GOVERNING BODIES

New USOC Chairman Appointed

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—The U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) Board of Directors has selected Larry F. Probst III to replace Peter Ueberroth as its new chairman. Probst, who was appointed to the board as an independent director in September, was unanimously elected for a four-year term during a board of directors’ conference call on Oct. 2. Probst assumed chairman duties during the 2008 Olympic Assembly, Oct. 8-12 at the Hilton Hotel located in the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

Other recent appointments at USOC include Anne H. Shoulders as director of brand management and research; Lauren Pasquale, director of content and product development; and Katie O’Brien, associate director of content development.

Mizuno Extends USA Volleyball Contract Through 2012

NORCROSS, Ga.—Mizuno USA Inc. has renewed its sponsorship agreement as the official athletic apparel and footwear supplier for USA Volleyball’s men’s and women’s national and Olympic teams through 2012. The sponsorship also includes the men’s and women’s junior national teams, boys’ and girls’ youth national teams, and men’s and women’s world university teams.

Mizuno has been the official USA Volleyball athletic and footwear supplier since 2001.

NCAA Launches Championship City Program

INDIANAPOLIS—The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has selected six cities as inaugural members of its new “NCAA Championship City” pilot program, designed to bring a variety of NCAA Division I, II and III men’s and women’s championships and events to the championship cities through 2012. The first six championship cities are Cary, N.C.; Cleveland; Indianapolis; San Antonio; San Diego; and St. Louis.

Each of the six championship cities has hosted an NCAA championship in previous years. The pilot program will provide each city with a wider range of sports to host, as well as rights to use enhanced NCAA trademarks and marketing initiatives to enhance the championship experience for NCAA student-athletes and fans. In addition, it will give host cities increased leverage in long-term planning, general scheduling, developing ancillary and entertainment events, and in establishing additional resources to support the events and generate community involvement toward a positive economic impact.

The championship city model is expected to reduce travel, lodging and signage costs for better fiscal and administrative efficiencies for host cities and the NCAA.

USBC Partners In Founding Youth Sports Community

GREENDALE, Wis.—U.S. Bowling Congress (USBC) has entered a multi-year partnership as one of the founding members of weplay.com, an online youth sports community that connects kids, parents, coaches and professional athletes. The partnership establishes weplay.com as the official online community and social network service provider of the USBC.

The online network gives users the ability to create a unique profile, connect with other users, share photos and videos, create blogs and more. Coaches, parents and administrators can create groups for bowling teams and leagues to facilitate communication, share media and enhance relationships.