The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee established its collegiate partnerships division in June 2016, with the aim of strengthening collegiate contributions to Team USA and the Olympic and Paralympic movements. The addition came at a critical time in the lead up to the Olympic Games Rio 2016, where nearly 80 percent of American athletes – and 83 percent of U.S. medalists – had collegiate ties.
Collegiate athletics are critical to Team USA’s success, but beyond medal implications, college athletics have a profound impact on the lives of generations of participants. Collegiate institutions provide invaluable resources for current and aspiring Olympians and Paralympians to train, compete and pursue higher education while striving for athletic excellence at a peak-performance time in their lives.
Tasked with developing and executing strategies aimed at preserving broad-based Olympic and Paralympic sport programs at the collegiate level, the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee collegiate partnerships division aims to enhance strategic alliances with NCAA member institutions and conferences to elevate national engagement and support of Olympic and Paralympic sport opportunities.
Contact:
Sarah Wilhelmi
USOPC Director of Collegiate Partnerships