NEW ORLEANS (press launch) – On Sept. 14, the Better New Orleans Sports activities Basis hosted its annual Honors Luncheon on the turf of the Caesars Superdome. On the occasion, audio system mirrored on the group’s 35-year historical past of bidding on and managing profitable occasions. It was additionally an opportunity to honor three of the Sports activities Basis’s founding members: Doug Thornton, Mike Millay, and Ron Maestri. The trio was inducted into the Sports activities Basis Corridor of Fame.
Former LSU Gymnastics Head Coach D-D Breaux and present LSU Gymnastics Head Coach Jay Clark joined Sports activities Basis President and CEO Jay Cicero to disclose that the SEC Gymnastics Championship will return to New Orleans in 2024, after a document setting attendance on the 2019 Championships held on the Smoothie King Middle.
“New Orleans is residence to a vibrant sports activities and main occasions neighborhood,” stated Cicero. “Whether or not you’re a fan, an athlete, or engaged on the sidelines, it’s the New Orleans strategy to come collectively and have fun. That’s what this yr’s Honors Luncheon is all about – reflecting, honoring, and celebrating the yr’s achievements in sports activities and recognizing the people main the way in which within the sports activities business.”
The Honors Luncheon additionally featured 2025 Tremendous Bowl LIX Host Committee Chair and Entergy Govt Vice President and Basic Counsel, Marcus Brown, celebrating the return of Tremendous Bowl to New Orleans, whereas recognizing the main function of the Saints, Sports activities Basis, Founding Associate Entergy, and different present Host Committee companions for his or her help.
“New Orleans is a spot filled with tradition, leisure, and a deep-rooted love for sports activities and occasions,” stated Brown. “We as a metropolis have a lot to supply, and we would like our ardour and hospitality to shine by way of, as we welcome one of many largest sporting occasions on the planet.”
The Honors Luncheon additionally acknowledged and celebrated a number of ladies main the way in which within the Better New Orleans sports activities business by way of an interesting and informative panel dialogue. Sports activities Basis Govt Committee member Kim Boyle led the panel dialogue with influential ladies within the area, together with Swin Money of the Pelicans; Jen Hale of FS1, Fox and the Pelicans; D-D Breaux of LSU; and Dr. Kiki Baker Barnes of the Gulf Coast Athletic Convention
The three Corridor of Fame inductees are all founding members of the Better New Orleans Sports activities Basis. Doug Thornton served as President and CEO of the Sports activities Basis from 1994 to 1997 and is at present Govt Vice President at ASM International, overseeing stadiums and amenities right here in New Orleans and internationally. Mike Millay was the first-ever Govt Director of the Sports activities Basis from 1988-1994. Millay began Disney’s Huge World of Sports activities complicated and is at present the Managing Associate of Clancy’s Sports activities Properties. Ron Maestri earned his legacy because the legendary Coach of the College of New Orleans baseball staff, main the Privateers to the School World Collection in 1974 and 1984, finally being named Athletic Director. Because the UNO Athletic Director, Maestri led the way in which for New Orleans to host the 1987 and 1993 NCAA Males’s Closing Fours. After retiring from UNO, he served as Govt Director of NCAA Occasions for the Sports activities Basis from 2000 to 2004, together with the 2003 Males’s and 2004 Girls’s Closing Fours.
“There’s a lot that individuals don’t notice go into bringing large-scale, bid upon sporting occasions to New Orleans,” stated Cicero. “What made all of it that potential is the unwavering dedication and help of Sports activities Basis founders like Mike Millay, Ron Maestri, and Doug Thornton. These males are champions for the Metropolis of New Orleans and are answerable for thousands and thousands in financial affect for town. We’re grateful for his or her time and repair to the Sports activities Basis’s mission”
The Sports activities Basis has hosted a whole bunch of sporting occasions benefiting town and state, producing billions in financial affect, and garnering invaluable media publicity. The success of the group has elevated New Orleans because the premier vacation spot for main sporting occasions, as witnessed by the lineup of occasions to be managed by the Sports activities Basis and their many citywide companions.
The Sports activities Basis performs host to a few of the largest sporting occasions on the planet, together with the final three Tremendous Bowls (the 4th in 2025), two WrestleManias, 4 NCAA Males’s Closing Fours, three NCAA Girls’s Closing Fours, three NBA All‐Star Video games, 4 Bassmaster Classics, the USA Olympic Observe and Subject Trials, the USA Olympic Weightlifting Trials, 22 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowls, three AAU Junior Olympic Video games, quite a few NCAA Males’s and Girls’s Basketball 1st/2nd Rounds and Regionals, and plenty of extra in its 35-year historical past.