OUR STORY AND TEAM
OUR STORY
Improving civic pride through sports
The San Jose Sports Authority is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to increase the City of San Jose’s economic development, visibility and civic pride through sports. Serving as the City’s sports commission since its inception in 1991, the Sports Authority has provided leadership and support to attract or host hundreds of sporting events in San Jose and the South Bay. The Sports Authority also supports and operates community, youth and amateur sports programs, including the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame, and the REACH Youth Scholarship Program.
Objectives
SJSA works daily to further San Jose as the premier center for sports on the West Coast. We accomplish this by:
- Bringing major sports events to the community
- Creating new and permanent sports events for the community
- Supporting existing organizations in the community
- Emphasizing youth programs and events
We are committed to growing and celebrating diversity, increasing fairness throughout our organization, and intentionally creating environments where differences are embraced and everyone feels welcome, respected, supported, and valued to fully participate.
218
Events Held to 2023
24
Events Scheduled through 2026
Premier Events
The Sports Authority has a long and proud history of attracting and hosting sports here in the Capital of Silicon Valley, and as a result San Jose has established itself as a premier destination for some of the most prestigious amateur and professional sporting events.
These include the Amgen Tour of California, College Football Playoff National Championship, National Hockey League All-Star Game, NCAA Men’s Basketball Championships, NCAA Women's College Cup, NCAA Men's Golf Regionals, Rock-n-Roll Racing Series, Super Bowl 50 Media Day, USA Judo Junior Olympics, USA Water Polo Junior Olympics, WTA Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic, Western Intercollegiate Golf, U.S. Gymnastics Olympics Team Trials, U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Wrestlemania, as well as sold-out international events such as Copa Centenario, CONCACAF Gold Cup, Silicon Valley Sevens, USA vs. China FIVB World League Volleyball, and Pacific Rim Gymnastics Championships.
Influential leadership
The Sports Authority staff is led by Executive Director John Poch, Director of Events Darren Centi and Event Specialist Chase Lazarus. We have a diverse board of community leaders who have been doing meaningful, successful and nationally recognized work on behalf of the City of San Jose for more than 20 years. Chaired by SJSU CFO/VP Charlie Faas, and comprised of some of the most influential business, community and sports industry leaders in the Bay Area, the Sports Authority carries out a broad mission, with equal parts economic development, marketing, promotion, implementation, event management, and community development.
John Poch
Executive Director
Darren Centi
Director of Events
Chase Lazarus
Event Specialist
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