Dr. Nancy Rohland-Heinrich. (Photo courtesy of Rick Schloss Communications)
The Sports San Diego Board of Directors has elected Dr. Nancy Rohland-Heinrich as president of the nonprofit for 2025, succeeding Jackie Reed.
Formerly known as the San Diego Bowl Game Association, Sports San Diego has produced the annual Holiday Bowl college football game since 1978. In 2022, the organization embarked on a major phase of growth by integrating the region’s sports commission.
The momentum continued in 2023 with the launch of the Rady Children’s Invitational men’s college basketball tournament and the addition of the California State Games under Sports San Diego’s management.
“Sports San Diego is expanding our scope of work for the San Diego region, which will result in considerably larger impacts for our community,” Rohland said. “I look forward to working side by side with a great group of civic-minded San Diegans and making a difference for our community through sports.”
Rohland-Heinrich has been with National University for more than 45 years and currently serves as Executive Vice President of Community Engagement.
She is also active in the community, serving on numerous non-profit boards, and earned the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award from the SD Business Journal. She earned her Ed.D. from UC San Diego.
The mission of Sports San Diego, a non-profit 501c3 organization, is to generate tourism, visibility, and economic impact for the San Diego region by producing the Rady Children’s Invitational, Holiday Bowl, California State Games, and recruiting sports events and experiences to San Diego. Since 1978, the association has generated more than $1 billion in economic benefits for the San Diego region.
Additional officers elected for 2025 include:
· Roger Dougherty, President-Elect
· Steve Martin, Treasurer
· Shelley Zimmerman, Secretary
· Jackie Reed, Immediate Past President