Jerald Andrews hit it out of the park with his second career.
President and executive director of the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame since 1995, Andrews has led the John Q. Hammons-developed Hall to become the premier sports recognition organization in the Show-Me State.
“Over the last few years, the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame has enjoyed exceptional growth and recognition across the state,” says Andrews, a former Southwest Baptist University administrator.
“It is now truly recognized as the state’s Sports Hall of Fame, which recognizes numerous people and programs annually while entertaining thousands of individuals across the state.”
The two-story, 32,000-square-foot Hall of Fame, 3861 E. Stan Musial Drive, is home to some 4,000 items of sports memorabilia and exhibits and annually inducts sports legends and organizations into its ranks, according to its website.
Andrews’ influence hasn’t gone unnoticed.
“Jerald is probably the best-known sports executive in Missouri and is on a first-name basis with hundreds of Hall of Fame athletes, coaches, managers and club owners,” says Leon Combs, chairman of the Hall of Fame Board of Directors. “I have known Jerald and worked closely with him for at least 15 years and have found him to be one of the most effective, hard working and caring individuals I have ever known.”
Andrews is uniquely situated to serve as tournament director for the Price Cutter Charity Championship on PGA’s Web.com Tour, which is in its 25th year at Highland Springs Country Club, home of the Hall of Fame. In each of the last two years, the PCCC has distributed more than $800,000 to nearly 50 charities, and since its inception, has doled out nearly $11 million to area nonprofits with youth-service missions.
It’s a source of pride for Andrews, who has managed the tournament since he began working at the Hall of Fame.
“When I stop and recognize the impact that has been made on thousands of young lives, I receive a great deal of rewarding feelings,” he says.
Prior to his leadership with the organization, Andrews worked nearly 20 years at SBU in a range of positions, including being named the university’s youngest vice president in 1980 and culminating with his last job at the school as senior executive vice president.
“I supervised virtually every department outside of the classrooms,” Andrews says. “I created a very comprehensive flow chart of roles, responsibilities and accountability.”
While at SBU, he retained several young graduates in entry-level positions while they figured out the next step in their lives. Andrews says he still receives thank-you notes, late night phone calls and visits from those he helped to mentor.
“I always had a philosophy of asking people to do their best,” Andrews says. “I get a great deal of pleasure when I hear about their accomplishments related to their careers and personal lives.”
Andrews served 12 years on the board of the Bolivar school district and as president of the Bolivar Chamber of Commerce for two years.
A founding investor of Bank of Bolivar and founding chairman and current board member for OakStar Bank, Andrews also owns a 400-acre cattle farm.[[In-content Ad]]
