Joy Ferenbaugh Named New Manager of Competition & Athlete Programs
Posted: May 18, 2017 10:03 AM
Colorado Springs, Colo. (May 18, 2017) – USA Ultimate, the national governing body for the sport of ultimate in the United States, announced today the hiring of a new team member in the Competition & Athlete Programs department.
Joy Ferenbaugh was recently named the new Manager of Competition & Athlete Programs – Youth and will oversee USA Ultimate’s youth division programs, specifically the organization’s high school and youth club competition structures, under-20 national teams, and other programs throughout the year. She will assist in the management and direction of events, including registration and processing, event communication, and support of personnel and relevant committees.
Ferenbaugh holds a Ph.D. in biology from Texas Tech University. Professionally, she has spent the last eight years as an assistant professor at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va. She has held a variety of other teaching positions over the years and served as the co-director for the Center for STEM Education and Outreach at James Madison University. She also has been active in a number of youth-focused organizations, including the Boy Scouts of America, GirlVentures, Solaid International and K-12 Outreach Programs at James Madison University.
Ferenbaugh is a long-time member of the ultimate community. She began playing in college, helping to found the Texas Tech women’s ultimate team. She has played on a variety of women’s and mixed teams, including Axis of C’ville, with whom she won the Mixed National Championship in 2009, and has attended two WFDF World Ultimate Club Championships. She has experience with organizing events, both ultimate and academic, and has served as the coach and faculty advisor for the James Madison University women’s ultimate team from 2008-2016, helping to develop the team from a social club to a sustainable competitive program.
"We are excited to have Joy joining the team," said Will Deaver, Managing Director of Competition & Athlete Programs. "Joy brings organizational and analytical skills to the program to complement her experience playing, coaching and running ultimate events. Her experience developing programs, from academic to non-profit to ultimate, will be key to helping lead the development of our youth programs and events. We are clearly adding a teammate whose passion and intelligence will be a great asset to the organization, and we look forward to her getting started."
Ferenbaugh will join the USA Ultimate headquarters team in early June.
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