COLUMBUS, OH (August 24, 2022) – The Greater Columbus Sports Commission today named Dawn Stewart its Strategic Partnership Director.
Stewart comes to the Greater Columbus Sports Commission with 20 years of experience in intercollegiate athletics as a sports administrator at various NCAA levels. Most recently she was Otterbein’s Vice President of Student Affairs, serving in a dual role of Vice President of Student Affairs and Director of Athletics.
During Stewart’s time at Otterbein, the Cardinals experienced great competitive success with top 60 finishes (out of 400+ schools) in the Learfied IMG Director’s Cup. Otterbein earned a combined 50 OAC titles and made 25 NCAA appearances while the women’s programs won two consecutive OAC all sports trophies. Stewart also restarted the Otterbein Wrestling program in 2016. In addition, her most notable fundraising activities were $2 million Turf and Track project in Memorial Stadium and the implementation of the Otterbein Athletics Corporate Partnership Program. Stewart established naming rights and improvements to nearly all on-campus athletic facilities, added five new endowments and secured a $350,000 equipment gift in-kind from former NBA head coach George Karl.
Prior to Otterbein, Stewart spent four years as Director of Athletics for Capital University where she managed 18 sports along with 50 full- and part-time coaches and administrative personnel.
In 2016, Stewart was named one of four Under Armour AD of the Year winners within Division III by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA). She was one of 28 ADs across the nation to be selected and one of just six females on the list.
“Dawn’s experience and expertise make her a great addition to the Greater Columbus Sports Commission team. Her background will help her hit the ground running here from day one,” said Linda Logan, CEO of the Greater Columbus Sports Commission. “We have worked hand-in-hand with Dawn in her previous roles and she is a great leader with strong relationships. I’m so excited to welcome her to our team.”
In her role as Director of Strategic Partnerships, she will be responsible for overall strategy and successful revenue production by creating and implementing key community and business partnerships. She will start her work with the Greater Columbus Sports Commission on September 20.
“Columbus has been home to my family for many years. I’m committed to this city and to the great work of the Greater Columbus Sports Commission to host athletic events that drive economic impact and social development for the community,” said Stewart. “I am forever grateful for the relationships that grew from my time at Otterbein and I know they will continue. I am excited to join Linda and her incredible team and look forward to serving my colleagues, and the community through this position.”
Stewart received her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Otterbein in 1998. She holds a master’s degree in sport management from The Ohio State University .A native of New Philadelphia, Ohio, Stewart and her husband, Steve, a 1998 graduate of Otterbein, live together in Galena with their son.
About The Greater Columbus Sports Commission:
The Greater Columbus Sports Commission is a nonprofit organization with a mission to rally Columbus to compete and win sporting events, providing a singular athlete and fan experience and positively impacting image, economy and lifestyle. Since 2002, the Greater Columbus Sports Commission has booked nearly 600 new sporting events for the Columbus Region, generating an estimated $625 million in direct visitor spending. Visit columbussports.org to learn more.
CONTACTS:
Jesse Ghiorzi | Greater Columbus Sports Commission | 513-461-1514 | jghiorzi@columbussports.org
Matthew McGreevy | Greater Columbus Sports Commission | 614-221-6167 | mmcgreevy@columbussports.org
Sarah Irvin | Irvin Public Relations | Direct: 614-296-4057 | sarah@irvinpr.com