Don Staley

Background

About Don Staley

Staley has an accomplished record in collegiate athletics, sports tourism, DMO/CVB sectors & administration resulting in successful, service-oriented achievement in the hospitality/tourism industry. A creative & strategic planner with proven ability in sales, sports complex buildouts, relationships, and staff development. The former Division One coach @ the University of Alabama, Radford University & Sports Tourism professional, has launched Southeastern Network of Athletic Professionals; SNAP. The Lake County Florida firm will provide consulting expertise in a variety of sports & hospitality areas including sports facility analysis; feasibility studies; executive searches; organizational assessments; sales & marketing; major event management & music entertainment planning; student-athlete services (Title 9, NIL, transfer portal) support; small college conference championship venue solicitation and sponsorship negotiations. Staley says, “It’s my goal to give back to the industry to which I have dedicated 40 years of my life by providing innovative solutions to destination marketing organizations, sports commissions, sporting venues & facilities, municipalities and student-athletes to help achieve economic impact and personal goals.” Staley’s career has been marked by success in the athletic arena as well as sports tourism industry. His 23-year career record of 324-257-38 as a coach was good enough to garner four “Coach of the Year” awards in two different leagues at the Division 1 collegiate level. In 2004, he became only the fifth coach in NCAA soccer history to reach the 300-win mark. In 1996 he also served on the 1996 Birmingham Olympic Committee and has a wide range of experience supervising athletics events and championships, including the SEC and the NCAA, acting as overseer of budgets, facilities, and personnel administration. As a tourism professional, Staley’s dedicated efforts to the industry were recognized by his peers as the National Association of Sports Commissions (NASC) named him “Sports Tourism Executive of the Year” at their 2015 annual symposium. Said former NASC chairman and Florida Sports Hall of Fame member, Rick Hatcher, “Don Staley is one of the best in the industry.” Staley’s career highlights after becoming President/CEO of Tuscaloosa Tourism & Sports in 2017 included curating the 56 band 2-day Druid City Music Festival in 2019, being named to the Alabama & Tuscaloosa bicentennial leadership committees, and being recognized by the Alabama State Senate twice for his leadership and promotional skills supporting Alabama.