Sports Backers

Sports Backers is a non-profit organization founded in 1991. The group's mission has expanded from an economic development sports commission to its current focus on physical activity and health in the Richmond, Virginia area — creating and executing large participatory events, training teams and free group exercise classes, youth and fitness clubs.

In addition to its own programs, Sports Backers supports other organizations with more than 24 major sports tourism events in the Richmond region. The group receives annual support through marketing grants, operational assistance and loaning equipment. The group was named the Member of the Year by the National Association of Sports Commissions in 2006, 2009, 2011 and 2015. Jon Lugbill has been the organization's executive director since 1993.

The group advocates for bike and pedestrian infrastructure, including the Fall Line Trail, an approximately 43.6 mile multi-use trail currently (2024) under development — from a northern terminus in Ashland, Virginia to a southern terminus in Petersburg, Virginia.

As of late 2024, the group is renovating a building and property at 4921 Lakeside Avenue, Richmond — near Richmond's historic Spring Park, site of slave Gabriel's Rebellion of 1800. The former Bank of America branch bank will house Sport Backer's offices and programs and will become a trailhead for the Fall Line Trail, with parking and restrooms.

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