5X World C-1 Champ Jon Lugbill to Retire from Richmond’s Sports Backers

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𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟑𝟏 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞, 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬’ 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐉𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐮𝐠𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐥 a five-time C-1 Whitewater Slalom World Champion, 𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟑𝟎, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓.

Lugbill, the only slalom paddler to ever be featured on a Wheaties cereal box, made his mark in the international paddling scene from 1979-’89, when he won an unprecedented five individual C-1 World Whitewater Slalom Championships, as well as the same number of team medals. In 1993, he founded Richmond’s Sports Backers, renovating the

Read post from Sports Backers below:

“Jon’s tenure has been nothing short of transformative for our organization. Since he took the helm in 1993, Sports Backers has experienced tremendous growth, with much of our success attributable to his visionary leadership.

Under Jon’s guidance, our events and programs have earned numerous local and national accolades, including four “Best Sports Commission in the Country” awards from the Sports Events and Tourism Association. Beyond these recognitions, Jon has cultivated a truly exceptional workplace culture. His passion for active living and commitment to enhancing our community have been central to shaping Sports Backers into the vibrant organization it is today.

jon lugbill
Jon Lugbill, gracing the cover of “Sports Illustrated for Kids” in 1990.

As we prepare for this transition, Sports Backers will be conducting a national search for Jon’s successor. We will share more details about this process in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, Jon is looking forward to spending more quality time with his family and pursuing new adventures, including a potential trip to paddle down the Grand Canyon.

Please join us in celebrating Jon’s remarkable career and wishing him all the best in this exciting new chapter of his life..”

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