Message board »Message Board home »Sign-in or register to get started
Online now: 4 members: Boom66, Joe-SL Bulls, TABLE SETTER 11, kotonk; 115 anonymousDiscussion: Fran Dowell Named One of Top Sports Planners in America
| Posted | Discussion |
| Jan. 16, 2009 SSUSA Staff 3490 posts | Fran Dowell Named One of Top Sports Planners in America SACRAMENTO, CA (Jan. 16, 2009) -- Fran Dowell, the executive director of Senior Softball-USA, the largest senior softball organization in America, today was named one of the top Sports Events Planners of 2009 by SportsEvents Magazine. "The January 2009 issue of SportsEvents Magazine spotlights industry professionals from across the country who have exhibited a high level of professionalism, creativity and excellence in hosting sports events," said Michelle Martin, managing editor of SportsEvents. Dowell was the first woman executive director in the history of the sport when she was named in 2006. Sacramento-based Senior Softball-USA is the largest of the 9 national softball associations offering senior softball programs. There are an estimated 2 million softball players over 50 in the United States. Of those 2 million players, about 30,000 compete at the national level. "Fran Dowell began with us in 1998 and greatly exceeded our expectations in every job we gave her," said Hennessy. "She flat out earned the position. She has become one of the best known people in the sport in America and one of the most respected." Senior Softball-USA was founded in 1988. Today, in addition to 40 National Qualifying tournaments in the United States and Canada, Senior Softball-USA runs 20 Regional, National and World Championships, publishes the quarterly newspaper, Senior Softball News, publishes the sportŐs rulebook and holds international tournaments. In 2008, Senior Softball-USA generated approximately $70 million in economic impact for the host cities through its 60 tournaments. Over the past 21 years, Senior Softball-USA has brought American teams to more than 20 countries to promote senior softball. This year US teams will compete in Japan and Taiwan in November. |
| Jan. 16, 2009 F.O.G. Men's 40 105 posts | Congatulations, Fran on this WELL DESERVED honor...I don't know how you do it. See you next weekend! Mike Williams 40+ National Director |
| Jan. 16, 2009 TOMAR77 Men's 65 333 posts | Congrats, 2 U, well deserved! Tommyd, Git-R-Done, Mgr |
| Jan. 16, 2009 2awesom Men's 50 308 posts | I would like to say "Congrats" & "Thanks" to Fran! My team just got back from the 2009 TOC and in the Championship Game we had a player get hurt who was taken to the Hospital. The next day I received a call from Fran,! She asked about our injured player and asked if he was out of the Hospital and OK? She did not have to do that! I very much appreciated the Call! Fran & Dave are AAA+++ in my humble opinion. Rick #22 Co-Coach Frederick Chev/E&E Metal Fab 50+ Major Plus ** If you want to see how our player got injured, go to Jack's photo's, he caught the entire event! |
| Jan. 16, 2009 2awesom Men's 50 308 posts | BTW Our Player is doing Fine, just thought I should mention that! |
| Jan. 16, 2009 Lecak Men's 60 1026 posts | OUTSTANDING well deserved. Joe Lecak Las Vegas |
| Jan. 16, 2009 einstein Men's 50 3112 posts | Way to go, Franny. |
| Jan. 16, 2009 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | Kudos to you Fran. I do believe also, that it's a team thing (working together to get it all done). Keep up the great and no doubt exhausting work. |
| Jan. 16, 2009 audieh Men's 60 249 posts | Great job, Fran. Well deserved. You folks do a great job for seniors! Keep up the good work. |
| Jan. 16, 2009 butch17 Men's 55 412 posts | Fran thats a great honor and you deserve it!!! I know now why you were chosen to be my other wife and how you put up with Dave. Once again congrats. Butch |
| Jan. 16, 2009 4x4 Men's 65 601 posts | Well ..................................... What took them sooo long to see what we all aready see. Great job, and well deserved Fran And Thank YOU |
| Jan. 16, 2009 Bill in Sac Men's 75 32 posts | Congratulations Fran on this super honor. You are always a pleasure to talk to and deal with. Bill Enos Sacramento 70 S.F.Seals |
| Jan. 16, 2009 TGIII Men's 60 106 posts | Fran..Congratulatons on a very deserving award and appropriate recognition for s person that has dedicated their life to senior softball. Thank you for all of your hard work to make SSUSA such a successful organization. We appreciate your efforts. Kevin.....Top Gun III |
| Jan. 16, 2009 softballer Men's 65 594 posts | Fran congratulation all the way around! you are the bestest! lol how can you get Dave on that band wagon we love you guys 'The Litle's Monta, Rhonda, Ryan |
| Jan. 16, 2009 Downs 60 posts | Fran, from the entire senior softball community up here in the great N/W, our sincerest "congratulations" on your recent selection by the Sports Events Magazine as one of the nation's top Sports Events Planners of 2009. It is a well deserved selection and speaks very highlly of you and your respective SSUSA Staff. It is obvious you "Lead BY Example" and surround yourself with people you respect and trust and that's why SSUSA works so well. Also, we the benefactors of all SSUSA's time and efforts, appreciate your responsiveness to our complaints, needs, and suggestions. There is little doubt, as I know you personally, that you share this national honor with your entire Staff, and rightly so. You and Terry have a justifyable reason to be proud of your many personal accomplishments as well as the SSUSA's Organizational accomplishments. We all salute you and totally agree with this national award. Walk proud, you earned it, you deserve it, we support it. Jim |
| Jan. 16, 2009 Mac21 Men's 65 38 posts | Fran..Congratulations from the Monkey Joe's Big Nut teams. Well deserved. |
| Jan. 18, 2009 bashbro1 Men's 70 267 posts | From: SportsEvents Magazine spotlights industry professionals: Intro: "The sports event planners featured in this spotlight have garnered attention in the industry for their ability to recognize and rise above the various challenges of running sports events, for their innovative and creative approaches to planning and executing sports events, for their ability to inspire others, for their dedication to their jobs, and for their passion for sports—for providing opportunities for thousands of youth and adults to compete in the sports they love as well." Comments: Congratulations from Art Eversole (SSUSA Handle=bashbro1, or as you call me “Vanna”) on your recognition so rightfully deserved and hard earned. |
| Jan. 18, 2009 bashbro1 Men's 70 267 posts | oops forgot the comments section about. From: SportsEvents Magazine spotlights industry professionals: The sports event planners featured in this spotlight have garnered attention in the industry for their ability to recognize and rise above the various challenges of running sports events, for their innovative and creative approaches to planning and executing sports events, for their ability to inspire others, for their dedication to their jobs, and for their passion for sports—for providing opportunities for thousands of youth and adults to compete in the sports they love as well. Fran Dowell, executive director for Senior Softball USA, plans approximately 60 tournaments a year for more than 30,000 registered players on roughly 2,000 teams. During a tournament last August, she was one of five people to respond to an emergency situation after someone at the tournament suffered a heart attack. Dowell credited the life-saving moment to the organization’s policy requiring automated external defibrillators at all playing sites. “Ten weeks later, the person who survived the heart attack was the guest of honor at the opening ceremonies for the Phoenix World Championships.” Congratulations from Art Eversole (SSUsA Handle=bashbro1, or as you call me “Vanna”) on your recognition rightfully deserved and hard earned. |
| Jan. 18, 2009 Enviro-Vac Men's 65 489 posts | Pride and passion, two words that I believe sum up Fran Dowell. I believe I know how hard you have worked to earn the recognition you presently enjoy in Senior Softball, and I feel that you are a large part of SSUSA’s success. Sports Events Planners have made a good choice. Please accept our teams’ best wishes. Jim Klassen, Manager |
| Jan. 18, 2009 jim16 Men's 65 180 posts | Hats off to Sports Events Magazine for discovering what we've known for a few years. Fran, you have now given the game we love so much more recognition within the whole world of sports. VERY WELL DONE! |
