Uncategorized COACHELLA SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT STADIUM AUTHORITY APPOINTS BILL CLARKE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Posted on September 8, 2020 8 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Google+ Share on Reddit Share on Pinterest Share on Linkedin Share on Tumblr (CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif.) – Heralded sports and entertainment operations executive Bill Clarke – who for almost two decades was the heartbeat of the world-renowned Indian Wells Tennis Garden – has been named Director of Operations of Coachella Sports and Entertainment Stadium Authority, CSESA Chief Executive Officer J David Miller announced. Clarke, 64, brings nearly four decades of industry experience to CSESA and its planned 588-acre development, The Shield at 1 Coyote Way. He is also expected to have a significant influence on The SoCal Coyotes non-profit leadership organization, and Developmental Football International (DFI), CSESA partners and subsidiaries. An assertive, enthusiastic and detail-oriented sports and entertainment professional, Clarke offers extensive knowledge in facility, site and event operations, with unparalleled work ethic. Under the operations leadership of Bill Clarke, the annual economic impact of the BNP Paribas tennis tournament rocketed to more than $400 million “Bill Clarke is the Herschel Walker of stadium operations,” Miller said. “Overnight, he multiplies our franchise value. This is a man with unimpeachable character and a wealth of wisdom. We’re not shy in our belief that our addition of Bill Clarke makes CSESA, and The Shield at 1 Coyote Way, a world-class contender.” A native of San Francisco, Clarke’s reputation – both national, and international – is synonymous with the meteoric rise of the Indian Wells Tennis Garden (IWTG) on the world stage. “CSESA and the (non-profit) SoCal Coyotes organization have provided me the opportunity to work with an unbelievable, dedicated, hard-working team, who hold strong to their faith in God, family, and our remarkably diverse community,” Clarke said. At the Tennis Garden, Clarke was responsible for the day-to-day operation of a 120+ acre outdoor tennis facility, composed of two stadiums with capacities of 325,000 sq. ft. (16,100 seats) and 185,000 sq. ft. (8,000 seats), 27 club/tournament tennis courts, and the surrounding developed property. Clarke managed three annual budgets, combining to over $13 million. He worked through IWTG owner Larry Ellison’s representative to oversee new construction and renovations of multiple stadiums and site-wide improvements over an 18-year period. Clarke played an essential role in bringing the NBA to the Coachella Valley Widely recognized for his buttoned-up coordination of staff and event logistics for the BNP Paribas Open, Clarke managed the fifth-largest professional (men’s and women’s) tennis tournament in the world, which annually averaged nearly a half-million attendees. “Bill is a visionary leader, who possesses the passion, knowledge and work ethic that our winning culture demands,” said Miller. “The Shield at 1 Coyote Way is arguably the most ambitious project in Coachella Valley history, and requires a steady hand on the helm from a leader like Bill.” Clarke facilitated an array of special events at the Tennis Garden, such as NBA preseason games and numerous live concerts, including Tom Petty, Pavarotti, The Eagles and more. His prior stops included six years as Box Office Manager for PM Sports Management, and 10 years over two stops with Landmark Land Company. Clarke earned an administration degree at California State University at Chico in 1983. Happily married to bride Suzanne for 33 years, they are proud parents of five adult children, and three grandchildren. “I welcome this chance to bring experience and knowledge to CSESA, the Coyotes, and The Shield,” Clarke said. “It’s my purpose to pass on these life lessons of Loyalty, Honesty and Respect – to all whom we come in contact with … just as I have taught my five children to embrace and utilize these gifts throughout their lifetimes.” Miller admitted surprise that Clarke was even available. “A one-eyed sloth could recognize the enormous value Bill brought to the Tennis Garden,” he added. “We were willing to search the nation to find someone with his pedigree. “We are blessed beyond measure to be in the unique position to make our CSESA family the last stop in Bill Clarke’s remarkable career.” ABOUT CSESA Coachella Sports and Entertainment Stadium Authority Corp. (CSESA) marks the advent of the Coachella Valley’s first and only centrally-based campus developer for sports, medicine, events, media, sports tourism and retail. CSESA’s unparalleled vision in sports tourism, medical, entertainment, restaurant, hotel and convention offerings will make it the region’s most active live content and event campus developer in Coachella Valley history. The Shield at 1 Coyote Way will soon be the desert’s premiere destination CSESA sports and entertainment partners are dedicated to all aspects of festival, exhibition, broadcast, merchandise and special events. CSESA believes the Coachella Valley’s greatest resource is its human potential, and invests heavily in community development and youth leadership initiatives. CSESA is the master developer of The Shield at 1 Coyote Way, a 588-acre, multi-use campus that will be a 365-day-a-year destination. The Shield will include indoor and outdoor sports centers for soccer, concerts, football, lacrosse, field hockey; more than 100,000 square feet of retail, food and beverage, and other community space; more than 2,000 housing units; three hotels; 200,000 square feet of commercial office space; and over 100,000 square feet of family entertainment. ABOUT THE SOCAL COYOTES The six-time champion SoCal Coyotes are the national standard of American developmental football, and are 88-13 under Hall of Fame head coach and non-profit founder J David Miller. The Coyotes’ organization provides elite athletes a professional environment that refines and showcases their skills through trademarked processes similar to the NBA’s D-league and MLB’s minor-league systems. Additionally, the Coyotes’ 501c3 and award-winning ‘Above The Line’ leadership programs impacts the social, mental and physical growth of more than 50,000 youth annually through remedial curriculum, training camps, clinics and symposia. NFL executives have named the SoCal Coyotes organization America’s #1 Developmental Football Program™ for its national, scalable brands, community outreach programs, nine-year operational track record, verifiable data, youth curriculum, sales, public-private sector alliances, and measured results.
