World Sport Chicago names Kam Buckner as executive director

World Sport Chicago today announced the hiring of Kam Buckner as the organization’s executive director. Buckner joins WSC from the Chicago Cubs, where he served as manager of government and neighborhood relations. In that position, he managed the ball club’s relationships with elected officials and community groups and served as an integral part of the team that helped negotiate the restoration and expansion of historic Wrigley Field.

Buckner joined WSC on Jan. 1, 2015.

"I am honored to take this role with World Sport Chicago and look forward to expanding the opportunities for Chicago youth to benefit from the power of sport," said Buckner. "The staff and board of directors have created a truly unique organization to support the vitality of young people in Chicago. They have set the bar high and I am committed to ensuring that World Sport Chicago continues to serve the youth of Chicago in a positive way for years to come."

Buckner will assume the responsibilities of outgoing executive director Scott Myers, including overseeing successful community programs such as BAM-Sports, the PLAYS summer track program, PlayStreets and the Valor Games. Each program focuses on using sport as a social and emotional development tool for those from underserved communities.

"Under the leadership of Scott Myers, WSC has touched the lives of more than 20,000 Chicago-area youth. From helping strengthen the social and emotional skills of youth to providing greater opportunity to youth and veterans with physical disabilities to helping disadvantaged young men and women realize their dreams of attending college, Scott has been directly responsible for driving positive impact across our city," said WSC Chairman Pat Ryan. "Scott will be missed, but we wish him all the best in retirement. While we are sad to lose him, we are excited to have found Kam Buckner – a leader who will enable the organization to continue to grow the positive impact on Chicago youth."

"Kam has been a tremendous asset to the Chicago Cubs, helping the team maintain positive relationships with neighborhood, business and community leaders around Wrigley Field and throughout the city. We are proud to see him lead World Sport Chicago and continue his commitment to invest in and improve the lives of those across our city. His dedication to local communities and the people of Chicago will no doubt help contribute to a strong, healthy and bright future for our children, families and neighborhoods," said Mike Lufrano, executive vice president of community affairs and chief legal officer for the Chicago Cubs.

Buckner previously served as a deputy to New Orleans Mayor Mitchell J. Landrieu, liaising between the executive office and a number of city agencies and departments, including the New Orleans Health Department and the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission. He also worked closely with the city’s sports tourism agencies on large-scale events such as Super Bowl XLVII.

Prior to that, Buckner served on the staff of U.S. Sen. Richard J. Durbin, handling community and elected official outreach and managing relationships with a number of federal executive departments.

Buckner received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois, where he was a member of the Fighting Illini football team, and a Juris Doctor from DePaul University College of Law. He also spent time studying abroad at the Beijing Foreign Studies University and Universidad Catolica Argentina.

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