General Manager’s Column

Iwant to thank all our Members who supported the annual MAC Sports Foundation Golf Tournament in late August. The event was a sellout and a fun day of camaraderie on the links, but it was so much more. The tournament helped kick off a potentially very impactful initiative in our community. Through the event’s success, the MAC Sports Foundation has pledged a $50,000 donation to help fund the installation of a new wood gymnasium floor at the Youth and Family Center (YFC) – fantastic! The YFC is located right here in our neighborhood, less than a mile north of the Downtown Clubhouse at the intersection of Ninth and Cass.

When I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. LaChrisa Crenshaw, YFC Executive Director, I was amazed by the dedication of her team and the spirit of their organization. Founded in 1888, the Youth and Family Center supports residents of St. Louis to help them achieve their full potential. Their programs educate, advocate, build job skills and support healthy living across generations. As community stabilizers, they strive to meet evolving community needs.

I found several other similarities between our two organizations. Both have long, rich histories dating back more than a century, promote active and healthy lifestyles and are driven by preserving a strong sense of community.

The one big difference between our two organizations is access to resources. It’s clear that Dr. Crenshaw and her team are working hard to make some significant improvements to their facility, but there are great needs. The most evident of these needs is the state of the gymnasium floor. It is a multi-functional and recreational space used by all ages. However, the floor is falling apart and isn’t safe for regular use.

During a recent visit to the YFC, I was greeted by many kids with smiling faces playing basketball after school. Unfortunately, the condition of the floor limits what programs the staff can offer them. I talked to legendary local basketball coach Floyd Irons, who serves as the Youth Sports Coordinator at the YFC. Coach Irons said a new gym floor would allow them to expand the number of recreational activities they can provide, including a basketball league.

The MAC Sports Foundation’s charitable and educational mission is to encourage and recognize outstanding achievements in the field of sports and athletics, so it seemed like a natural fit for the Foundation to lend a helping hand as the YFC works toward launching its own basketball program. While the efforts at the Golf Tournament helped jump-start this initiative, work remains. In October and November, the MAC Sports Foundation is leading a campaign to raise another $100,000 to make the new YFC gymnasium floor a reality.

It’s no secret that downtown St. Louis has faced its share of challenges in recent years, and this one project won’t miraculously solve everything. The challenges can seem overwhelming, but if we start making improvements one block at a time, the goal of making a lasting, meaningful impact in our neighborhood is attainable. The success of this project can serve as a model for more projects and partnerships among downtown groups. The entire community can pull together and make a very powerful change in the lives of the residents of our neighborhood.

We are asking our Members, along with our Members’ corporate partners, to team up to reach our goal. On page 16, you can read more about the MAC Sports Foundation’s initiative with the YFC. To learn how you can help and make a contribution, please visit mac-sportsfoundation.org.

See you at the Club!

Wally Smith, General Manager Missouri Athletic Club

NILO’s Legendary Labrador Retriever, King Buck

In 1952, John M. Olin took more than 650 acres of farmland joined by timber and turned it into a wildlife oasis. He called it NILO, dedicating the land to unsurpassed hunting, sport shooting, gun dogs and conservation education.

NILO is a Winchester hunting and shooting ♦ Home Cooked Meals ♦ Professional Guides & Sporting dogs facility and considered one of the most iconic destinations in the country. From the nest upland hunting to a wide mix of clay-target shooting, NILO is loaded with tradition and a commitment to providing a rst-class experience. About nilo ♦ 650+ Acres ♦ Located in Brighton, IL ♦ Customize Your Hunt or Shoot ♦ Ammunition & Firearms Provided ♦ Clay Target Shooting Instruction

TO BOOK A HUNT OR SHOOTING EXPERIENCE VISIT