Remembering our Founder - Peter F. Secchia
2020 has been the most challenging year by far in the history of the West Michigan Sports Commission (WMSC). Understandably, it has been a challenging year for all businesses and individuals alike due to this worldwide pandemic. What makes 2020 even more difficult for the WMSC, and I would say for our entire community, is the loss of Ambassador Peter Secchia. Grand Rapids is known for its philanthropists and business leaders whose vision and passion led public/private partnerships that have shaped our region as a beacon for growth and development. As the founder and driving force behind the development of the WMSC, Peter Secchia laid the foundation for our success. Here is what I will remember most about Peter.
Peter was a self-made man whose aptitude for politics and business plus his love of country, Grand Rapids and family (plus sports) defined him. He was a force to be reckoned with as he took on projects and looked for others to join in his quest to fulfill his mission, and he rarely if ever failed. These attributes are what drew the attention of so many to approach Peter to take on many different projects. We were fortunate that another love of Peter’s was sports, most fiercely his Green and White Spartans, but sports all the same and its impact on a community.
Peter dreamed about Grand Rapids being a Sports City from the beginning. In 2001, Grand Rapids and the Van Andel Arena hosted the Big Ten Women’s Basketball Championship. The Championship needed a home as the Big Ten found Indianapolis’ venue to be unavailable. Peter and others in the community stepped up to ensure a successful tournament in hopes of landing future Big Ten and other NCAA events; which ultimately seeded the idea of forming a sports commission, though discussions would not begin until 2006.
Peter knew how to assemble the right teams to get projects done. As with many of his projects, he pulled in other community leaders, including the public sector through the Kent County Board of Commissioners and Kent County Administration, to explore creating a sports commission. Kent County, a recipient of a lodging tax and a source of revenue to promote tourism in the county, quickly became interested and formed a subcommittee to investigate other successful sports commissions. Through the county and Peter’s influence, an initial 35-member-strong board of directors (appointed from hundreds of interested candidates from throughout the county), formed the governance of this new non-profit.
Peter was the first to poke holes at you, but also the first to fight for you. I learned about efforts to create a sports commission while I was market director of Midwest meetings and sports groups for the Kent County Convention & Visitors Bureau. I was looking for opportunities to grow in my career and saw this as a potential avenue. Before I knew it, I was one of the final two candidates for Executive Director, with a pending interview and presentation to the WMSC’s Executive Committee. At that time, I was familiar with Ambassador Secchia’s reputation as a “cut to the chase” tenacious businessman but had not had any personal interactions with him. I was asked to prepare a 20-minute presentation on what I would do in the first 90 days to ensure success, with Q&A to follow. I was confident in my plan and my knowledge of how to attract and secure sports business, but not confident in how the 15-member Executive Committee would respond – particularly Ambassador Secchia. Not two minutes in, Peter began firing questions and poking holes into my theories on how the commission should operate. I recovered well and finished my presentation and Q&A, feeling good about my performance yet uneasy about the challenges of this position. That evening, while commiserating to my wife whether this was the right pursuit, WMSC Commission Chair Dick VanderMolen called to inform me I got the job. I later learned that Peter led the charge stating, “Let’s give that young kid a chance.”
Peter was my toughest critic, but my staunchest supporter. Aside from my Dad, who instilled a sense of pride and confidence in me; Peter was one of the greatest contributors to where I’ve taken my professional career and how I’ve led this growing organization. Peter rarely missed a board meeting, despite always commenting on what a waste of time meetings were… “Nearly as bad as consultants,” he would comment.
Peter always provided his time, talent and treasure, as is expected from productive board members, however, he detested his time wasted. To his credit, he contributed much of his time to so many other organizations and boards that collectively continue to have a positive impact on our community through Peter’s guidance and support.
The West Michigan Sports Commission is closing on fourteen years with more than 870 events, 1.5 million athletes and spectators, and over $400 million in direct visitor spending. Peter always boasted about how proud he was of the work our team has done and what we’ve accomplished. He told me we exceeded his expectations; I would tell him, “We’re only getting started!”
Rest in Peace, Peter – and thanks for giving this former “young kid” a chance!
