E23: Arizona Athletic Grounds with Meg Stevens
On this week's City Limitless® podcast, we had an incredible opportunity to take a deep dive into the world of Arizona Athletic Grounds (AAG), joined by its dynamic leader, President Meg Stevens. Her journey to leading one of the nation's premier sports and entertainment complexes is as inspiring as the sprawling facility itself. Meg's deep-rooted passion for sports, forged through a lifetime of competition and leadership, is now driving AAG towards an ambitious future, poised to become a true beacon for athletes and enthusiasts alike.
Before delving into all things AAG, Meg shared insights into her upbringing and profound connection to sports.
As an only child, sports became her ultimate outlet, transforming into a three-sport athlete before narrowing her focus in college. At Suny Cortland, she truly excelled in both college soccer and lacrosse, where she discovered her true calling in athletic leadership. Early involvement in college coaching, along with roles on the NCAA's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and Committee on Women's Athletics, exposed her to top female leaders in collegiate sports. This invaluable experience profoundly shaped her disciplined, team-oriented mindset. She learned the critical importance of ensuring every team member has exactly what they need to thrive—a philosophy now central to her work at AAG.
So, what exactly brought this seasoned athletic leader to Mesa, Arizona? The opportunity at Arizona Athletic Grounds was, without a doubt, particularly appealing due to its immense potential. AAG, a sprawling 280-acre world-class facility truly stands out for its sheer scale and incredibly diverse offerings. We're talking about a venue capable of hosting everything from vibrant youth leagues to potentially Olympic-caliber competitions, a fact underscored by events like the upcoming USA Basketball 3X Nationals. The prospect of shaping such a significant venue into a beacon of athletic excellence was a powerful draw for Meg and her family.
However, AAG, like any large-scale venture, has faced its share of challenges and stigmas. Meg is keenly aware of these, and she's actively working to improve perceptions head-on. Her approach is firmly rooted in transparency, consistent communication and a strong commitment to delivering on promises. By focusing on creating a truly welcoming and inclusive environment for all visitors and participants and consistently showcasing the high-quality events and experiences AAG offers, she aims to reframe the narrative and highlight the true spirit of the grounds.
When we asked about specific challenges, Meg acknowledged that building a facility of this magnitude and establishing its reputation takes time and sustained effort. Overcoming initial hurdles often involves strategic adjustments, deep community engagement and a relentless focus on operational excellence. Her plan to overcome these obstacles centers on strengthening key partnerships, continuously enhancing the visitor experience and actively listening to feedback from everyone involved. This includes leveraging the strong collaboration with Visit Mesa, which plays a pivotal role in attracting high-profile events and ultimately driving visitors right here to our city.
When looking ahead, Meg's vision for AAG is nothing short of transformative. She envisions a facility that not only excels in hosting major sporting events but also becomes an integral part of the wider community. Imagine comprehensive sports performance facilities, state-of-the-art fitness centers and potentially even recovery clinics and medical offices, all within AAG. This holistic approach aims to make AAG a complete ecosystem for athletes and sports enthusiasts alike, further solidifying Mesa's reputation as a premier sports destination. Meg isn't just leading a sports complex; she's building a legacy of opportunity, excellence and profound community engagement right here at Arizona Athletic Grounds.
After our insightful chat with President Meg Stevens, it's clear that Mesa is firmly establishing itself as a world-class sports destination. Our sincere thanks to Meg for sharing her incredible vision and leadership. If you want to hear more about the exciting journey of Arizona Athletic Grounds and its future impact on the community, be sure to check out our full interview on the City Limitless® podcast for more. You won't want to miss it!