Maryland Sports Tourism Grows and Honors Michael Erin Busch's Legacy

Maryland’s state tourism grant and legacy fund aim to push the state higher in sports tourism industry

By Kristen Cerney

The Youth and Amateur Sports Grant and Michael Erin Busch Fund enables Maryland, and the Maryland Sport Commission, to be a proactive competitor within the sports tourism industry. With these funds, Maryland will distinguish itself from competitor sets regionally, nationally and internationally. The state will be able venture into new spaces within youth and amateur sports, while simultaneously boosting its already merited reputation.

The Maryland Sports Commission has assisted over 3,500 events, resulting in $1.775 billion in direct spending on Maryland’s economy. While this feat is outstanding for the state, Maryland Sports projects that these events will continue to generate positive growth for the economy in the long term.

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The Legacy of Michael Erin Busch on Maryland’s Sports Tourism

In 2003, Micahel Erin Busch became House Speaker in the House of Delegates. For 30 years, he served Maryland and the people of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, up until his death in 2019. Throughout his colored career, Speaker Busch sat in a multitude of committees, notably as Chair of the State Commission on Physical Fitness from 1989 to 1994.

Attending St. Mary’s High School in Annapolis, Speaker Busch was an active student, taking on three sports at one time. His athleticism was highlighted when he was awarded the Rhodes Trophy for being the premier football player in Anne Arundel County. Years later, he was the starting running back on the 1967 Temple University football team.

As a sophomore, he was recruited into the All Conference team, exemplifying his outstanding performance as an athlete. Speaker Busch suffered from an extensive knee injury in his junior year, hindering any plans for a career playing football. This did not stop him from attaining a remarkable life dedicating his work in education, coaching and public service.

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One of Speaker Busch’s hallmarks was gender equity within youth sports, pushing to have equal athletic opportunities for female athletes. Throughout his position as administrator for youth sports programs within the Department of Recreation and Parks Department in Anne Arundel County, he elevated facilities and programs nationwide, many of which continue to thrive due to his support.

Outside of work, he was a proud husband to his wife, Cynthia, and dedicated father to his two daughters, Megan and Erin, who went on to play Division I Lacrosse at Coastal Carolina University and Stetson University. Speaker Busch volunteered as a coach and referee for youth, high school and community college sports. His supportive nature led countless athletes to form a strong bond with each other on and off the field.

Youth sports were a great passion for Speaker Busch, yet he also advocated for state parks, educational programs and higher education. He and his family devoted time to appreciating the arts and bolstering local art programs. His commitment to supporting his community is felt to this day and continues to live on through the programs and centers he loved.

The Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts commemorated his life by renaming itself the Michael E. Busch Center for the Arts and Maryland Hall. The Annapolis Branch of the Anne Arundel County Library took the same initiative, honoring his lifetime of achievements by naming itself after him. To celebrate the positive impact that Speaker Busch had on youth and amateur sports, Maryland Legislature officially approved the Maryland Sports Commission Youth and Amateur Sports Grant and Michael Erin Busch Fund in 2020.