Blackwell returning to Jackson and MSHOF
Posted on: April 06,2015
Bill Blackwell, for 12 years the highly successful general manager of the Jackson Mets and Jackson Generals, is returning to Jackson as chief operations officer of the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum.
Blackwell spent 33 years in professional baseball, 25 as a general manager. For the last four years he has been the Business Development Manager at Gwinnett Arena in in suburban Atlanta.
Blackwell
“We are so excited and fortunate that Bill Blackwell is returning to Jackson, right across the parking lot from Smith-Wills Stadium where he enjoyed so much success,” said Rick Cleveland, executive director of the MSHoF. “His skills are uniquely suited to help us continue to grow and improve this Mississippi treasure. Bill will be in charge of the day-to-day operations of our museum.”
Blackwell was four times the Executive of the Year in minor league baseball, including when he was the 1992 Texas League Executive of the Year in Jackson.
Said Blackwell, “The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame has grown from its early existence into something of which the entire State of Mississippi should be proud. Through the efforts and ideas of Michael Rubenstein, Rick Cleveland and the staff and board members it is truly one of the best facilities of its kind in the country.
“I feel blessed to have the opportunity to join them in telling the story of the incredible athletes this state has produced. We have challenges to provide the best way to communicate those stories, and I am sure together we can get this done.”
Blackwell was a member of the original MSHoF Board of Directors.
“Bill knows Jackson and he knows Mississippi, and he was part of the start-up of the museum,” said Ron Winford, president of the museum’s board of directors. “We believe he can help take us to a new level.”
Blackwell will begin his duties on April 13.
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