Berks County Sports Commission

History of Berks County Sports Commission

The Greater Reading Convention and Visitors Bureau announced The formation of Berks County Sports Commission on February 28, 2002. The committee’s mission is to promote Berks County as an ideal Location for state, regional, national and international sporting events, leading to a positive increase in the county’s local economy.

In the winter of 2001 the Commission became a member of the NASC. The NASC was founded in 1992 by 15 cities to promote amateur sports, provide networking opportunities to sports commission professionals and increase dialogue between host cities and event rights holders (owners of the events). Over 276 organizations from more than 225 cities across the country are currently members of the NASC. Membership includes organizations such as sports commissions, convention and visitors bureaus, even rights holders, colleges and universities and vendors and suppliers to the sports industry.

The commission is responsible for bringing in the National Archery Tournament and Smart Ones Skate America in 2003 to Berks County. The National Archery Tournament brought over 1,000 visitors into the County for seven to ten days in August of 2003. Smart Ones Skate America 2003 attracted more than 60 world-class figure skaters from around the world in October 2003, as well as over 16,000 fans who purchased tickets to this event.

The commission worked with the City of Reading to secure the Commerce Bank Triple Crown Pro Cycling Race for 2006. The race attracted amateur and professional teams from all over the world as well as over 15,000 fans who lined the streets of Reading.

The Commerce Bank Triple Crown Pro Cycling Race returned on June 7, 2007. It brought over 400 athletes from 23 countries and 70 elite amateur cyclists to Reading. It was a huge success thanks to the help of the local organizing committee. The race was also televised by local and Philadelphia TV stations as well as broadcasted by a local radio stations.

Skate America will return the week of October 21-28, 2007, to Reading, Pa. The organizers had such an excellent result here in 2003, they asked Reading to host the event again. The excitement is building as world class figure skaters will compete in the singles, pairs, and dance competition. The event will be televised live by NBC Sports.

Sports Committee Members

Cy Klapchar
Greater Reading Convention and Visitors Bureau

Dr. Steve Banco
Sponsorship Chairman

Dot Basile
Classic Harley Davidson

Leon Mazurie
Spring Township Parks & Recreation

Janel Smith
Lorish Marketing Group

Dan Clouser
Berkshire Baseball & Softball

Lex Dudas
Maple Grove Raceway

Joseph Jacobs
Alvernia College

TJ McGlinn
All Star Distributing

Mike Moyer
Big Kick Soccer

Bill Semmel
Berks County Parks & Recreation

Pat Shields
Fromuth

Zane Collins
Sovereign Center