HOUSTON – Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner will receive the first ever “Lifetime Civic Champion Award” for his work in expanding the impact of sports in the city over his eight years in office.
Turner will be recognized for his accomplishments at the 2024 Houston Sports Awards, which is hosted every year by the Harris County – Houston Sports Authority.
“Mayor Turner has worked tirelessly on many fronts and been invaluable to the Harris County – Houston Sports Authority to help market the region as the best place on the globe to host sporting events,” says Janis Burke, CEO of the Harris County – Houston Sports Authority. “He has been by our organization’s side for every win and has left a lasting sports legacy that will always be remembered.”
During his time in office, the City of Houston has hosted more major sporting events than any other major city in the United States.
Under Turner, the city hosted Super Bowl 51 in 2017, NCAA Men’s Final Four in both 2016 and 2023, 4 World Series, multiple national and international sports competitions, and towards the end of his term, the city was able to secure the College Football Playoff Championship Game which will be played on January 8, 2024, at NRG Stadium.
Houston was also chosen as one of the 11 U.S. cities to host matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Today’s announcement was made in conjunction with the 2023 Houston Sports Hall of Fame Day, where Bruce Matthews, Elvin Hayes, and Calvin Murphy all received their Hall of Fame rings and had their plaques unveiled on the Walk of Fame at the GreenStreet Promenade.
“Houston is our home,” said Sylvester Turner, Houston Mayor, who was joined at the announcement alongside members of the HCHSA Board of Directors and Houston City Council. “These men helped us put our city on the map and make us a winning city, for all the sports events that have and continue to come to the city speaks to a collective effort. I’m honored to have been Houston mayor for the last eight years.”
In addition to the events listed above, Turner has also had a hand in bringing to town NCAA National Golf Championships, World Corporate Games, World Table Tennis Championships, AAU Junior Olympic Games, World Transplant Games, Olympic Qualifying, Copa America matches, and multiple Gold Cup soccer events.
Turner, a native Houstonian and graduate of the University of Houston started his political career when he was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 1988. He served in the Texas House until 2014 before running for mayor of his hometown, a position which he has held for the past 8 years.
A date and time for the 2024 Houston Sports Awards will be announced at a later date.
