Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958 or Dwight Williams (212) 788-2972
"The appointment of Mitchell Modell as chair of the Sports Commission is great news for all New Yorkers, but in particular for our City's young people," said Mayor Giuliani. "The Modell family has been a long time supporter of athletics in New York City. Under Mitchell's leadership, the Commission will continue its mission of offering to the citizens of this City the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of athletic endeavors. In the next few years, the Sports Commission will benefit greatly from Mitchell's business skills."
"As a fourth generation New Yorker in the retail business, I am proud to represent my family and their heritage by giving back to New York, a city which we love and has given us so much over the last 107 years," said Mr. Modell. "I will work hard to assist the New York City Sports Commission in fulfilling Mayor Giuliani's initiative of providing New Yorkers with sports programming and events which promote a healthy, active lifestyle and a positive state of mind."
Born in Brooklyn, Mitchell Modell is currently the president of Modell's Sporting Goods, a chain of 68 retail stores. Mr. Modell is on the Board of Directors of the International Mass Retail Association, a member of the Young Presidents Organization and a member of the Sports Trend Association. He graduated from Boston University in 1976 with a degree in Business Administration.
The New York City Sports Commission, founded in 1986, sponsors a variety of amateur athletic events in the five boroughs. The Commission's signature events are the Mayor's Cup Tournaments, including the 1996 Mayor's Cup Basketball Tournament from August 11 to August 18, the 1996 Mayor's Cup Softball Tournament from September 21 to September 28 and the Mayor's Cup Soccer Tournament (Youth Divisions) from August 31 to September 2.