Former Ohio State QB Joe Bauserman takes over as SportsOhio plans major expansion

SportsOhio has put former Ohio State quarterback and Pittsburgh Pirates draft pick Joe Bauserman in charge of daily operations at its 100-acre campus at 6100 Dublin Park Drive — and in a central role as Dublin plans to expand the complex by more than 140 acres.

SportsOhio selected Bauserman as general manager. The City of Dublin announced the appointment Sept. 10, 2026. Bauserman had begun the job in December 2025, according to his LinkedIn profile.

For the families, coaches and recreation users who come to SportsOhio for games, practices and training, Bauserman is now responsible for operations and maintenance while helping shape the campus’s long-term direction.

He brings more than 15 years of experience in facility management, athletics, real estate and operational leadership, the city said. The Pirates selected him in the fourth round of the 2004 Major League Baseball draft.

“I am thrilled to lead our team at SportsOhio,” Bauserman said. “This facility impacts the lives of people at any age, ability, or competitive level. We will always strive to create an unforgettable experience for those who visit our facility and the great city of Dublin.”

What athletes use now

SportsOhio’s campus page describes the Dublin Park Drive property as a 100-acre family sports and recreation campus.

Its mix of facilities already gives athletes several ways to use the site. Soccer First offers indoor and outdoor soccer, while the Field Sports multisport field house accommodates baseball, lacrosse and volleyball. The Golf Center has a year-round driving range, nine-hole par-3 course, FootGolf, practice areas, lessons, camps and clinics.

That range matters as Dublin considers adding land. The practical value for local users will depend on whether the expansion creates more useful space and programming for teams, families and adult recreation — while also giving the city more capacity to host larger events.

Sports Facilities Management LLC has managed the complex since July 1, 2025, under an agreement awarded through a public competitive request-for-proposals process. The contract runs through Dec. 31, 2029.

Scott Rodgers, then vice president of venue management for The Sports Facilities Companies, said Bauserman’s athletic and management experience made him a strong fit.

“Joe’s extensive background in athletics and facility management made him a perfect candidate for this exciting position,” Rodgers said. “His experiences with the greater Dublin area as a former Ohio State student-athlete provides an instant connection to this community and its people. We are thrilled to have Joe leading the charge as we enhance the SportsOhio experience for the community and its visitors.”

Building the next phase

The expansion follows Dublin’s 2024 purchase of roughly 242.6 acres for $44.6 million. The acquisition included about 97.5 acres at SportsOhio — the property described publicly as a 100-acre campus — along with 7.93 acres at Shepherd Excavating and 137.109 acres at Carter Farms.

The latter two properties total about 145 acres, putting the planned expansion’s 140-plus-acre scale into context. How the larger area will be organized, built and phased will be worked out through the city’s planning process.

The city’s economic-development office says the next step is a Strategic Park Plan, following the concept and design framework. The plan is expected to address detailed analysis, construction phases and implementation.

Dublin’s Capital Improvements Program allocates a combined $8.3 million for SportsOhio and Darree Fields in 2026 and 2027. The city’s broader vision is to pair the two sites as a destination for recreation, events and tournaments serving residents while attracting visitors and investment.

“SportsOhio is an important part of Dublin’s recreational landscape and a growing regional destination that supports our sports tourism economy,” Dublin City Manager Megan O’Callaghan said. “We’re excited to welcome Joe Bauserman as General Manager and look forward to working together to advance our vision for a premier athletic and recreation campus that connects community, drives economic development and delivers a uniquely Dublin experience.”

The Dublin payoff

Dublin’s existing tournament business offers one example of what additional sports traffic can mean beyond the fields. The city’s 2026 hotel/motel-tax grants include $14,000 for Club Ohio Soccer’s Nike Challenge Cup. Dublin’s economic-development office estimates that tournament generates $4 million to $5 million in regional spending at hotels, restaurants and retailers.

The Nike Challenge Cup is a separate event, not a forecast of what the SportsOhio expansion will produce. But it illustrates why the city sees sports facilities as part of its visitor economy — and why nearby businesses will be watching the eventual tournament calendar as closely as families watch for new programming.

Bauserman’s hiring alone will not determine that outcome. During a management contract running through 2029, he will be responsible for keeping the current complex operating while helping shape what comes next.

For Dublin families, coaches and businesses, the scorecard will be straightforward: whether the added land produces more usable recreation and tournament capacity, and whether the visitors filling those fields also spend time and money elsewhere in the city.