J. Talty O’Connor, founder and publisher of SportsEvents Magazine and president of Covey Communications Corp., has been named to the Board of Directors for the National Council of Youth Sports.
“I am honored and thrilled to be selected to join the board of this prestigious and vital organization,” O’Connor said. “With a membership that serves 60 million registered participants, the National Council of Youth Sports (NCYS) is the largest organization in America representing the youth sports industry. I look forward to contributing in as many was as possible.”
O’Connor is a nationally recognized leader in the sports events industry. He is founder and publisher of SportsEvents magazine, the most widely read magazine in America for planners, rights holders, organizers and owners of sports competitions of all sizes and all sports. He is also creator of the annual S.P.O.R.T.S. The Relationship Conference, which brings sports event planners, rights holders and sports governing bodies together with cities from throughout the United States that want to host their events.
“I am particularly proud to serve the NCYS members because of the standards and values the organization lives by,” O’Connor said. “NCYS is certainly a proponent for youth sports participation but, more importantly to me, it is an aggressive advocate for creating safe environments, integrity and healthy lifestyles throughout youth sports.”
The NCYS members are the gatekeepers, influencers, key decision-makers and the advocates for valued youth sports participation throughout America. Other board members include executive leaders of organizations such as Pop Warner Football, the National Amateur Baseball Federation, the Amateur Athletic Union, the United States Olympic Committee, U.S. Bowling Congress and Boys & Girls Club of America.
“The National Council of Youth Sports Board of Directors serves the NCYS with extensive experience, synergy, integrity and professionalism,” said Sally Johnson, NCYS executive director. “Talty O’Connor is a man of honor and his untiring dedication and respected leadership will be an exceptional asset to the entire amateur youth sports industry.”
A passionate proponent for high-quality youth sports for all kids, O’Connor is also creator of the Play It Up Youth Sports Foundation, Inc., a not-for-profit IRS 501(c)(3) organization that raises funds to support underserved young athletes to be able to participate in youth sports activities.
O’Connor is founder and president of Covey Communications Corp., in business for 30 years and producer of magazines, trade shows, web sites and social media platforms in specialty markets. Covey’s magazines include ConventionSouth, which has been referred to as “the icon of the meetings industry in the South” and is the go-to resource for meeting planners throughout the United States who book meetings, conferences, conventions and other events held in the South. The company also publishes Crossties, a railroad industry magazine and Condo Owner, a publication for resort-area condominium owners.
