DOUG GROTE

Rocky Top Sports World

General Manager

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Doug’s experience in the Recreation and Leisure Industry expands over 30 years. As a teenager, Doug spent time leading sports clinics/camps in small towns across Ohio, Indiana and Michigan. Throughout

college and post grad education, he traveled leading sports and recreation at youth camps, which helped fund his education. Following his graduate work, he was a Recreation Minister, where he helped to complete construction of a recreation center. The Cool Spring Rec Center grew rapidly in reach and served over 2000 young athletes yearly while also offering programing/fitness/leisure activities up through senior adults. After his time at Cool Spring, Doug worked at Upward Sports for 15 years, starting as National Account Director and moving into the role as General Manager of the Upward Star Center when construction began in 2013. Doug contributed in construction of the 26 acre 120,000 sq. ft. building and built the team that would grow the multi-sports center to a multi-million per year endeavor that served

toddlers through adults with recreational, aspirational and competitive sports. Presently, Doug is the General Manager of Rocky Top Sports World in Gatlinburg, TN. The team at Rocky Top has built a sports tourism juggernaut that produces over $70 million per year in economic impact and continues to look for ways to grow.

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Doug is married to Dianna for 29 years and has two boys - Dayton, who is in college, and Declan who is a senior in high school. The family also consists of Luci (dog) and Shadow (cat). The family loves to spend time together, and their favorite vacation spot is anywhere that is hot and touristy!