Sports ETA Announces Members of 2025 Hall of Fame Class

Linda Logan, chief executive officer and president of the Greater Columbus Sports Commission; Jon Lugbill, executive director, Sports Backers; and Frank Viverito, retired president and chief executive officer of the St. Louis Sports Commission, will be inducted into the Sports ETA Hall of Fame at its annual symposium in April.

“Sports ETA is honored to welcome three new members into the association’s prestigious Hall of Fame,” said John David, president and chief executive officer of Sports ETA. “Linda Logan, Jon Lugbill and Frank Viverito have all made major impacts in our industries and their respective communities that are celebrated and recognized by their induction into the Sports ETA Hall of Fame.”

The Sports ETA Hall of Fame is a lifetime achievement award recognizing contributions to Sports ETA and the overall sports tourism industry. The Sports ETA Hall of Fame was launched in 2017 and there have been six induction classes with 21 honorees.

Logan has been chief executive officer and president of the Greater Columbus Sports Commission since founding the organization in 2002. The GCSC has attracted over 350 new events and generating approximately $380 million in visitor spending. ​

Her career includes significant roles with the Big Eight Conference and Kemper Arena in Kansas City. Upon returning to Ohio, she contributed to the development of the Greater Columbus Convention Center before focusing on sports marketing. The Columbus Foundation honored her with The Spirit of Columbus Award in 2024 for her dedication to community partnerships and promoting the region’s image.

“Sports has been the backdrop of my life since I was young girl growing up in the Cleveland area, following the baseball team any way I could,” said Logan. “To make a career out of sports and tie it to a community that I love has been such a privilege. Columbus is a special city and I’m thankful to our partners across the community that help us win, promote and host so many amazing events the last 23 years. I’m grateful for our staff whose passion and dedication to our organization has made this recognition possible for me.”

Lugbill has served as the executive director of the Sports Backers — a nonprofit group that inspires active living in all corners of the Richmond, Virginia, region — for 32 years. The organization hosts more than a dozen other events each year including the Allianz Partners Richmond Marathon, Dominion Energy Riverrock, Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k, CarMax Tacky Light Run.

The organization has some of the nation’s largest training teams, a kids fitness program with tens of thousands of participants, 60 free fitness classes every week in challenged communities and an active infrastructure advocacy effort. In 2006, 2009, 2011 and 2016 the Sports Backers were voted America’s Best Sports Commission by Sports ETA.

As an athlete, Lugbill won five individual and seven team world championship titles in whitewater canoe slalom and was fourth in the 1992 Olympic Summer Games. He has been elected to the International Whitewater Hall of Fame and the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.

“I’m very grateful for the honor of being inducted into the Sports ETA Hall of Fame,” said Lugbill. “While I’m being honored personally, it is really a reflection on the dedicated volunteers, board members, donors, sponsors, partner organizations and local governments, that collectively have created an active living movement in the Richmond region.”

Viverito was president and chief executive officer of the St. Louis Sports Commission from 1995–2022 and is currently the organization’s chief advisory officer. During his tenure, the Commission attracted events including both the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Final Fours, 10 NCAA Wrestling Championships, the NCAA Frozen Four, the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament, the PGA Championship, the U.S. Figure Skating Championships and the Olympic Gymnastics, Diving and Marathon Trials.

Viverito was also at the forefront of creating the annual Musial Awards locally. He has been inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame and has been honored with awards given by many organizations including the National Football Foundation, Missouri Athletic Club and Baseball Writers Association of America.

“Sports ETA was born as the National Association of Sports Commissions in St. Louis in 1992, so the organization has always meant a great deal to me,” said Viverito. “Now, to be chosen for its Hall of Fame, along with my dear friends Jon and Linda, simply means the world.”