San Antonio Sports President & CEO Russ Bookbinder to Step Down

After 10 years at the helm of San Antonio Sports, President and Chief Executive Officer Russ Bookbinder will step down at the end of the year so that he and his wife can be closer to family in Waco.

San Antonio Sports has expanded its signature youth programto serve thousands of children in 58 Title I schools in five school districts; hosted major events including the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Final Four in 2018 and 2021, respectively; navigated the organization through two years of a pandemic and launched Fiesta FitFest, a three-day event focused on fitness.

“I inherited a high performing organization from Susan Blackwood in 2013,” said Bookbinder. “The board and staff truly believe in and live by the mission of transforming our community through the power of sport. I’m grateful to them and to the many donors, business partners, school districts, volunteers, city and county officials that have helped us to transform the health and well-being of San Antonio by providing events and programs that have made a positive impact.”

Jonathan Owens, chairman of the nonprofit’s board of directors, announced that a search committee is being formed to name a replacement. San Antonio Sports, founded in 1984, has generated an estimated economic impact of more than $900 million.

“Russ has been a tremendous asset to our organization and we appreciate his years of dedicated service,” said Owens. “We wish Russ and his family the best as he transitions into his next chapter.”