Zajc to Leave SABR

SABR Executive Director John Zajc has announced that he is leaving SABR effective September 30.

“I am privileged and honored to have served the SABR membership for the past twenty years,” Zajc said, “but it’s time for me to step aside and explore new and different challenges and opportunities. I believe a fresh perspective at SABR’s helm can pay dividends for the Society. My experience at SABR has enhanced my life both personally and professionally. The friendships I have made at SABR and the lessons I have learned here will remain with me wherever my career path leads.”

“We will miss John,” said SABR president Andy McCue. “His work as our executive director has made SABR a better organization and his decision to give us nearly six months notice reflects his abiding concern for the Society. Along with the Board, I know that everyone in the society who has met, worked with or benefited from John’s leadership joins me in wishing him the very best.”

“The Board and I are grateful that John has agreed to continue working for SABR until the end of September, concurrent with an executive search and allowing the Board the time to re-evaluate the direction we would like the Society to take.”

John began his SABR career in 1990 as a part-time clerical assistant hired by then executive director Morris Eckhouse. His position grew to full-time a couple years later and eventually evolved into the position of Director of Membership Services. When Morris resigned in January 2000, John led the organization while the board searched for a new executive director. He was acting executive director again in 2002, and was officially named SABR’s executive director January 1, 2003. Under his leadership, the SABR Endowment Fund has grown from $4,000 to over $112,000 in seven years, and SABR’s Reserve Fund has doubled.  His stewardship of the annual donor campaign has impacted much of what SABR has been able to accomplish in recent years, including a large increase in SABR’s online resources.

John’s accomplishments also include the creation of the Yoseloff-SABR Baseball Research grant program to help fund baseball research and the Legacy program which recognizes members and friends who have made a lasting commitment to baseball research by including SABR in their estate plans.

The SABR Board will announce the process for finding a new executive director later in May.