Jim Scherr Resigns as COO of 2015 European Games

Jim Scherr has resigned his position as chief operating officer of the 2015 European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan, to return to the United States. Scherr led the organization for nearly 12 months, overseeing the organizational structure of what will be the inaugural European Games. Scherr will be replaced by Simon Clegg, the executive director for the European Games and the former chief executive of the British Olympic Association.

“I’m in no doubt that I leave the organization in a fantastic position to deliver a successful European Games in Baku next summer,” Scherr said in a statement announcing his departure. “After another positive update at the recent Coordination Commission, I feel it is the right time to return to the United States to spend more time with my young family and resume my position as chief executive of 776 Marketing, the consulting, events and marketing company I founded.”

Scherr was chief executive officer of the U.S. Olympic Committee from 2003–2009. He founded the Colorado Springs-based 776 Original Marketing upon his departure, and later served as the first commissioner of the newly formed National Collegiate Hockey Conference before leaving to take on the position in Baku.

Patrick Hickey, president of the European Olympic Committees, said: “We are all incredibly grateful for Jim’s leadership during his time as chief operating officer of Baku 2015 European Games. His endeavor has put the Games in a position to meet the EOC’s vision to create an innovative and athlete focused Games built on a sustainable model. We wish him the best of luck for the future.”