Columbus, OH (June 22, 2024)—Tonight, during the Columbus Crew match at Lower.com Field, The Columbus Foundation announced Linda Logan, CEO & President of the Greater Columbus Sports Commission, as the 2024 honoree of The Spirit of Columbus® Award. Created in 2013 in honor of Jerrie Mock, the first woman to fly solo around the world, the award celebrates those in our community who exhibit bravery, determination, and boldness through their actions.
Pictured (L-R): Dr. Frederic Bertley, President and CEO of COSI and 2023 Spirit of Columbus Award Honoree; Clark Kellogg, The Columbus Foundation’s Governing Committee Chairperson; Linda Logan, CEO and President of the Greater Columbus Sports Commission and 2024 Spirit of Columbus Award Honoree; Doug Kridler, President and CEO of The Columbus Foundation; and Gene Smith, Senior Vice President and Former Athletic Director for The Ohio State University.
Logan was selected for her dedication to community partnerships, promoting the image and spirit of the Columbus region, and inspiring future champions. Under Logan’s leadership, the Greater Columbus Sports Commission has helped bring some of the biggest events in sports to Columbus, including the U.S. Figure Skating Championship, the National Hockey League (NHL) All-Star Game and Entry Draft, the Major League Soccer (MLS) All-Star Game, the Triple-A All-Star Game, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Women’s Final Four, the President’s Cup, and more. In 2023, Columbus was named a top sports business city by the Sports Business Journal.
“Linda’s visionary leadership, collaborative spirit, and unwavering community pride have helped position Columbus as one of the premier sports destinations in the country,” said Doug Kridler, President and CEO of The Columbus Foundation.
“Without a doubt, Linda has played an instrumental role in transforming Columbus into a city of champions—all while strengthening the region’s economy and providing top-tier experiences to athletes and fans alike.”
Doug Kridler, President and CEO of The Columbus Foundation
In addition to attracting some of the biggest sporting events and athletes to Columbus, Logan has also leveraged sports to build community and help youth develop confidence and valuable life skills. In 2021, with Logan’s guidance and support, the Greater Columbus Sports Commission launched Community Youth Camp, where children ages 6 to 12 have the opportunity to learn and play more than a dozen sports alongside volunteer athletes. More than half of the children involved with Community Youth Camp participate on scholarship, ensuring young people have the opportunity to participate regardless of family income.
Since 2018, the Greater Columbus Sports Commission has organized Community Cup, an annual one-day challenge in which local companies of all sizes compete in various sporting events. The event encourages friendly competition, team building, and giving back to the community through the Charity Challenge, where teams earn points through charitable donations. The Columbus Foundation is the presenting sponsor of Community Youth Camp and Community Cup.
Logan has been the CEO of the Greater Columbus Sports Commission since its inception in 2002. Prior to that role, she served as the Director of Sports Marketing at Experience Columbus. Logan is past chair of the board of the National Association of Sports Commissions, and in 2023 was named one of the most admired executives in central Ohio by Columbus Business First.
“Linda has done so much to elevate Columbus and women through sports. Her authentic, genuine, and collaborative approach is unmatched. She’s our MVP,” said Katie Smith, former Ohio State basketball standout, WNBA player and assistant coach, and inductee into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.
As this year’s honoree, Logan will be honored on a wall installation at The Columbus Foundation, created by local creative design firm TENFOLD. She also received a “Jerrie,” a bronze miniature of the Jerrie Mock sculpture at John Glenn Columbus International Airport, created by local artist Renate Fackler.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of Mock’s historic flight around the world. Mock, a pilot and mother of three who lived in Bexley, took off from Port Columbus on March 19, 1964. After 29 days, 21 stops, and more than 23,000 miles, Mock safely landed her single-engine Cessna, named “Spirit of Columbus,” back in Columbus on April 17, 1964.
Mock was named the first recipient of The Spirit of Columbus® Award in 2013, along with Jeni Britton and David Brown. Additional honorees include the late Denny Griffith, former Mayor Michael B. Coleman, Tanny Crane, Jane Grote Abell, Michelle Alexander, 10 of Columbus’ leading Black artists and creatives (Suzan Bradford Kounta, Queen Brooks, Richard Duarte Brown, William Evans, Corey Favor, Sheri Neale, Marshall Shorts, Cristyn Steward, Carnell Willoughby, and Scott Woods), those who contributed to the Save the Crew movement, Dr. Amy Acton, the late Roshelle Pate, Joanna M. Pinkerton and the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) team, and Dr. Frederic Bertley.
About The Columbus Foundation
The Columbus Foundation, one of the top 10 community foundations in the United States, serves thousands of individuals, families, and businesses that have created unique funds and planned gifts to make a difference in the lives of others through the most effective philanthropy possible.