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USADSF Announces New Executive Director

May 23, 2018 - From the beginning of 2017, USA Deaf Sports Federation (USADSF) board began strategic initiatives to achieve two important organizational goals. First, to establish a more focused leadership in supporting American athletes by raising the level of training and coaching to develop the next generation of deaf and hard of hearing athletes. Secondly, aim to build a sustainable funding capacity in the next several years so that USADSF will be in a position to provide financial support for athletes and coaches.  In Fall 2017, we increased the number of our board members to nine. Earlier this year, we appointed two Team Leaders for the 19th Winter Deaflympics and the first-ever Youth Deaf World Games. We are very excited about our next step which is the selection of our new Executive Director.  Today marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for USA Deaf Sports Federation! The addition of Jameson Crane III (“Jim”) is just another example of the strategic steps we’re taking to move forward and reassert USADSF as a leader in the world of Deaf Sports. USADSF is thrilled to welcome Jim to the organization. Jim hails from Columbus, Ohio, and currently resides in Denver, Colorado. He earned his undergraduate degrees from Gallaudet University located in Washington, D.C. After working as a recruiter for Gallaudet University’s admissions office, Jim moved to San Diego where he earned his Juris Doctorate degree from Thomas Jefferson School of Law. Following his degree completion, Jim moved to Denver and co-founded a private equity company. [caption id="attachment_9413" align="alignright" width="263"]USADSF Executive Director, Jameson Crane III USADSF Executive Director, Jameson Crane III[/caption] Jim has had a long and abiding love for all sports. Growing up playing all sports, Jim played ice hockey and tennis in high school; tennis, soccer and intramural sports in college. Jim is a three-time and multi-sport Deaflympian: in addition to competing in Tennis in the 2005 Melbourne Summer Deaflympics, Jim captained the U.S. Men's Ice Hockey Team to a Gold Medal at the 2007 Winter Deaflympics in Salt Lake City and to Bronze at the 2015 Deaflympics in Khanty-Mansiysk. In addition, Jim participated in two World Deaf Ice Hockey Championships with the USA Deaf National Ice Hockey Team. Jim was awarded the Jerald M. Jordan award by USADSF in 2007, for his leadership and continuous participation towards the goals of the Deaflympics. Currently, Jim is the soccer coach for the Rocky Mountain Deaf School middle school team and will support the upcoming AHIHA Ice Hockey camp as an assistant coach. Jim has served on several non-profit organization boards as member and chair. He brings a wealth of experience to USADSF in terms of strategic planning, fundraising, networking, and visionary leadership. Jim's prior leadership in non-profit organizations, his knowledge of Deaf Sports, and his energy is a great fit for USADSF as we deepen our commitment for our athletes. Jim is looking forward to working closely with USADSF leadership, strengthening relationships with NSOs, and implementing strategies to continue USADSF’s legacy of excellence and to ensure its future success. Congratulations Jim! ***If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Board President, Danny Lacey at lacey@usdeafsports.org.
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