2025 Annual Report

The Durham Sports Commission (DSC) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to create economic and social impact by leading the community’s efforts to attract, support and promote youth, amateur collegiate and professional sporting and recreational events.

The DSC seeks to maximize the potential of Durham’s sports facilities and venues, as well as provide leadership and guidance to the public and private sectors on developing athletic facilities and programs to positively benefit the quality of life of the residents of Durham.  

It’s hard to believe that it’s been three years since I stepped in as Board Chair of the Durham Sports Commission. But what’s even more remarkable is how much we have accomplished during that time, not just as a sports commission but as a Durham community.  

I’ve witnessed our evolution from aspiring championship host to establishing ourselves as a true destination for championship events. We’ve moved from building brand awareness to becoming a national brand. I’ve had the privilege of seeing the idea of a women in sports leadership summit blossom into an event that now brings together more than 200 female professionals from across the country connecting right here in Durham. More importantly, I’ve seen firsthand the deepening impact the DSC continues to have in our community. 

The core of any successful organization, sports or not, is the people behind it. It has been my privilege to work alongside Executive Director Marcus Manning and Deputy Director Kaila’Shea Menendez for the last three years. I am constantly inspired by the thoughtfulness, innovation and future-focused vision they bring to their work each day. From positioning Durham at the  forefront of emerging sports, to hosting the first-ever North Carolina high school state championship for women’s flag football, to re-establishing Durham’s long-held relationship with the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association by securing the bid to host the CIAA Football Championship in 2025-2027, their leadership has clearly been both bold and strategic. And I can’t wait to attend Durham County Memorial Stadium this November for a packed CIAA Football Championship. 

From youth sports to professional athletics, the DSC remains committed to celebrating the individuals who make Durham a true City of Champions. This past May, we welcomed 16 teams and over 60,000 fans from across the country for the ACC Baseball Championship, an event that generated significant economic impact for Durham.  

The DSC team is working behind the scenes to support the community through initiatives like the One Team, One Durham Fund, which helps offset the rising costs for local youth participants in sports. They continue to lead the charge for transformative projects like building a new sports complex in Durham. 

Pictured Left to Right: Kara Hess, Women Leaders in Sports; Kaila’Shea Menendez, Durham Sports Commission; Dr. Ingrid Wicker McCree, Durham Sports Commission; Jacqie McWilliams Parker, CIAA

And there is nothing that speaks to the vision of the DSC quite like the Emerging Women in Sports Leadership Summit. An event that began in 2023 that expanded this year to over 200 attendees from fourteen different states. I consider it a true honor to have had the opportunity to be in that room and connect and learn from these women leaders. And I cannot wait to see the way it continues to grow.  

The strength in the Durham Sports Commission lies in this community. I am proud to call the Bull City my home. And I am so proud of all of the growth I have seen. From the youth, high school, collegiate and professional athletes, the small-business owners and hoteliers, we need a collective effort. We need a One Team, One Durham effort.  

As I transition into my role as the Immediate Past Chair, it is my privilege to pass the baton to the new DSC Board chair, a dynamic leader and good friend, Angelique Stallings. I am confident she will continue to build on the momentum we have generated these past few years. I also look forward to continuing my service on the board this year as we drive even greater impact in Durham.   

I would like to thank Marcus and Kaila’Shea for all of their outstanding work not only this year but in all the years we have been able to work together. I would also like to thank all of my fellow board members for providing leadership and guidance. And I would like to thank you, Durham, for continuing to be a community that people want to be a part of.  

I encourage you to read below about the economic impact, social impact and other highlights from this past year. I am confident you’ll share my excitement, not just for what we’ve achieved, but for all that is to come.  

Dr. Ingrid Wicker McCree,  

Board Chair, 2023-25 

Our board of directors is comprised of forward-thinking leaders in the Durham community dedicated to the future of sports in our region. Members provide guidance as the DSC continues to partner with and support Durham’s local sports ecosystem while recruiting more championship events to the Bull City.

	Ingrid Wicker McCree, Ed.D. Chair Consultant PICTOR Group		Angelique Stallings Vice-Chair Vice President of Community Investment Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce
	Ryan Craig​ Secretary/Treasurer Health and Welfare Consultant Gallagher		Troy Austin Deputy Director of Athletics/Development Duke University
	Jaye Pratt​ Educator/Restorative Practice Coordinator Durham Public Schools		Jonathon Leach Executive Director of Administration North Carolina Central University
	Cheryl Parquet AVP, Community Engagement, Corporate Responsibility Blue Cross NC		Scott Strickland Assistant General Manager – Operations Durham Bulls Baseball Club
	Monica Brown Senior Director of Equity Advancement YMCA of the Triangle		Brendan Madigan, CPA Chief Financial Officer Limited Run Games

The Durham Sports Commission’s mission includes creating social impact through: 

Leading the community’s efforts to attract, support and promote youth, amateur, collegiate and professional sporting and recreational events focused on a positive impact on our community

• In 2024-2025, we hosted and provided financial support to a number of events that generated a significant social impact in Durham, including hosting the Emerging Women in Sports Leadership Summit at the Durham Convention Center. The DSC also supported the Triangle Race for the Cure, the Trey Ennis Lacrosse for Leukemia Memorial Tournament and the Battle for the Blades Softball Tournament and Community Event.  
• The DSC also partnered with ACC Baseball to host a youth clinic at Historic Durham Athletic Park, where kids ages 6-14 had the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of the game from former MLB players.

Partnering with community organizations that are aligned with our mission

• We also generate social impact through partnering with community organizations, such as the Boys and Girls Club of Durham and Orange Counties, Downtown Durham YMCA, Durham Rescue Mission and G.R.A.B. Durham.  

Giving individuals opportunities to gain experience and get involved in our sports community with our internship and volunteer programs

• We focus on creating mutually beneficial opportunities and have spent the last fiscal year strengthening both programs.  In 2024-2025 we had seven interns from three different local universities, as well as 37 different volunteers assist with our events. 

Providing opportunities for sports participation to local youth through the One Team, One Durham Fund 

• This year, we provided support to two organizations and ten individuals total through the One Team, One Durham fund. This included the Bull City Silverbacks youth football team and the Bull City Athletic Association.

The One Team, One Durham Fund (1T1D) supports youth sports development in the area with grants awarded to local nonprofits. The 1T1D Fund is 100% privately funded and provides financial assistance to support youth sports in the areas of: 

• Leadership development 

• Participation in leagues, membership, and organization fees  

• Access to non-traditional sport opportunities 

Need-based grants are awarded through 501(c)3 organizations operating in Durham to benefit individuals participating in their programming. 1T1D will support up to five people per organization with grants of $200 per person.

The DSC knows that it takes a community-wide effort to help increase the social and economic impact of sports. Many thanks to Durham Sports Club, Capitol Broadcasting Company and Marco’s Pizza for supporting the DSC’s mission of expanding access and championship play in Durham through sponsorship. 

We also want to thank the following organizations for their support of the DSC this past year:

• Artistic Eating
• City of Durham
• Durham Convention Center
• Durham County
• Durham Coca-Cola
• Sheetz

The following charts reflect the income and expenses of the DSC from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. The DSC provided financial assistance for 48 events in FY25. This was reflected in both grants and events. 

It’s no secret that the innovative work we are doing is being noticed. In 2024-2025, we had 86 media placements across platforms, with a reach of over 26 million generating a $1.78 million publicity value. Check out some of our highlights below. 

With brand awareness in mind, the DSC strives to create innovative content on social media, while keeping a finger on the pulse of all things sports in the Bull City. We aim to promote events, tell the stories of those who laid the foundation for sports in Durham and celebrate the those who continue to change the game.

In 2024-2025, the DSC accounts generated over 1.6 million organic social media impressions and gained over 1,500 new followers.