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Collegiate Advisory Council

About the Collegiate Advisory Council #

The USOPC Collegiate Advisory Council is a first-of-its-kind group established to strengthen Olympic and Paralympic sports in the American collegiate system. The 12-member council is comprised of collegiate administrators and Team USA athletes who advocate for broad-based Olympic and Paralympic sport programming on campus and represent institutions that have historically contributed to Team USA’s success at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.


The CAC is rooted in its mission: Strengthen and lead collaboration efforts to align our country's unique collegiate athletic landscape and the Olympic and Paralympic Movements to support Team USA's collegiate athletes. It operates through three core programming areas: broad-based advocacy, financial sustainability and audience development.

  • Broad-based Advocacy

    Advocate for a healthy, multi-sport landscape on campus with federal, state, NCAA and/or conference audiences.

  • Financial Sustainability

    Explore avenues for generating new revenue and/or reducing operational expenses for Olympic and Paralympic sports on campus.

  • Audience Development

    Increase year-round storytelling and awareness across all levels of Olympic and Paralympic sport.

Members#

  • Bernard Muir speaks from a podium.

    Bernard Muir

    Collegiate Advisory Council Chair


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  • Bubba Cunningham speaks at an event.

    Bubba Cunningham

    USOPC Board Member

    University of North Carolina, Athletic Director

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  • Greg Byrne attends a basketball game.

    Greg Byrne

    University of Alabama, Director of Athletics

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  • Jen Cohen (USC Athletic Director) speaks at a podium.

    Jennifer Cohen

    University of Southern California, Director of Athletics

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  • Lauren Crandall competes for Team USA in field hockey.

    Lauren Crandall

    Wake Forest University, Athlete

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  • Mark Harlan (University of Utah Athletic Director) speaks at a press conference.

    Mark Harlan

    University of Utah, Director of Athletics

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  • Jessica Heims competes at the Tokyo Paralympic Games.

    Jessica Heims

    University of Northern Iowa, Athlete

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  • Chaunte Lowe holds up the US flag.

    Chaunte Lowe

    Georgia Tech University, Athlete

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  • Rob Mullens celebrates at a University of Oregon football game.

    Rob Mullens

    University of Oregon, Athletic Director

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  • Jamie Pollard celebrates a victory.

    Jamie Pollard

    Iowa State University, Director of Athletics

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  • Kendall Spencer sitting on stage and speaking.

    Kendall Spencer

    University of New Mexico, Athlete

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  • Scott Stricklin speaks from a podium.

    Scott Stricklin

    University of Florida, Athletic Director

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We would like to thank the following past CAC members for their service to the USOPC Collegiate Advisory Council:

  • Sandy Barbour - Former Penn State University - Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics
  • Bob Bowlsby - Former Big 12 Conference Commissioner
  • Chris Plonsky - University of Texas - Chief of Staff, Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director
  • Gene Smith - Former Ohio State University - Senior Vice President, Director of Athletics
  • Kevin White - Former USOPC Board member & Former Duke University - Vice President, Director of Athletics