Rock Hill’s success in luring sporting events has prompted the creation of a panel that will work with individuals and organizations to help the city become the best sports tourism destination in the southeast.
The nine-member all-volunteer Rock Hill Sports Commission is chaired by local lawyer and former city councilman John Gettys, who says Rock Hill had a similar organization about 20 years ago.
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Gettys says the panel will also promote the construction of new facilities and the improvement of existing facilities.
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Gettys says ultimately the sports commission hopes to enhance Rock Hill’s economy through first-class sporting events.
He says that would include encouraging bonds to be issued to construct new facilities and improve existing facilities.
Among the panel’s members:
- Bill Beaty, Comporium Communications
- Kathy Bigham, Winthrop Board of Trustees Vice-Chair
- Anthony DiGiorgio, Winthrop University President (vice-chair)
- Doug Echols, Rock Hill Mayor
- Fred Faircloth, Coca-Cola Bottling Company President (treasurer)
- John Gettys (chair)
- Manning Kimmel, Managing Partner of Our Three Sons Broadcasting, WRHI’s parent company
- Warren Norman, the Warren Norman Company
- York County Councilman Bump Roddey (secretary)


