EXPERTS AT SPORTS AND ATHLETICS SINCE 1955.
We are Florida’s first and oldest sports commission. Our history dates back to 1955 when we led efforts to manage local and national golf tournament events right here in Pensacola.
Since then, our reach has grown to encompass more than golf. Today, we reach over 25,000 people across a variety of sport events, activities and initiatives, including baseball, basketball, football, running, soccer, tennis and more.
Pensacola Sports is a private 501(c)3 not-for-profit agency primarily funded from revenues generated from membership and events. Our focus has and always will be on education, inspiration and participation in various team, individual, amateur and professional sports activities. Learn more about what Pensacola Sports offers or meet our leadership team.
Check out our latest Be Moved Magazine. Pensacola’s active lifestyle magazine.
he federal ID number for Pensacola Sports is 59-2113050.
Our Impact
We are dedicated to inspiring our community to perform and connect with sports and each other. By fostering and encouraging participation in amateur and professional sports and personal physical fitness, we are creating a community that promotes sportsmanship, camaraderie and community. We do this through Event Management & Marketing, Sports Tourism Promotion, and giving back through the Pensacola Sports Community Grant Program.
Mission: We are passionate about enhancing the quality of life, health, wellbeing and economic development of the Pensacola and surrounding regions through sports and recreation.
Vision: Pensacola Sports is a recognized leader—and champion—for professional and amateur participant sports, athletics and sports tourism in the Pensacola and the Northwest Florida region.
We have established our reputation as an organization that delivers access to unrivaled athletic events promoting individual health and economic wellbeing for our community: thus, enhancing the quality of life for its citizens.
Event Management
We are experts at athletic event management and promotion.
We leverage the geographic beauty, natural assets and historic charm of our region to showcase the unique characteristics that make our community great. Because of this, our events are unrivaled in their scenic quality, and promote individual health and economic well-being for our community, and thus, enhancing the quality of life for all.
Our staff of professionals is experienced in all phases of event management, including marketing, budgeting, event operations, hospitality and public relations.
Some of our most successful events include the Pensacola Double Bridge Run 15K and 5K, and the Pensacola Marathon & Half Marathon, High School All-Star Series, the Annual Awards Banquet, as well as several others.
Have an idea for an event, or need support? Taking existing events and elevating them to the next level of success is one of our specialties! See if you quality for one of our grants to help take your event to the next level.
Sports Tourism Promotion
Growing the health and vitality of Pensacola’s economy.
We are advocates for growing the health and vitality of Pensacola’s citizens and economy through education, inspiration and participation in a diverse range of amateur and professional, individual and team sports-related activities and events. These efforts contribute to the quality of life in our community.
As the sports tourism agency of Escambia County, we work with local, regional, state and national sporting event promoters, teams and organizations to generate economic revenue for our community, and attract national and international athletes to our area.
Sports tourism plays an integral role in attracting visitor athletes and supporters to our area. Through the Escambia County Tourist Development Council, Pensacola Sports administers grant monies to local groups and organizations that coordinate events with a demonstrated history of visitor impact or significant potential to draw overnight visitors to the area.
We invite sports tourists to stay and play, by working with a network of partner sports venues, accommodations, attractions and dining establishments to offer visitors a wide array of options during their stay.
Hall of Fame Criteria
Inductees to the Pensacola Sports Hall of Fame are selected annually by a selection committee. Members of the Hall of Fame are an elite group who have had continued excellence in sports or who have made outstanding contributions to Pensacola area sports. New Hall of Fame members are inducted and announced each year at the Cox Pensacola Sports Annual Awards Banquet amid great fanfare. If you know someone who you believe should be inducted into the Hall of Fame please send their name and contact information as well as their career achievements to Amy Marquez at amarquez@pensacolasports.org
Candidates should be selected for outstanding contributions to Pensacola area sports in the following categories:
- Improvements to the Pensacola Sports organization and program
- Superior achievement in athletics
- Meritorious service to a particular event, but not necessarily limited to one
- Other noteworthy accomplishments in the field of sports worthy of this distinction
2018
Lumon May
Michelle Snow
Glenwood Belich
2016
Chad Quenneville
Richard LaBounty
Charlie Warner
2015
Charles Gheen
Mike Killam
Fred Robbins
Tim Bryant
2014
Tom Fruitticher
Bill Vilona
2013
Dennis Lewallyn
Horace Jones
Robert Freeman
Joe Durant
2012
Adrian Stills
Kevin Saucier
Charlie Hendley
2011
Keith Wells
Talmadge Nunnari
Derrick Brooks
2010
Calvin Washington
Buck Showalter
Bill Hamilton
2009
Jimmy Haynes
John Panyko
Stanley Levin
2008
Don Caton
Bruce Caton
Larry Caton
Terry Kellen
Ben McLeod Jr.
Yancy Spencer
2007
Charles Carlan
Mike DeSorbo
Rob Hermann
Ralph Croker
Randy Pounders
2006
Charlie & Anne Knight
Johnny Walker
2005
Vicki Carson
Gordon Paulus
Jim Spooner
Dan Shugart
2004
Walter Biggs
Travis Fryman
Dottie Whitcomb
2003
Hiram Cook
Bill Hargreaves
Fred Levin
2002
James Currie
Bill Noonan
2001
Donn Peery
2000
Joe Endry
1999
Melissa Miller Schubeck
Tom Dawson
1998
Matt Langley Bell, III
Gregg Litton
Wayne Niedecken, Sr.
Bill Fryman
1997
Richard Berg
Roy Jones, Sr.
1996
Pat Pate
Norm Ross
Jerry Stephens
1995
Roy Jones, Jr.
Jerry Pate
Emmitt Smith, III
1994
Roger MacDonald
1993
Gene Bridges
Pat Weldon
1992
George Wagenheim
Jim Donovan
Vince Whibbs
1991
Tony Wong
John Carr
1990
Hurley Manning
Ray McClean
Gary Buffington
1989
Ralph “Skeeter” Carson
1988
Bud Reynolds
Jack Tuthill
Lou Ross
1987
Dottie Celano
Jim Bland
1986
Dick Merritt, Jr.
Jack Kugelman
Steve Williams
1985
Dwight Thomas
Ronnie & Janis Bond
Bill Bond
Danny Fike
Gordy Glenz
Jimmy Pressley
1984
Fenner McConnell
Duck Ellington
Virginia Holland
Wilmer Mitchell
Don Sharp
1983
Allen Miller
Kay Stephenson
Hoskin Powell
Betty Douglas
1982
Larry Scott
Bill Frye
Ed Ellis
Jody Skelton
Ken Shugart
1981
Bryant Liggett
Jeannette DeLong
Cliff Barnhart
Magruder Tuttle
1980
Carl Madison
Don Priest
William “Red” Vickrey
Raymond Riddles
1979
Benny Russell
Sherman Robinson
1978
Tom Lalor
Ashton J. Hayward, Sr.
1977
Fred Waters
1976
Dr. Nat Arenson
Fred Pancoast
David Hudson
Don Sutton
1975
Russell Scarritt
1974
G. Pratt Martin, Sr.
1973
John H. Whitcomb, M.D.
E.C. Cob, M.D.
1972
Carl “Red” Barnhart
Paul King
Arnold Grey
R.H. Merritt
Ralph Chaudron
1971
Marvin Beck
Ernie Priest
John Dashiell
1970
H.M. (Bill) Brady, Jr.
J.A. (Jim) Scoggins
1969
Bill Barkley
1968
Claydon Attridge
Dr. Lou Gregory
Ron Jourdan
Adm. Austin K. Doyle, USN (Ret)
1967
Downing Gray
Julian O. Olsen, Sr.
Jack Tuthill
C.V. Rainwater
1966
Bill Carr
Floyd Soule
William Soule
Sportsman of the Year
Sportsman of the Year is presented at the Cox Pensacola Sports Annual Awards Banquet for contributing to the advancement of sports in the greater Pensacola Area, or achievement of an outstanding athletic accomplishment. Sportsman of the Year is the most prestigious award handed out annually by Pensacola Sports.
2018
Marty Stanovich
2017
Pete Shinnick
2016
Dave Scott
2015
Ray Palmer
2014
Derrick Brooks
2013
Richard LaBounty
2012
Bubba Watson
2011
Mike Jeffcoat
2010
Larry & Linda Thompson
2009
Judy Bense
2008
Chad Gilliland
2007
Hiram cook
2006
Richard Berg
2005
David Mayo
2004
Tim Kerr
2003
Sandy Sansing
2002
Quint & Rishy Studer
2001
Shirley Cronley
2000
Edwin Roberts
1999
Dick Appleyard
1998
Matt Langley Bell
1997
Strick Mayes
1996
Jim Metteson
1995
Mike Bass
1994
Gordy Glenz
1993
Jack Kugelman
1992
Dr. Leo Flynn
1991
William “Red” Vickrey
1990
Jack Tuthill
1989
Vine Whibbs
1988
Don Priest
1987
John Carr
1986
Roger MacDonald
1985
Larry Scott
1984
Jerry Stephens
1983
Frank Brown, Sr.
1982
Magruder Tuttle
1981
Jerry Pate
1980
Henry LeLong
1979
Pratt Martin
1978
Richard Merrit, Sr.
1977
George Wagenheim
1976
Robert G. Carr
1975
Capt. JH McCurtain, USN
1974
Thomas M. Lalor
1973
Roger G. Martin
1972
Fred Newcome
1971
Wilmer H. Mitchell
1970
Allen Miller
1969
Dr. Nathan Arenson
1968
George E. White, Jr.
1967
Porter F. Bedell
1966
Don Sutton
1965
Sam A. Love, Jr.
1964
Harold Stokes
1963
Jack Fiveash
1962
Sherman Barnes
1961
Joe Oldmixon
1960
Jon Macbeth
1959
Bodie McCrory
Joe Marques
1958
Dr. William W. Miller
1957
“Lefty” Lybrand
1956
Jack Colter
Bill Soule
1955
EH “Dude” McCrory
1954
John Paul Jones
