In 2003, the San Antonio Sports Foundation made a move that reflected the successes of the previous two decades. The fledgling organization was first housed at Valero’s corporate offices due to the generosity of Bill Greehey and his welcoming staff. With Valero’s move to a stand-alone headquarters, SASF leadership helped find a temporary home in the Olmos Professional Building in 1999.
Also making a move in 2003 were the San Antonio Spurs who made the SBC Center (now the Frost Bank Center) their home. This made space available in the Alamodome, which the Foundation had been instrumental in securing public funding and voter approval to build.
Sports Foundation leaders Jim Callaway, Pat Frost, Bill Greehey and Joe Krier worked with City of San Antonio executive staff, City Manager Alex Briseno, Assistant City Manager Roland Lozano and Attorney Eddie Garcia to reach an agreement with Alamodome officials to fill space, and the move began.
Now President/CEO Jenny Carnes and former Associate Executive Director Bill Hanson schlepped boxes, painted walls and built tables to transform the Foundation’s new home. The Alamodome has since been home to the non-profit sports commission for more than two decades and has also provided new opportunities. As Carnes says, “The move has been an invitation to sit at the table with the City.”
Many of the events attracted by San Antonio Sports have been the catalyst for thirty years of improvements to the Alamodome so it can meet hosting requirements and compete nationally with other venues. The success of the Alamodome and the partnership between SAS and the City of San Antonio has brought in over a billion dollars in economic impact over the years.