Durham Sports Commission hosts a 2027 World University Games Panel Discussion
Trip Durham to Facilitate a “DSC Bull Session” Conversation on the 2027 World University Games
May 28, 2021 (DURHAM, N.C.) – In recognition of the United States International University Sports Federation (USIUSF) announcement of intent to host the 2027 Summer World University Games in the Raleigh/Durham market, the Durham Sports Commission (DSC) has taped a “Bull Session” panel discussion on the importance of the World University Games and its potentially advantageous effects on the Durham sporting and non-sporting community.
“Not only are we excited about the possibility of bringing the Summer World University Games back to the United States, something that has only happened once before – in 1993 in Buffalo, New York – we’re thrilled to build momentum for Olympic sports in the U.S. a year before to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California,” said Marcus Manning, executive director of the DSC. “By offering our platform, the DSC seeks to put a spotlight on this, the largest global multisport event for student-athletes, and the economic impacts of the Summer World University Games being held in Durham and across the Triangle.”
The DSC’s three panelists range from near and far, bringing with them an impressive wealth of experience and insight. Delise O’Meally is the CEO of the Institute for Sport and Social Justice (The Institute) in Orlando, Florida. An executive committee member of the International University Sport Federation (FISU), she has extensive experience with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the United States Tennis Association (USTA) as well as a firm understanding of the international culture of sports.
Based out of California, former director of athletics at UCLA, Dan Guerrero now serves as president for the United States International University Sports Federation (USIUSF), the body that facilitates U.S. representation at the World University Games. Guerrero competed in the 1970 games in Italy, drawing on first-hand experience as he leads the federation today.
A long-standing champion for sports tourism, North Carolina native Hill Carrow founded the National Association of Sports Commissions (NASC), the only 501(c)3 trade association for sports and events tourism in our country. Hill has produced and served as director for over 100 major regional, national, and international sports events and was once the Olympic Committee consultant to the Africa National Olympic Committees Association. Carrow leads the 2027 North Carolina bid.
The World University Games are the world’s largest event for student-athletes. The Games are held every other year in the odd year, with both a Winter and Summer Games in the same year. The Games have 15 required sports including Olympic staples such as Athletics (Track & Field), Basketball, Diving, Gymnastics, Swimming, and Volleyball. The host city for the Games can propose additional sports for inclusion in the Games. The Summer World University Games take place over an approximately two-week period, during the summer months. An estimated 7,000 student-athletes and 3,000 coaches from around the world attend, which would generate more than $150 million dollars for the local economy.
As with prior “DSC Bull Sessions” the conversation was facilitated by Trip Durham, founder of 2D Consulting, LLC, and the current public address announcer for Duke Athletics. Durham was previously the President of the National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators (NACMA) and the Associate Director of Athletics at Elon University.
The 40-minute discussion is published across the DSC’s website as well as YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts. The 2027 World University Games roundtable conversations marks the third installments of “DSC Bull Sessions,” a new storytelling initiative from the sports commission that will showcase and explore various topics that are important to the community.
For more about the DSC, please visit www.durhamncsports.com.
Editor’s Note: If interested in interviewing the DSC, panelists or host about the discussions or the history of women’s sports in Durham, please contact Margaret Pentrack. MP4 and audio files of the recordings will be available upon request.
About the United States International University Sports Federation
The United States International University Sorts Federation (USIUSF) is the American organization that holds membership in the International University Sports Federation (FISU) and is the governing body for USA teams participating in the World University Games and World University Championships. USIUSF is comprised of representatives from the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA), the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), and the National Association of Collegiate Athletic Directors (NACDA).
About Durham Sports Commission
The Durham Sports Commission (DSC) is a collaboration of the City of Durham, the County of Durham, the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce and Discover Durham. The DSC was established in 2016 as a 501(c)(3) with a mission 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 provides leadership for sports-based initiatives and create positive economic impact and quality of life in Durham and the surrounding region. Be sure to follow the DSC on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to keep up with all sports-related news in Durham, NC, and other announcements.