Oliver Luck, seven others join USA Football’s Board of Directors

USA Football, the sport’s national governing body and the leader in youth and high school coaching education, announced today the addition of eight members to its board of directors.

The new board members bring expertise in an array of areas, including education, medicine, sports administration and coaching. They are:

• BOBBY E. ABRAMS JR., principal, Montgomery (Ala.) Jefferson Davis High School: Abrams began his educational career as a history teacher before becoming a principal. A former NFL linebacker who earned a master’s degree in education from Alabama State University, Abrams played four seasons at the University of Michigan and was a member of the New York Giants team that won Super Bowl XXV.

• BRAD GARRETT, assistant executive director, Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA): A former high school teacher, athletic director and football coach, Garrett chairs the NFHS Football Rules Committee in addition to his OSAA leadership position. 

• MOLLY GOODWIN, U.S. Women’s National Team alum: A former Division I soccer and ultimate frisbee team member at UC Berkeley, Goodwin was a linebacker for the 2010 U.S. gold medal-winning Women’s National Team as well as the Boston Militia women’s football team. A member of the Ultimate Frisbee Hall of Fame, Goodwin is currently the chief financial officer and linebacker coach for the Boston Renegades women’s football team.

• CODY HAWKINS, U.S. Men’s National Team alum: A former quarterback at the University of Colorado (2007-10), Hawkins was a team captain for the gold-medal winning U.S. Men’s National Team at the 2011 IFAF World Championship in Austria. A graduate assistant on the 2014 Ohio State University coaching staff, he also was the quarterbacks coach and play-caller for the gold-medal winning 2015 U.S. Men’s National Team.

• DR. STANLEY A. HERRING, physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist, Harborview Medical Center: The first chairman of USA Football’s Medical Advisory Committee and a clinical professor at the University of Washington, Herring is the director of the UW Medicine Sports Health and Safety Institute, and he is also a team physician for Seattle’s pro football and baseball teams. Herring’s practice spans the diagnosis and management of neurological and musculoskeletal injuries, focusing on spinal disorders in active people and athletes and sports-related concussion.

• OLIVER LUCK, executive vice president of regulatory affairs, NCAA: Luck was a member of the inaugural College Football Playoff committee and serves on USA Football’s Football Advisory Committee and the NFL Player Safety Advisory Committee. A Rhodes Scholar finalist, Luck played five seasons with the Houston Oilers.

• MATTHEW OH, U.S. Men’s National Team alum: Oh played linebacker and defensive end from 2007-12 at Dartmouth College. Upon graduation, he continued his football career internationally, including seasons in Canada and Japan. As a linebacker on the U.S. Men’s National Team during the 2015 IFAF World Championship, Oh helped lead a defense that allowed just 36 points en route to the program’s third consecutive gold medal.

• ELIZABETH OKEY, U.S. Women’s National Team alum: Okey played center for the gold medal-winning 2013 U.S. Women’s National Team and the Chicago Force women’s professional football team. Prior to football, she played volleyball at Kalamazoo (Mich.) College. An advocate for corporate social responsibility, Okey has assisted in passing education law, managed girls sports programs and studied social innovation.

Former NFL player Deron Cherry, Cincinnati St. Xavier High School head coach Steve Specht, Dr. Gail Rosseau of Inova Neuroscience Institute and Mike Wilcox of Wilcox Financial/Wilcox Sports Management completed their USA Football board terms.

“The leadership, insight and experience of our board drives our nonprofit office to establish significant football firsts that benefit young athletes in football as well as other sports,” USA Football CEO and Executive Director Scott Hallenbeck said. “We thank our board members whose terms have expired for their significant contributions and welcome our new members as they propel our work in innovative and exciting ways.”

USA Football educates more high school and youth coaches combined than any organization in the United States. With members in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., the independent nonprofit conducts more than 200 football education and training events annually. More than 1,100 high schools and 6,500 youth football organizations nationwide are enrolled in USA Football’s Heads Up Football program for the 2015 season. Heads Up Football is supported by more than three dozen leading organizations in the fields of medicine, sport and child advocacy, including the American College of Sports Medicine, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the National Parent-Teachers Association (PTA).

About USA Football: Indianapolis-based USA Football (www.usafootball.com) is the sport’s national governing body, leading the game’s development for youth, high school and other amateur players. The independent nonprofit partners with leaders in medicine, child advocacy and sport to establish important standards rooted in the best available science. USA Football advances coaching education and player skill development for safer play and positive experiences through athletics.