diligent efforts in meticulously reviewing submissions, selecting deserving inductees, and collaborating with the Sports ETA staff to orchestrate a memorable ceremony for the Hall of Fame. Your dedication and commitment have enriched the legacy of Sports ETA, leaving an indelible mark on all who have been honored.

Special shout-out to Hall of Fame sponsor, Albuquerque Sports Commission.

About Sports ETA:

As the only trade association for the sports events and tourism industry, Sports ETA is the most trusted resource for sports commissions, destination marketing organizations (DMOs), and sports event owners. Sports ETA is committed to the success of more than 750 member organizations and 2,400 sports event professionals. We promise to deliver quality education, ample networking opportunities, and exceptional event management and marketing know-how to our members to protect the integrity of the sports events and tourism industry.  For more information, visit SportsETA.org.