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)