When Peter Ueberroth speaks, people listen. Ueberroth, the chairman of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) board of directors, shared his unique insights and perspectives with students at the University of Oregon's Lundquist College of Business on Friday, October 26. And in the process, he presented the Warsaw Sports Marketing Center's namesake James H. Warsaw with an Olympic Strength sculpture--a prestigious honor bestowed on select individuals.
Ueberroth was on campus as part of the events leading up to the Olympics Trials in Eugene, June 27-July 6, 2008. The Warsaw Center invited him as the first speaker in a seminar series to promote and advance the excitement and enthusiasm around the Olympic Trials returning to Track Town USA for the first time since 1980.
During his visit, Ueberroth shared with students his perspective on the state of professional sports in the United States, his views on the traits of a good business, and the international significance of the upcoming Beijing Olympics. When presenting the Olympic Strength sculpture, he also lauded the Warsaw Center for the work it has done with the USOC, for its commitment to advancing the Olympic spirit by teaming with Fudan University to offer an executive M.B.A. program to members of the Chinese Olympic Committee, and for the quality of its alumni who have significantly advanced sports business.
"The Warsaw Sports Marketing Center is a world-class program preparing students to lead the increasingly global and complex sports business industry," said Ueberroth. "I'm excited to make the trip to the University of Oregon where amateur athletic history runs deep and passion for sport and sports business continues to put it on the map."
Joining Ueberroth in presenting the sculpture was Rick Burton, former executive director of the Warsaw Center. Burton is now the USOC's chief marketing officer. "It's great to be back at the UO and see the continued growth of the Warsaw Center," said Burton. "Knowing that there are nearly 200 sports business programs in the U.S. now following the lead of the UO program, I'm proud of my association with Jim Warsaw and a talented faculty and staff, great students, and alumni who created this category of business education."
Burton also highlighted the significance of the Olympic Strength sculpture, noting that other recent recipients of the honor include former President George H. W. Bush and International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge.
The Olympic Strength sculpture presented to Jim Warsaw is a miniature replica of the nearly forty-foot statue that greets visitors at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.