Marc Schreiber, president of the St. Louis Sports Commission, has been busy planning upcoming events, including the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team’s April 8 match with the Republic of Ireland at CITYPARK. The commission helps attract major sporting events to the St. Louis region and uses sports to deliver economic and social benefits. Schreiber, 48, and a member of Congregation Shaare Emeth, recently shared his thoughts with the Jewish Light about the power of sports.

Do you have any own any cherished items of sports memorabilia? 

I have an autographed glove that says, “To Marc—Stan Musial.” My father, who is very involved civically in St. Louis, had occasion to interact with Stan, who gave the glove to my dad to give to me. For many reasons, that’s tremendously meaningful.

How about a special sports brush with fame?

I grew up wanting to be Bob Costas and go into sports broadcasting. He was my hero. For my bar mitzvah, my parents won at an auction the chance to have dinner with Bob Costas. My dad and I got to be in the KMOX broadcast booth with Bob when he was filling in doing play by play for a Cardinals home game. That was a complete thrill.

Why, in your opinion, is sports such a unifier, particularly in St. Louis?

It gives us a common bond. We’re all Cardinal fans. We’re all Blues fans. It’s something that can easily unite this community, and it gives us something positive to be behind.

In 2018, you were inducted into the St. Louis Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. What did that mean to you?

It was a huge honor to recognize my involvement in the St. Louis sports community and my work on the Musial Awards, something I’m really appreciative of and grateful for.

Do you recall a point growing up when you gained a love of sports? 

The defining moment was the ‘82 World Series. Seeing the Cardinals win a World Championship when I was seven, that had me hooked on baseball, hooked on sports, hooked on St. Louis. So from there, the rest is history.