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“Frank Viverito is a treasure in town,” said ESPN broadcaster Joe Buck.
st. LOUIS — For Frank Viverito, leadership has always been about relationships.
“So Frank Viverito is a treasure in town,” said ESPN’s Joe Buck.
“When I think of Frank, it’s always in a great light. His smile always lights up the room,” said baseball Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith.
As chairman of the Sports Commission, it is Frank Viverito’s job to attract, organize and organize sporting events. He was hired in 1995.
“It was an interesting time,” said former Commission Chairman Doug Albrecht. Frank and I had a great time together. I taught him to be a salesman and he taught me to be a better person.
During his tenure, St. Louis has hosted dozens of high-profile events, including the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Final Four, 12 NCAA Wrestling Championships, the United States Figure Skating Championships, the PGA Championship, and the United States Olympic Gymnastics Trials.
Olympic great Jackie Joyner-Kersey said, “We can put together a team that can come in and make the pitch and then we can win. It’s all thanks to Frank’s leadership.” Told.
“He’s not leading the way on all fronts,” said Mark Lombardi, current committee chair and president of the University of Maryville. I mean, I think it would surprise people if we sat down here and made a list of all the things he’s brought to St. Louis and helped this community over the years.
Perhaps his greatest legacy is the Musial Prize. It was his vision that turned a small annual dinner honoring sportsmanship into a national television broadcast that shed light on the best of humanity through athletics and caused ripples across the country.
“So in many ways, his legacy will continue to do great things for the rest of this century, in the lives of five, ten, fifteen, twenty, twenty-five,” he said. I can think of no better legacy than that.”
But now Viverito has announced his retirement.
“I was really surprised when I heard he was retiring because I don’t know what he’s going to do,” Albrecht said.
“I never saw him swing a golf club. I never saw him shoot a basketball. A paddle ball?” Smith said.
Retirement may not be the end of the road, but a new beginning.
“Frank is a great human being who is committed to athletics, sportsmanship, youth sports and what athletics can do not just for its participants, but for society,” said Lombardi.
“I don’t think he gets the recognition he deserves,” Buck said.
“Take off your shoes from Frank,” said Joyner Kersey. “Relax and enjoy your family. Though I know I’ll help him wherever I can.”
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