Five Questions: Brent Dunn

The sports commission was created in 1999 as a way to develop the Springfield area as a venue for amateur and professional sporting events. Dunn, the assistant director of athletics and director of athletics development for Missouri State University by day, is the school’s representative to the commission’s board. He succeeds Darlene Bailey, who left the school in September to take a position as associate commissioner of the Western Athletic Conference.

Q: What is the purpose of the sports commission?

A: It looks at events that can be brought into Springfield that would benefit all of Springfield, in terms of attracting people from out of town and helping the economic development of the community. It also supports all endeavors of athletics throughout Springfield. But the real goal is to attract athletic conventions and events.

Q: What does Missouri State’s representation do for the commission?

A: We can offer information on what the university is doing and assist in economic development linked to events that we hold. Last year, we hosted the (Missouri Valley Conference) women’s basketball tournament, and we worked closely with the convention and visitors bureau in attracting fans from outside of Missouri. In two years, we will have a spectacular new arena, not only for us but for the community. In that process, we’ll keep the board up to date on the project and the amenities that we can offer. I think it’s just a good working relationship and a natural one between the university, the CVB and the sports commission.

Q: How do university athletics tie in to the overall development of the community?

A: We add to the economic development of Springfield through all of our athletic events, just by bringing in visiting teams and visiting fans. For example, we’ll be hosting the Missouri Valley Conference baseball tournament this spring at Hammons Field, and a lot of teams in the Missouri Valley and their fans will be coming into the city – staying at our hotels, eating at our restaurants, buying gas here. About every sporting event that we host has an out-of-town team, and we want to provide a good experience for the other teams and their fans, which helps the economy.

Q: Is there one activity that Springfield doesn’t host that you would love to see come here?

A: I think having the state high school championships would be good. From a Missouri Valley Conference perspective, men’s basketball is neutral in St. Louis, and women’s might be neutral – we’ve hosted it before, but that may be going to a neutral site. There will be the capacity for the high school state championships with the new arena. I don’t know if it’s been discussed, but I think there are opportunities there.

Q: What is your favorite sport?

A: Golf is my sport. I love all sports (and) enjoy competition in all sports that we host and others. I have an 8-year-old son who plays basketball, baseball and soccer, but personally, golf is the one I participate in. I could do that every day.