City of Columbia, Missouri  
Meeting Minutes  
Columbia Sports Commission  
300 S. Providence  
Road - Thomas G.  
Walton Bldg.  
Thursday, April 11, 2024  
12:00 PM  
I. CALL TO ORDER  
James Arnold, Chair, called the meeting at 12:00 p.m.  
II. ROLL CALL & INTRODUCTIONS  
7 -  
Present:  
Julie Calfee, James Arnold, David Egan, Tony Daniel, Heather Cairns, Kristopher  
Kunz and Beau Baehman  
4 - Carter Marcks, Susan Hart, Jared Klarfeld and Ethan Cobb  
Excused:  
3 - Amy Schneider, Gabe Huffington and Richard Walls  
Non-Voting:  
Also present City staff Julie Ausmus and Danielle Vardeleon.  
III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA  
The agenda was approved as written.  
Motion by Calfee. Second by Kunz. Motion carried.  
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES  
The Minutes of February 8th were approved as written.  
Motion by Baehman. Second by Kunz. Motion carried.  
February 8th Meeting Minutes  
V. OLD BUSINESS  
Update on Missouri State High School Activities Association Basketball Championships  
Julie Ausmus provided a brief update on MSHSAA State Basketball Championships.  
The event went well with an estimated attendance of 42,000, up from last year. The  
feedback from MSHSAA and the hotels was positive. The CVB Team provided catering for  
offficials, workers and MSHSAA staff on Wednesday - Saturday for both weeks. This  
was well received and provided an opportunity to have a strong presence at the event.  
However, we will be looking at securing additional food sponsors in 2025 to assist with  
catering efforts.  
Discussion was held on formalizing the process for teams to access practice courts. The  
coaches currently contact CPS directly. This can be problematic if school is in session  
and gymnasiums are not available. It was suggested to make courts available at the  
Sports Fieldhouse Wednesday - Friday and then utilize Columbia College and Columbia  
Public Schools on Saturday.  
VI. NEW BUSINESS  
Attachments: Sports Commission Report.April 11.2024.pdf  
Special Olympics Missouri Summer Games Request for Proposal  
MO Special Olympics Summer Games bid is now open for 2025 - 2027. An informational  
sheet on the games was distributed.  
The CVB is waiting to submit a bid until they have a response from the University of  
Missouri on whether or not dorm rooms and dining halls will be made available. The  
summer games typically rotate across the state every few years - due to volunteer fatigue  
and accessibility for athletes. The bid asks for communities to assist with providing a list  
of businesses and organizations for event sponsorships. Staff will provide in the bid  
information, should we move forward with a proposal, on the Tourism Development  
Program for a monetary sponsorship should SOMO choose to submit an application for  
funding.  
VII. STAFF REPORTS  
Sports Sales Activities  
Adam Ziervogel will be attending the Sports ETA tradeshow in Portland, OR April 22-26  
with Show-Me Missouri Sports. This is an opportunity to gather leads from sports  
organizations. Show-Me Missouri Sports is made up of fourteen Missouri CVBs/Sports  
Commissions that collaborate through the Missouri Division of Tourism to bring sports  
business to Missouri.  
American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) will return to Club at Old Hawthorne this July.  
A fundraising informational sheet was provided to the commission members.  
The NCAA Golf Regional bid will be announced in October. The sales teams is also  
working on potential new business with Ripkin Baseball's softball affiliate "Softball  
Factory" to host a Showcase at Antimi. They are also discussing the potential of running  
a statewide futsal event with MO Youth Soccer. This would likely happen in the winter  
and scheduled when their board meeting is held in Columbia.  
Discussions are ongoing with Columbia College to host a college bowling tournament in  
mid-January. The local AMF bowling center has new management and has more interest  
in hosting outside events.  
VIII. GENERAL COMMENTS BY PUBLIC, MEMBERS AND STAFF  
James Arnold stated that he liked the idea of possibly meeting at the CVB periodically  
instead of traveling out to the Sports Fieldhouse each month. Several commission  
members stated that they liked that idea and the location of the CVB offices were much  
more convenient.  
James also mentioned that Columbia College regional softball tournament went very well  
and he is encouraged that this event will continue to grow. Tony Daniel, Mizzou Athletics,  
noted that the Mizzou football game home opener has been moved to Thursday, August  
29.  
IX. NEXT MEETING DATE  
May 9th 2024  
The next meeting is scheduled for May 9, 2024.  
X. ADJOURNMENT  
The meeting was adjourned at 12:36 p.m.  
Motion by Kunz. Second by Daniel. Motion carried.  
Members of the public may attend any open meeting. For requests for accommodations related to  
disability, please call 573-874-CITY (573-874-2489) or email CITY@CoMo.gov. In order to assist staff in  
making the appropriate arrangements for your accommodation, please make your request as far in  
advance of the posted meeting date as possible.  
USB DRIVES PROHIBITED: Due to cybersecurity concerns, flash drives and other media devices  
are no longer permitted for delivering files or presentation materials. A speaker who desires to  
display a presentation must upload the presentation, in advance, to the city network using an  
upload portal. To upload your files and learn more, visit CoMo.gov/upload. (Effective Jan. 1,  
2023)