University News
A "Spur" of the Moment Decision Becomes Career for WIU Alumnus Bruce Guthrie
September 30, 2005
MACOMB, IL - - Bruce Guthrie, a 1981 physical education graduate from Western Illinois University, claims he was in the right place at the right time when he packed up everything he owned in his car and drove from his west central Illinois hometown outside of Quincy to San Antonio, TX.
Having grown up in Mendon, IL with a population of less than 900 the journey was exciting and terrifying. Relocating one year after graduating from Western was a huge event in his career and his life. But Guthrie claims he will never regret his decision to take on Texas; and he vows to never forget his roots.
Guthrie is in his 24th season with the National Basketball Association (NBA) San Antonio Spurs. A perfect example of working through the ranks, he began as an account executive with the Spurs in 1982 and served as director of marketing for six seasons before being promoted to his current position -- vice president of marketing for Spurs Sports and Entertainment -- in 1992.
Guthrie is responsible for the strategic development and execution of all Spurs Sports and Entertainment marketing, advertising, direct response, research, database and web marketing operations. This includes the 2005 NBA Champion Spurs, the WNBA Silver Stars, the AHL Rampage and all entertainment events that take place in the SBC Center, including concerts and family shows.
Guthrie supervises the Spurs regional marketing, advertising and promotional activities and is in charge of the entire game presentation.
This includes traffic, parking, security, ushers, mascots, dancers, on-court promotions, music presentation, video board and all other elements of game operation, said Guthrie. We put a lot of work into putting on a game.
Similar to the way he was raised, according to Guthrie, he and the Spurs Sports and Entertainment management and staff use a rock-hard philosophy with all of their franchises: Deliver a very competitive team built on character, teamwork and unselfishness and use that asset to positively influence your community.
Under his direction the Spurs were the first NBA team to implement a fan reward program -- Spurs Rewards -- that rewards fans for attending games and now has more than 250,000 members. The Spurs led the NBA in attendance during the 2000-2001 and the 2001-2002 seasons.
Over the past two years, the Spurs have been named one of the top two franchises in professional sports in ESPN The Magazines Ultimate Standings. In 2004, the Spurs took home the number one spot, and in February 2005 they placed second in the standings.
In 1991, Guthrie also assisted with the development of SAOne, Inc., the Spurs special event management company that has brought numerous NCAA football and basketball games, preseason NFL football games and NHL hockey games to San Antonio.
During his time with the Spurs, Guthrie has received numerous honors including the 1999 Marketer of the Year Award by San Antonio American Marketing Association, the Distinguished Sales and Marketing Award by the Sales and Marketing Executives of San Antonio and several ADDY awards.
He has served two terms as a member of the NBA Marketing Advisory Board and was a member of the Carver Academy Development Committee, an inner city independent school created by David Robinson. Guthrie is currently a member of the American Marketing Association and is on the board of directors for the American Advertising Federation of San Antonio.
Although Guthrie and his wife Carla reside in Garden Ridge (TX) with their 17-year-old son Zachary, he still keeps up on what is happening at home.
I read the Quincy Herald-Whig online almost every day, and I try to get back to Adams County once or twice a year, said Guthrie.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing
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