Casson, Glusker promoted in USSA leadership roles

By Published On: July 6th, 2016Comments Off on Casson, Glusker promoted in USSA leadership roles

PARK CITY, Utah – The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) announced today the promotion of Jon Casson from coach development manager to director of sport education. Casson comes in to the new role following the departure of Brian Krill, who was named executive director of the Jackson Hole Ski & Snowboard Club earlier this spring.

Throughout his career, Casson has been involved in multiple aspects of sports management, including coaches’ education, organizational leadership and strategic planning. After serving five years as chairman of USSA’s Snowboarding Sport Committee, Casson joined the USSA staff last September as coach development manager where he oversaw all USSA coach development programs, including certification, educational resources and delivery systems.

“USSA coaches are the backbone in developing our skiers and snowboarders and I’m very happy with what we’ve accomplished in coaches’ education this year,” stated Casson. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity to continue working with our coaches as well as our clubs to support their efforts in the field and maintain great programs across the country.”

As director of sport education, Casson will manage all aspects of USSA’s sport education department. He will continue to develop educational resources and recognition processes for all USSA coaches and clubs as well as head up the USSA Club Development Program, which has certified over 30 clubs since its inception.

“Jon has been a valuable member of our USSA team and has established himself as a leader in coaches’ education,” said USSA Executive Vice President, Athletics Luke Bodensteiner. “With experience on the business side as well as a coach and program director, Jon’s skill set allows him to smoothly transition in to this new role and he will continue to be a large asset to our organization and our member clubs and coaches.”

Casson will work alongside Krill to transition into the new role before Krill’s departure in August.

USSA also announced the promotion of Julie Glusker to head of athlete career and education (ACE). Glusker steps into this role after George ‘Jory’ Macomber’s departure this spring to become head of school at Burke Mountain Academy.

As an education and client service-oriented professional, Glusker joined the USSA two years ago as assistant head of the TEAM Academy under Macomber. In those two years, she has been responsible for various USSA ACE programs, including TEAM Academy, financial aid, college partnerships, tuition reimbursement and the Marolt Athlete Endowment. She also is helping to build and establish athlete transition and career services for alumni athletes.

“It is very important for our USSA athletes to have support academically, financially, and professionally in addition to athletically,” said Glusker. “Many studies have shown the benefit sport brings to academics and vice versa. Athletes gain an advantage from incorporating intellectual, academic, and community activities into their athletic regimens. Achieving this mental, physical and emotional balance also increases an athlete’s longevity in sport.”

In recent years, the USSA has seen a cultural shift amongst its athletes and staff towards embracing education and career pathways. In 2015-16, over 40 national team athletes participated in USSA’s college partnership with Westminster College and over 50 athletes utilized USSA’s tuition reimbursement plan. Total credit hours are up 16 percent from 2014.

“We’ve had a record number of USSA athletes participating in high school and college programs,” stated Glusker. “There is a palpable, positive buzz among the athletes, team managers, sport directors and coaches about the value of integrating and aligning education, career opportunities and community engagement with their athletic pursuits. We are very excited to continue building relevant services and programs for alumni athletes, helping them prepare for pursuits beyond the slopes.”

To keep pace with the dynamic and rapidly evolving world of online education, USSA’s Athlete Career and Education program is also expanding and innovating the high school education program. The program will evolve from the TEAM Academy model into a broader-based educational model to serve all national team athletes. The baseline set of academic services for high school and college-aged athletes will be program-agnostic and include curricular advising, education plans, college guidance, general tutoring and exam proctoring. Scholarship and grant application support will also be available.

“This more inclusive approach in our education programs will allow us to support each national team athlete on their high school or college track and within their individual school program,” said USSA President and CEO Tiger Shaw. “Julie has done a fantastic job working with and supporting our athletes. Her guidance, expertise and strong leadership skills will help us successfully make this transition to better support all our athletes for years to come.”

Release and photo courtesy of USSA

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