Duane Roth not only believed in our sports innovation community, he was a visionary who saw the potential and the game changers coming out of our industry. He wanted to make sure these people, ideas, products, etc. were “discovered.”
Here is the notice that SDSI circulated to its members after Duane’s passing:
SDSI and the Southern California sports community lost one of its great champions on August 3, 2013 when Duane Roth, CEO of CONNECT, passed away due to complications from injuries suffered in a cycling accident. Duane was 63 years old.
Duane’s genuine love for San Diego and vision for the region’s future has been instrumental to San Diego’s growth. While Duane was known largely for his success and dedication in the life science and technology industries, his influence was vast. Duane impacted industries unaware of by many including that of sports innovation.
Six years ago, four local sports businessmen approached Duane with the idea of creating an organization to support the growing number of sports companies and activities that called San Diego home. What many may have seen as a nonstarter, Duane immediately recognized as an opportunity to cultivate and grow San Diego as the hub of sports innovation. He fully embraced the vision, and together with Marco Thompson, Jim Stroesser, Dana Shertz and Ludo Boinnard, Duane created an organization that today is called SD Sport Innovators (SDSI).
“Duane saw the opportunity to add value to the sports and fitness community and opened CONNECT’s door to an entirely new segment of the business industry. He was instrumental in bringing together Bill Walton and many of the key sports industry players, to promote innovation in the sports industry. Duane will continue to be the inspirational light behind the entire San Diego business industry and will be forever remembered as a pioneer and innovator in the world of sports.
~Jim Stroessor, SDSI Founding Member
Under Duane’s supervision, SDSI has established itself as a broad reaching networking and trade organization working to integrate multiple sport disciplines and grow the overall economy. Duane fostered that growth creating an Advisory Board of Southern California sports business influencers, recruiting NBA Hall of Famer, Bill Walton, to lead the group as Executive Chairman, and hiring a strong staff to manage the day-to-day operations, development and network.
“With the tempest now reaching our own doorstep, it is time for all of us to do what Duane did best—shine the light. Duane was as an important, influential and inspirational person as anyone I have ever encountered in my life. I have been touched by many special and unique spirits in my life, far too many who have already passed on— my own Dad, John Wooden, Chick Hearn, Jerry Garcia, Maurice Lucas, David Halberstam, and now my great friend, teacher, mentor and soulmate, Duane Roth. Duane had a remarkable ability to mix theory and reality. He was always ready, willing and able to move us forward, no matter the obstacles, getting us to whatever was next, as quickly as possible. He chased his dream, he lived his dream, and he made other people’s dreams come true—by making us, happy and successful.
Duane loved life. He loved his family, his friends and his work. And he really loved his bike. All of these elements helped shape Duane. We will stand united in our gratitude, respect, admiration and appreciation for everything Duane Roth. Thank you for your sacrifice. Thank you for your focus, discipline, efficiency and execution. You showed us the way, and you cleared the path.Thank you—for EVERYTHING.”
~ Bill Walton, SDSI Executive Chairman of the Board
“When Duane brought me on at CONNECT in 2009 to run SDSI, I was thrilled, excited and clueless all at the same time. Duane took me under his wing and provided the guidance, mentoring and support structure to help build the organization to what it has become today. He was my boss, but more importantly, he was my friend and always made time for a quick conversation about anything. He believed in me and pushed me to be the businessman I am today.”
~ Garrett Hale, SDSI’s first employee
SDSI is now supported by nearly 90 member companies and has an Advisory Board made up of 36 sports business leaders from all over Southern California. The region has long been the hub of action sports, endurance and golf, as well as home to several leading traditional sports companies. There is now a huge surge in the health, wellness and digital fitness space as sports and technology begin to integrate. With these collaborative resources and the varied business leadership, new businesses are relocating to the region and contributing to Southern California’s economy.
“Duane Roth had a vision to accelerate the San Diego region as the world leader in sports and health innovation,” “He was instrumental in founding the San Diego Sport Innovators organization through CONNECT. The board, staff and members are fully committed to Duane’s legacy being carried on by SDSI. While he will be missed, he will not be forgotten.”
~ John Sarkisian, SDSI Industry Chairman of the Board
& CEO, SKLZ
One of SDSI’s greatest accomplishments to date, Springboard 2.0, derived from the program that Duane was possibly the most passionate about, CONNECT’s Springboard business mentoring program. Two years ago, Duane encouraged SDSI to create its own adaptation by cultivating an industry specific group of mentors to assist the next generation of sports innovations, entrepreneurs and businesses.
“Duane Roth was the visionary leader behind the growth of SDSI. He believed that just as San Diego is the epicenter of biotech and health sciences, it could also be the center of growth for sports technologies, with SDSI fostering and helping to develop sports start-ups and unique sports innovations. Duane was our good friend, mentor and fellow sportsman. He will be forever in our hearts and all we do at SDSI.”
~ Dana Shertz, SDSI Advisory Board, founding member
& Managing Partner, Shertz Consulting
Duane lived his own mantra “the power of the community is greater than the individual.” It’s nearly impossible to count the number of organizations Duane impacted. He had a schedule full enough to keep three people busy taking every opportunity to monitor and mentor this vast network of change. Duane thrived in this capacity and inspired others as well.
“No one could work a room of business leaders like Duane Roth. Duane was the ultimate statesmen that immediately gained the respect of everyone involved in SDSI from the inventor of the wakeboard to a leader at an accounting firm to a Hall of Fame Basketball player. When Duane spoke, people listened. I will greatly miss learning by simply watching him.”
~ Brian Enge, SDSI Advisory Board Member
& President, SKLZ
Mark Schmid, SDSI Advisory Board Member and CEO of Art Function Group, once playfully asked Duane if he ‘ever just wanted to slow down and sip a mai tai on a boat some place.’ Duane instantly replied,
“Right here, right now, we are changing the world. The companies and people around the CONNECT ecosystem are making our lives better and will impact the world in so many incredible ways that we can’t even imagine yet. If I was anywhere but here, I’d be missing that. This is a front row seat to the greatest show on earth.”
One of Duane’s greatest legacies are the ecosystems he created, with CONNECT and SDSI just two.
The sports and active lifestyle industry was fortunate to have had the attention, leadership and vision of Duane Roth. It takes a visionary to suggest and implement change, and Duane was continually striving to do just that. SDSI will proudly continue his legacy.
Often times in sports, the leader is crowned champion, but in the case of Duane Roth and sports innovation, he was not just a champion, he was also its biggest fan. Duane Roth will be deeply missed by the entire SDSI community.
