J. Michael Wilson to Lead USOC Athlete Relations Department

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - J. Michael Wilson has been promoted to the newly formed position of Director of Athlete Relations. Under the new USOC structure, Wilson's department falls within the Media and Public Relations Division, which is headed by Managing Director Mike Moran. In his new capacity as Director of Athlete Relations, Wilson will oversee Athlete Marketing, Athlete Career Services and Alumni Relations.

J. Michael Wilson

"Michael Wilson brings us energy, vitality and creative talent in a new role that will benefit our current athletes and our Olympic alumni," said Moran. "This important new program could not be in better hands with Mike and his team headed by Barry King, Cindy Stinger and Keith Bryant."

As part of Wilson's strategic plan for the department, Athlete Marketing will focus on expanding its base of potential corporate and community organizations that utilize Olympic athletes for promotional appearances. The Athlete Career Services area will open a career resources office within the Colorado Springs Olympic Complex and will seek to expand the Olympic Job Opportunities Program (OJOP). Alumni Relations will expand its communications with Olympic Alumni while using proactive strategies to establish relationships with America's Olympic hopefuls. Wilson is also charged with the development of several athlete and alumni based websites that will both inform and offer financial opportunities for future and former Olympians.

Prior to his appointment to the newly created post, Wilson was Director of the Olympic Visitor Center and Community Relations. Wilson, 35, guided the USOC's Visitor Center facility and tour program to unprecedented heights, with over 127,000 individuals visiting the Colorado Springs Olympic Complex in 1999. Under his direct supervision, Wilson's department managed the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame, Olympic conference rooms and the USOC community relations program. He also directed the tour programs at the Olympic Training Centers in Chula Vista, Calif., and Lake Placid, N.Y.

Wilson has a wealth of experience in media operations, serving as the Village Press Coordinator at the 1998 Olympic Winter Games in Nagano, Japan, the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta and the 1994 Olympic Winter Games in Lillehammer, Norway. He served as editor of the Team USA newsletter at the 1995 Pan American Games in Mar del Plata, Argentina, and was Press Chief for the U.S. Delegation at the 1995 Winter World University Games in Jaca, Spain. He has also served on three U.S. Olympic Festival staffs: 1993 (San Antonio, Texas), 1994 (St. Louis, Mo.) and 1995 (Denver, Colo.).

Wilson is a 1987 graduate of the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore and did further graduate studies at Florida A&M University's school of business from 1987-88. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Greater Colorado Springs Economic Development Corporation, Colorado Springs Sports Corporation, IHS Pikes Peak Challenge for Brain Injury, Urban League's MOSIAC (Minority Opportunities to Strengthen Awareness in Communities) Group, Springs 2000 Commission and Pikes Peak United Way Young Leaders Council. Wilson is a member of the College Sports Information Directors of America, Black College Sports Information Directors of America, OPRA (Olympic Public Relations Association), Urban League and NAACP.

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