COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Dec. 5, 2002) - The Colorado Springs Sports Corporation announced today the resignation of President and Chief Executive Officer Dave Ogrean. Ogrean is resigning in order to become Executive Director of USA Football, the first national advocacy organization representing all levels of amateur football. Created through the combined efforts of the National Football League and the National Football League Players Association, the newly formed entity will be based in Washington, D.C.

Ogrean’s resignation takes effect Friday, December 6. That same day, the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation Board of Directors will announce a transition plan and the process by which Ogrean’s successor will be selected.

Ogrean will begin his new role on Monday, December 9 when he will attend, along with NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue and NFLPA Executive Director Gene Upshaw, the Pop Warner Super Bowl in Orlando, Fla.

USA Football will be endowed by the NFL Youth Football Fund, a foundation created by the NFL and NFLPA to provide support for organizations involved in youth and high school football. USA Football will be governed by a diverse, broad-based Board of Directors.

USA Football will support local, regional and national youth football programs. The new organization will collaborate with existing youth and high school football programs and create alliances to further build the game. Areas of focus will include promotion of the sport, chartering and standards for leagues, development of competition and awards, education and training, research, grant-making, communication, and licensing.

"It is vital for the future of our sport at all levels to work together to promote the interests of amateur football," said Tagliabue. "USA Football will serve as an unifying voice in strengthening youth and high school football in areas including coaching, officiating, sportsmanship and player development."

"There are millions of youngsters playing football for hundreds of leagues and programs in America," said Upshaw. "The goal of USA Football is to galvanize and promote the game at the amateur level. Dave Ogrean is the right person to handle this challenging task."

“I am extremely excited about the opportunity to build USA Football from the ground up, and very proud of what we have accomplished at the Sports Corporation,” said Ogrean. “Colorado Springs is a wonderful community that will always be a big part of our family's life. I am gratified to have had the privilege of working with so many true friends to make a positive contribution here.”

After a decade of success in America’s Olympic movement, Ogrean brought his trademark ambition, energy and enthusiasm to the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation when he was named President and Chief Executive Officer on March 22, 2000. In two-and-a-half years as President and CEO, the 49-year-old Ogrean revitalized an organization that works to advance sports for the economic and social benefit of the citizens of the Pikes Peak region.

Among the many highlights of Ogrean’s tenure as President and CEO is the creation of Sports Corporation signature properties such as the Rocky Mountain State Games and the Colorado Springs Sports Hall of Fame. The organization has also been successful in its pursuit of high-profile national and international sports properties such as the Reese’s Gymnastics Cup (2003), the NCAA Hockey West Regional Championship (2004) and the General Association of International Sports Federations Congress and General Assembly (2002).

Immediately prior to joining the Sports Corporation, Ogrean served as Deputy Executive Director for Marketing for the U.S. Olympic Committee, where he played a key role in the effort that produced $200 million in sponsorship revenue for the USOC and the Salt Lake Olympic Organizing Committee in just 12 months.

From 1993-99, Ogrean was Executive Director of USA Hockey, guiding the organization through a period of unprecedented growth that included an increase in registered membership of almost 100 percent to more than 500,000 players, coaches and officials nationwide.

Ogrean also served as the first Director of Broadcasting for the U.S. Olympic Committee from 1990-93 and was the Assistant Executive Director for Television for the College Football Association from 1988-90. From 1980-88, he worked for ESPN, first in corporate communications and later in program acquisition and management. Ogrean began his professional career in 1978 as Director of Public Relations for the Amateur Hockey Association of the United States – known today as USA Hockey.

Ogrean and his wife, Maryellen, are the parents of three children: Matt, a student at Colorado State University; Tracy, a high school senior; and Dana, a high school freshman.

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