She grew up a years before public schools fielded athletic teams for girls, but that didn’t stop her from playing sports against the neighborhood guys or hanging around the football field.
Even better, Jacquie Dowdy never forgot the positive influence of athletics on young people. That was especially true in her nearly four decades working for the legendary John Q. Hammons, a hotel developer and avid sports fan who passed away in 2013.
“He used to talk about going to the Final Four and World Series and so many other sporting events. So when I took over as CEO of the company (in 2013), my goal was to keep his legacy going,” said Dowdy, who leads JQH Hotels & Resorts and directs the John Q. Hammons Foundation. “One of the things he loved was the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.”
Dowdy has shown a true love for it, too, and that’s why the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame is proud to honor her with the President’s Award. It is bestowed on someone who champions sports in the state and especially the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.
Dowdy’s honor will be bestowed during the Women’s Sports Luncheon sponsored by the Bee Payne-Stewart Foundation and sponsored by Central Bank/Central Trust, set for 11 a.m. March 28 at the University Plaza Hotel & Convention Center in Springfield.
What a tremendous role she has played. As part of JQH Hotels & Resorts since 1972 and later through the Hammons Foundation, Dowdy has been an important liaison for two of Mr. Hammons’ great creations – the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame and the PGA Web.com Tour’s Price Cutter Charity Championship presented by Dr Pepper.
You see, she handled the financing aspects as Hammons developed the Hall of Fame in 1994.
Four years earlier, Dowdy was heavily involved in what became the community’s signature golf event, the Greater Ozarks Open, part of the inaugural Ben Hogan Tour in 1990.
The event is now known as the Price Cutter tournament, which not only has been a key springboard for future PGA golfers but last fall exceeded the $14.6 million mark in gifting to Ozarks children’s charities. This July marks its 29th year.
As CEO, Dowdy has never wavered in her support of either entity. She acknowledged that the Hall of Fame’s inductions of high school coaches in particularly should inspire others to make positive impacts in young people’s lives.
“I want everyone who has excelled in sports to be recognized,” Dowdy said. “There are so many interesting stories that come of what they did.”
Dowdy is a 1961 graduate of Mount Vernon High School but didn’t get to play sanctioned sports, given the federal Title IX legislation – which forced public schools and universities to offer sports to girls and women – didn’t pass until 1972.
However, she always was around sports.
“I was the first born so I was Daddy’s little boy,’” Dowdy joked. “And I wasn’t the cheerleading type. I can remember when I was in high school, I helped my coach line the football field. Folks like that made a real impact on me.”
Dowdy went on to the Springfield Draughons Business College and soon began working for Mr. Hammons, overseeing financing.
Eventually, she helped launch the Price Cutter tournament, which is managed by the Hall of Fame.
Now, as head of the Hammons Foundation, Dowdy makes certain to attend the PCCC’s annual Celebration of Sharing in order to thank charity directors for their tireless work.
“I’ve always been a big admirer of the tournament because, one of the things Mr. Hammons did so well was to be a philanthropist,” Dowdy said. “When you see the charities getting the money to go on, it just makes me happy.”
She added, “That’s what it’s all about in this world. Who can you help? We get caught up in business and making money, but it’s what you do to make other lives’ better.”
Dowdy has served as director and an officer of numerous charitable organizations, including the John Q. Hammons Foundation and the Regional Girls’ Shelter. She is a former president of a chapter of the American Business Women’s Association, the Missouri State University Foundation, the Soroptimists International of Springfield and the Ozarks Regional YMCA. She also serves on the board for WIND FM and the Victory Mission, plus Project H.O.P.E. She also directed JQH to partner with Convoy of Hope.
Best of all, she raised a family with husband David. They are parents to Julie Ann Alba, David Scott Dowdy and Jennifer Lynn Clendenning. They also have eight grandchildren.
“It’s been more than rewarding,” Dowdy said of her career. “Any time you can help someone, it means as much to you as is does to them.”
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Women’s Sports Luncheon sponsored by Bee Payne-Stewart Foundation & presented by Central Bank/Central Trust
When: 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 28
Where: University Plaza Hotel & Convention Center, Springfield
President’s Award: Jacquie Dowdy, CEO of JQH Hotels & Resorts
Inductees: Diamond High School Volleyball Program, Central High School & Drury University swimmer Michelle Langsford Dickemann, Eldon High School & Camdenton High School volleyball coach Ann Gulshen, Missouri State Lady Bears assistant coach Lynnette Robinson, Missouri Southern State University Women’s Track & Field and Cross Country coach Patty Vavra, MSSU Women’s Track & Field and Cross Country Programs.
Wynn Awards: Shelley Seider Davis (Rich Hill High School/Pittsburg State University), swimmer Brianne McGuirk Madura (Missouri State University), The Opfer Sisters (Lorin Fiehler, Alix and Kasey) of Glendale High School Soccer, track and field’s Brenda Hayes Raynor (Branson High School/Missouri State University), track and field’s Trudi Spain (Missouri State University), three-sport athlete Dana Ozbun Stillwagon (Doniphan High School/Southwest Baptist University) and volleyball’s Bri Walsh (Clever High School/MSU-West Plains/Evangel University).
Tickets: Sponsorship tables of eight are $400. A head table ticket is $100. An individual ticket in advance is $40. Day-of tickets are $50.
Call: 417-889-3100
