Sports San Diego’s third annual Game Time Gala presented by National University will be hosted April 24th on the court at LionTree Arena on the campus of UC San Diego. The event celebrates the impact of sports tourism on San Diego’s economy, highlighting the role sports events play on the region’s tourism and hospitality industry. The gala’s Rising Tide Awards recognize five categories of outstanding contributions by individuals and organizations in San Diego during 2025. This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes local sports icon Malin Burnham for the significant contributions he has made and continues to make for sports and sports tourism in San Diego.
Burnham was involved in the America’s Cup competition for three decades. In 1977, he was helmsman and skipper of Enterprise, an S&S-designed 12-metre yacht, in the America’s Cup defender trials. In 1980, he sailed frequently as helmsman of the trial-horse boat for Dennis Conner’s winning Freedom campaign. In 1983 he did the same for the Liberty campaign. In 1987, Burnham helped bring the America’s Cup to San Diego when he founded and served as president and CEO of the Sail America Foundation. He also is a former partner and owner of the San Diego Padres and San Diego Sockers.
The Game Time Gala is hosted by Sports San Diego, a non-profit organization that produces the Trust & Will Holiday Bowl, Rady Children’s Invitational, and the California State Games, and serves as the region’s sports commission.
“We’re excited to announce our third annual winners of the Rising Tide Awards and honor Malin Burnham for his amazing contributions to our local sports industry,” said Mark Neville, CEO of Sports San Diego. “Sports events have been a pillar of the tourism industry in San Diego for decades. Even recently, San Diego has attracted some of the largest events and most iconic brands in the world including NASCAR, FIFA World Cup and Breeders’ Cup to name a few.”
“Congratulations to this year’s lifetime achievement recipient Malin Burnham and the Rising Tide Award finalists for their outstanding contributions to our community,” said Dr. Nancy Rohland Heinrich, executive vice president for community engagement at National University and 2025 president of Sports San Diego. “National University is proud to support Sports San Diego and the Game Time Gala. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to strengthening the region and celebrating the leaders and organizations that help San Diego thrive.”
Ticket prices are $350 per person and $2,800 for a table of 8 and can be purchased right here.
Past Rising Tide Award Winners
*Lifetime Achievement: Ron Fowler (2025).
*Best Marketing Campaign: San Diego FC, Chrome Ball Tour (2025), San Diego Wave FC, Jersey Release (2024).
*Allied Partner of the Year: V Group Signs (2025), Rady Children’s Health- San Diego (2024).
*Impact Player of the Year: JD Wicker, Director of Athletics at San Diego State University (2025), Ryan Patterson, owner of San Diego Legion (2024).
*Venue of the Year: Torrey Pines Municipal Golf Course (2025), Barnes Tennis Center, Small Capacity (2024), Snapdragon Stadium, Large Capacity (2024).
*Special Event of Year: New Zealand All Blacks vs. Fiji (2025), Concacaf Women’s Gold Cup (2024).
About National University
National University, a Veteran-founded nonprofit, has been dedicated to meeting the needs of nontraditional, working, and military students by providing accessible, affordable higher education opportunities since 1971. As San Diego’s largest private nonprofit university, NU offers over 150 online and on-campus programs with flexible four-week and eight-week classes and one-to-one graduate education models designed to help students reach their goals while balancing busy lives. Since its founding, the NU community has grown to 130,000 learners served per year—50,000 degree-seeking students and 80,000 workforce and professional development students—and 250,000 alumni around the globe, many of whom serve in helping industries such as business, education, health care, cybersecurity, and law and criminal justice. To learn more about National University’s new possibilities in education including next-generation education, value-rich education, and whole human education, visit NU.edu.
About Sports San Diego
Sports San Diego’s mission is to ignite tourism and fuel economic growth by 1) bringing world-class sporting events to San Diego; 2) producing extraordinary experiences for fans, athletes, and the community; and 3) unifying and elevating all sports across the city to foster a vibrant, inclusive sports culture, enhancing San Diego’s reputation and opportunities.
