IU.S. OLYMPIC AND PARALYMP C F O U N D A I T O N 2016 ACE IMPACT REPORT
AS SUPPORTERS OF TEAM USA, WE MUST CONTINUE TO INVEST IN high quality, comprehensive career and education services aimed at enhancing THE performance and personal development OF both current and retired Team USA athletes. THIS IS AN ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL NEED FOR U.S. OLYMPIANS, PARALYMPIANS AND HOPEFULS. ABOut ACE DAN ZELSON The USOC ACE program exists to help U.S. Olympians, Paralympians and elite athletes with their career and education goals and their preparation for life beyond sport. Available to current and retired Team USA athletes, ACE delivers comprehensive career, education and life skills services aimed at enhancing performance, career and personal development. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THE ATHLETE CAREER AND EDUCATION PROGRAM. Dear FRIENDS, I have had the pleasure of serving on the U.S. networking and professional development Olympic and Paralympic Foundation s ACE Working opportunities offered throughout the year. Group since 2015, and it has been one of the most meaningful aspects of my involvement with Team In the following pages, you will find more detail about USA. The USOC s commitment to its athletes not ACE and the athletes it served in 2016. I hope this just as competitors, but as people is truly inspiring, report will provide some evidence of the incredible and it is a cause I am thrilled to support. difference your gift is making for U.S. Olympians, Paralympians and hopefuls each day. In 2016, the U.S. Olympic Committee s Athlete Career and Education Program served 1,087 athletes Thank you for helping to fund one of the most representing 85 percent of all Olympic and impactful programs of the USOC. I look forward to Paralympic sports. Those athletes had varying your continued support as we prepare U.S. athletes backgrounds and needs from Olympic and for success, both in sport and in life. Paralympic hopefuls seeking flexible employment while training, to gold medalists beginning the Sincerely, transition to life after sport. D Zelson The ACE Program was successful this year thanks to the support of people like you. Members of the 2016 DAN ZELSON U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams found great value USOPF Board of Directors ACE Working Group in the 2016 Athlete Career and Education Summit, and a wider group of U.S. athletes benefited from page 2 ATHLETE CAREER AND EDUCATION PROGRAM page 3
RUDY GARCIA-TOLSON Swimmer Rudy Garcia-Tolson is training for his fifth Paralympic Games in 2020 and starting to think about what s next for his career after he retires from competitive sport. It s intimidating, but he knows that the ACE Program is here to support him and make that transition as smooth as possible.
BY THE NUMBERS In 2016, ACE assisted with 149 job placements. Athletes were matched with employers who understood their specific needs, including flexible schedules and remote work options. CAREER SERVICES From resume-building workshops to job placement assistance, ACE career services allow athletes to find employment options that meet their needs both during and after their athletic careers. In 2016, ACE assisted with 149 job placements. Athletes were matched with employers who understood their specific needs, including flexible schedules and remote work options. Those same employers also understood that the skills that make an athlete successful tenacity, dedication, discipline and more can translate into success in the workplace. Through the DICK s Sporting Goods Contenders Program, 200 athletes found employment in part-time, flexible jobs at DICK s retail stores across the country. DICK s also signed brand ambassador contracts with many athlete employees. Additionally, 81 U.S. athletes received talent development, transition and job search assistance through ACE partner Lee Hecht Harrison. page 6
BY THE NUMBERS As the official education provider of the USOC, DeVry University and its Keller Graduate School of Management enrolled 228 Team USA athletes from 2013-2016. Also through ACE, resident athletes at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs were eligible for in-state tuition at several colleges and universities. This allowed for 40 Team USA athletes to earn affordable degrees while training at the flagship OTC s world-class facilities. EDUCATION SERVICES From 2013-2016, 68 Team USA athletes graduated from DeVry University, including 24 in 2016. Of those, 27 earned undergraduate degrees and 41 graduate degrees. As the official education provider of the USOC, DeVry University and its Keller Graduate School of Management enrolled 228 Team USA athletes from 2013-2016. Through DeVry, athletes can earn associate s, bachelor s or master s degrees online or in person while pursuing their primary goal of achieving Olympic and Paralympic success. Many students qualify for financial assistance in the form of scholarships or tuition discounts. Also through ACE, resident athletes at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs were eligible for in-state tuition at several colleges and universities. This allowed for 40 Team USA athletes to earn affordable degrees while training at the flagship OTC s world-class facilities. ATHLETE CAREER AND EDUCATION PROGRAM page 9
LETTICIA MARTINEZ Colorado Springs-based Paralympic swimmer Letticia Martinez competed in her first Paralympic Games at Rio 2016. In October, Martinez attended the post-games Athlete Career and Education Summit, where she gained valuable networking skills and professional insights that will serve her well in her career beyond sport.
IN THEIR WORDS 2016 ACE SUMMIT The ACE team did an outstanding job with putting this together. So thankful for the opportunity and all the great topics! It is critical we keep this program funded for athletes and their future as professionals! - Anonymous ACE Summit Athlete Attendee Following the Rio 2016 Games, members of Team USA gathered in Arlington, Virginia, for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Athlete Career and Education Summit presented by the Foundation for Global Sports Development. The three-day event, held after the Games every two years, aims to provide both currently competing and soon-to-retire athletes with tangible and actionable resources for career and life. In total, 212 athletes 106 Olympians and 106 Paralympians attended the Summit, representing 41 of 51 sports contested in Rio. Activities included the inaugural U.S. Olympians and Paralympians Association Induction Ceremony, LA 2024 Town Hall, athlete panels and a networking session with donors and industry professionals. The Summit offered 16 breakout sessions with topics ranging from financial fitness to obtaining sponsors to leveraging your personal brand. At the Summit s conclusion, 87 percent of athletes said it was helpful or extremely helpful in guiding them through their next steps after Rio. page 12 212 ATHLETES ATTENDED THE 2016 ACE SUMMIT, representing 41 of 51 sports contested AT THE RIO GAMES.
IN THEIR WORDS After attending ACE Pivot Workshops, Team USA athletes reported feeling more hopeful about their post-competition career and education situations. PIVOT WORKSHOPS I CAME IN FEELING... I LEFT FEELING... Isolated Down on myself Uncertain Stressed Frustrated Like I had to have the rest of my career mapped out Like a failure Embarrassed There is no time limit A support system exists Resources are available Better about my current state It s OK -- the process isn t perfect I m not alone Unproductivity is part of the process New in 2016, the ACE PIVOT Workshop aims to provide Team USA athletes with a variety of tools and techniques to help maximize their performance as they transition to life after sport. Facilitated by sports psychologists and professional career transition specialists, cohorts of up to 24 athletes are guided through 1-2 day workshops followed by monthly group video conferences for a year. Team USA athletes found the workshop beneficial, with 89 percent likely or extremely likely to recommend PIVOT to others in the future. The PIVOT workshop was absolutely invaluable. I have really been struggling with the transition, and that the USOC cared enough to fund this whole trip meant so much to me. For the first time, I felt I still had value, even if I wasn t an athlete. I gained a lot from this experience being around other athletes who are struggling. This made me feel supported for the first time. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart. - Anna Ringsred, Speedskating, 2014 U.S. Olympian page 14 ATHLETE CAREER AND EDUCATION PROGRAM page 15
THANK YOU for supporting the dreams of U.S. Olympians and Paralympians, both on and off the field of play. We re proud to count you as a part of the Team Behind the Team, and we look forward to partnering with you to make Team USA stronger for years to come. For more information about current USOPF funding initiatives or planned giving opportunities, please reach out to your local foundation representative or send us an email at foundation@usoc.org. UNITED STATES OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC FOUNDATION ONE OLYMPIC PLAZA COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80909 GIVE.TEAMUSA.ORG