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THE NEED FOR SPORTS FACILITIES

The Rochester Sports Foundation is building on our community’s longtime success in amateur sports events and development. Rochester has a storied amateur sports history, but a need has emerged for additional sports complexes and facilities. During a time when local governments can no longer make local sports and recreation a priority, the Rochester Sports Foundation is stepping up to advocate for our community and help fulfill these rising needs!

Two Organizations Two Different Missions

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Rochester Sports (RS):

Formerly the Rochester Amateur Sports Commission - formed in 1992; Funded by the lodging tax to attract/host sporting events for economic value to the city; Staff of five with an office in the city Civic Center; Board of twenty; Responsibilities are sports tourism sales, marketing of the city and operations of events; www.rochestermnsports.org 

 

Check out the current events in town: https://www.rochestermnsports.org/events.html

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Rochester Sports Foundation (RSF):

New non-profit entity in 2019 formed from RS leadership; Funded by grants and donations; Staff of .6 Director with no bricks/mortar office; Board of seven members; Only goal - to focus on sports facility development to enhance community sports facilities; www.rochsportsfoundation.org

Purpose and Objective

The primary objective of Rochester MN Sports Foundation is to promote sports facility development investment in the Rochester, Minnesota area.

Mission

The Foundation shall lead efforts in planning and developing future community facility needs by utilizing local input and resources to attain outcomes determined by Rochester Sports Foundation leadership.

Guiding Principles

The Foundation shall work to coordinate various resources of all types to help in the maintenance, development and funding of various sports and recreation facilities in a manner that helps further the sports tourism industry for the city of Rochester, MN.

Staff Contact

ED HRUSKA DIRECTOR, ROCHESTER SPORTS FOUNDATION

ehruska@rochsportsfoundation.org
(507) 208-0450

Ed Hruska is the Director of the Rochester Sports Foundation following sixteen years as Executive Director of the Rochester Amateur Sports Commission. Ed served on the Rochester City Council for four terms and has served on numerous boards over the years.

Ed annually organizes fishing trips to Alaska and Canada and enjoys coin collecting/appraising. He has a son Drew and daughter Holly and four wonderful grandchildren.

Board of Directors

The Rochester Sports Foundation Board of Directors and Advisory Committee assists in expanding the organization’s vision and ability to accomplish our mission. They will help gather sports facility information and prioritize local needs within the Rochester community. In addition, they will be critical in identifying resources and contacts that can lead to successful outcomes.

Carole Shulman Board Vice President

Carole Shulman is a U.S. Figure Skating triple Gold Medalist, Master-rated Coach and rating examiner in 7 disciplines of skating. She was the only woman to serve on the Congress to Build a Better Rochester committed to raising funds and designing the Rochester Recreation Center.

She is a Past President of the Rochester Arts Council, past Board member of the Rochester Amateur Sports Commission and Executive Director of Professional Skaters Association (1984-2006). She was a catalyst in establishing the Professional Skaters Association Headquarters in Rochester. A former Editor of the Professional Skater Magazine and author of The Complete Book of Figure Skating, she is currently a consultant and guest coach to the Rochester Figure Skating Club.

Chris Terry Board President

Chris Terry is a business and financial executive involved in real estate and business operations in Rochester, Minnesota, and the Upper Midwest. Chris has expertise in establishing high performing business teams, developing customers and markets, and directing business operations. Chris is continually active in the community having served on a number of community organizations boards including Boys & Girls Club of Rochester, Rochester Area Builders Association, Rochester MN Sports, and Commercial Builders Council, to name a few.

Chris has a BA degree in Business Management from Luther College. Chris is a native of Thornton, Iowa. He and his wife, Stacey, have two children. Chris and his family have been involved in sports (football, basketball, volleyball) at the youth through collegiate levels.

Joe Powers Board Secretary

Joseph Powers was born and raised in Rochester, MN -  being the 4th generation Powers in Rochester.

Joe worked in several restaurants in the community, lastly being Lebristro’s French Café, where he became a Chef, which then prompted him to own his own restaurant; he succeeded in doing this at the age of 21.

President of Powers Ventures LLC ; The Canadian Honker Restaurant, Pinnacle and Canadian Honker Catering, Rochester International Event Center, Top Tier Delights, Mayowood Stone Barn, and J. Powers at the Hilton.

Joes passion in the community is working with non-profits. His biggest blessing in life are his three children and 5 grandchildren.

Douglas J. Holtan Board TREASURER

Doug Holtan is the Chair of the Department of Facilities and Support Services at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and is developing an Enterprise wide Facilities organization.

Doug has a BS degree from Mankato State University and a MBA degree from the University of Minnesota. Doug is a native of Rochester, Minnesota. He and his wife, Betsie, have nine children. Their children have been very involved in sports (hockey, golf, volleyball,) at the youth level through college levels.

Rebecca (Becca) Tesch ROCHESTER SPORTS LIAISON

Becca Tesch represents Avra Hospitality, a Rochester based hospitality management company focused on creating world-class guest experiences. Becca’s contribution consists of generating revenue, specializing in the unique needs of the sports and entertainment market. Her years of experience, as well as her ability to strategically develop relationships, has continued to result in successful growth for the organization.

Becca also serves on the Rochester Sports Board and provides a variety of leadership roles to the Rochester Sports Executive Board. She was recently recognized as the Denny Hanson Rochester Sports Board Member of the Year. Becca believes in giving back to the Rochester community, through Channel One Regional Food Bank, Rochesterfest, and providing her expertise to the Mayo Foundation House and Mayowood Mansion renovations.

Becca is a native of Rochester. She and her husband, Aaron, have two boys active in Rochester youth sports.

Chad Behnken Board MEMBER

Chad Behnken owns a commercial real estate brokerage and development firm in Rochester MN as well as a Multi-family property management company.  Prior to commercial real estate, Chad enjoyed a career in Banking over the past 16 years.  Chad’s expertise in the banking and commercial real estate markets provide a vast level of expertise and network connection in the Rochester MN market.  Chad was born and raised in Rochester MN has enjoyed a high level of community involvement throughout his career previously serving for several community organizations including, Habitat for Humanity, Boys and Girls Club, Rochester Area Builders, Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Greater Rochester, and most recently the Advisory Committee for Rochester Sports Foundation to name a few.

 

Chad and his wife Amy, also a lifelong Rochester MN native, have two children that are that are currently heavily involved in sports (softball, soccer), which has created a passion for being part of the Rochester Sports Foundation. 

 

Pat Sexton Board Member

Highlights of Pat’s work history include his position as government affairs director for SE MN Realtors, manager of public policy and government affairs with Allina Hospitals and Clinics, director of legislative affairs with the Minnesota Department of Commerce, legislative liaison, policy development assistant and communications coordinator for the office of  former governor, Arne Carlson. After graduating from high school in Edina, MN, Pat completed his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a B.A. in Political Science and International Relations.  He joins the RSF board with a motivation to see an arena/concert/entertainment venue created in Rochester.  “We must keep moving toward our goal,”
 

Kelly Morse Nowicki Board Member

Kelly Morse Nowicki is Administrator for Food, Nutrition and Dining Services for Mayo Clinic nationally and supports hospital operations at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

She has a BA degree from Gustavus Adophus College in comparative religion and international business and a MA degree from the University of Chicago in business and clinical ethics. Kelly was born and raised in Rochester, Minnesota. Upon returning to Rochester, Kelly was the CEO for the Girl Scout Council for 5 years before joining Mayo Clinic.  In that role she was passionate about youth programming, community engagement and development. 

Kelly's lifelong passion is youth soccer.  She started playing that when soccer was first starting in Rochester with Fuad Monsour.  She went on to play in college and continued her passion with coaching wherever she has lived she even started a soccer programming in Girl Scouts for communities who didn't have access to soccer for girls.  

Most recently, Kelly was President of the Rush Soccer Club (formerly known as RYSA) headquartered in Rochester.  Under her leadership, the club merged with Euro Soccer, Winona, and Albert Lea soccer clubs, purchased and doubled size of indoor soccer facility.  

Advisory Committee

BEN BOLDT
CYLE ERIE
STEVE STRICKLAND
SHJON PODEIN
SHEILA KISCADEN
JOHN MCGUINE
SHAUN PALMER
MARCUS SHERELS
MARSHALL BEHRENS

Spotlight

Pat Sexton

June 26, 2023

We are pleased to announce our newest member to the RSF board, Pat Sexton. READ MORE

Grant Program

It’s Rochester Sports Foundation’s goal to support the local sports community with grants in the future. Below is the Grant information and Application:

Grant Program and Application