Former Bucknell University Head Coach John Abdou Appointed to United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee/Athletes Advisory Council Team USA Council on Racial & Social Justice

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Former Bucknell University head coach and current USA Water Polo (USAWP) High Performance Director John Abdou is among 44 members of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), Athletes’ Advisory Council, National Governing Bodies and the U.S. Olympians & Paralympians Association comprising the Team USA Council on Racial and Social Justice.

The athlete-led council, formed to address the rules and systems in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic movements that create barriers to progress, is committed to working collaboratively to provide solutions and recommendations with the aim of eradicating social injustice and cultivating change through strengthened athlete voices.

“We are grateful to this group of athletes and thought leaders who have joined the council, lending their perspective and dedication to help us confront the issues of racism and discrimination in sport and society,” said USOPC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sarah Hirshland. “It is important that we continue this work of elevating athlete voices and addressing limitations within our Olympic and Paralympic community. This past week, we witnessed athletes across the country demand change through both words and actions – showing they are a powerful force in the community. We look forward to coming together as one Team USA to reflect and identify solutions toward meaningful change.”

The product of athlete town halls, individual athlete discussions and ongoing meetings with outside experts about systemic racial and social injustice present in our country, the council will create pathways for dialogue, advocate for action and work toward implementing impactful change across the movements. The group will focus on four priorities:

• The right to protest and demonstrations, to assess current policies and alternate options.
• Athlete voice and advocacy, to empower athlete voices on Team USA platforms.
• Institutional awareness and cultural change, to review USOPC and NGB diversity and hiring policies.
• Racism and acts of discrimination, to enhance reporting and dispute resolution processes.

The 44-member council consists of 23 Team USA athletes, five Team USA alumni representatives, five NGB representatives, five USOPC liaisons and six external consultants and thought leaders – all serving in voluntary roles. Thirty-six individuals will sit on one of four subject-specific steering committees dedicated to addressing four areas of focus. Overseeing each of the four steering committees will be an eight-member leadership team, with the assistance of a distinguished team of outside experts. The council is currently supported by an additional group of community ambassadors featuring 26 Team USA athletes, alumni and USOPC and NGB/HPMO representatives, but with the ability to expand as interest grows.

A veteran collegiate and national team coach, Abdou was named High Performance Director of USA Water Polo on November 18, 2013. In February of 2017 he was promoted to Chief High Performance Officer. In this position Abdou oversees the Olympic Development Program in addition to coach education, events and growth. Working in unison with Senior National Team Head Coaches Adam Krikorian and Dejan Udovicic, Abdou oversees them in implementing their technical vision throughout ODP and the USA Water Polo club system. Abdou is currently co-chair of the USAWP Task Force on Racial Equity and Reform along with the legendary Brenda Villa.

Formerly the Associate Head Coach for men’s water polo at the University of California-Santa Barbara and Director/Boy’s Head Coach of the Santa Barbara Water Polo Club, Abdou began his post with USA Water Polo full-time following the conclusion of the 2013 men’s collegiate season. Prior to his time at UC-Santa Barbara, Abdou spent five years at Bucknell with the last two serving as head coach of both the men’s and women’s programs following a three year tenure as an assistant coach under John Zeigler. Within USA Water Polo, Abdou has remained active in the National Team pipeline in his position as ODP East Region Technical Director since 2008. Since 2010 he has also been a part of the coaching staff of the Men’s Senior National “B” Team.

A former social science teacher at Burbank High School, Abdou competed for the University of California-Irvine men’s water polo team earning his undergraduate degree in sociology in 2001. He added a masters degree in higher education from Bucknell in 2009.

The athlete-led council will identify areas for improvement and develop a set of recommendations with the goal of producing an action plan by early 2021.

The full council participant list can be found below.