Colorado Springs, Colo. (December 8, 2023)—USA Ultimate has hired Dan Raabe as its director of youth programs, the national governing body for the sport of ultimate in the United States announced today. Raabe previously served as the organization’s manager of youth and education programs from 2015 through 2019, and his return marks a key step in support of a major strategic priority in USA Ultimate’s recently revealed strategic plan – to elevate youth and grassroots ultimate.
In this newly created, director-level position, Raabe will lead and manage a team of headquarters staff and a network of volunteers and collaborate with local partners to create and foster youth programs designed to increase participation in ultimate across the country. Raabe is also tasked with building relationships with local disc organizations and youth serving groups, and he and his team will also drive diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives with the goal of developing a more diverse youth community.
“I am incredibly excited to be coming back to USA Ultimate,” said Raabe. “As an individual who has been involved with youth ultimate for more than 25 years, this is a unique opportunity to support youth ultimate. I’m blessed to once again have the opportunity to work with the staff at USA Ultimate, as well as organizations and individuals nationwide, to improve and enhance the experience for all youth players. I look forward to helping build the sport and providing more athletes the opportunity to participate and grow.”
Since leaving USA Ultimate four years ago, Raabe most recently served as the assistant principal of Neshobe School, a public elementary school in Rutland County, Vermont. A longtime educator, Raabe was also a teacher and department chair at Madison Memorial High School in Wisconsin for nearly 20 years prior to his first stint at USA Ultimate, as well as a teacher and department coordinator at Middlebury Union High School in Vermont from 2019-21.
As a volunteer, Raabe served on the board of directors for several ultimate organizations, including Vermont Ultimate (2019-23), the Vermont Youth Ultimate Coaches Association (2019-22) and the Madison Area Ultimate Frisbee Association (1999-2010), where he also served as youth chair.
While at Madison Memorial, Raabe created and ran the school’s ultimate program, building it from scratch to include five teams and 90 participants as both coach and program supervisor. He also coached the Middlebury girls’ varsity ultimate team for two seasons.
“We are very excited to have Dan rejoin the team,” said USA Ultimate Chief Executive Officer Tom Crawford. “As someone who is widely known and respected in our community, Dan brings to the role a broad base of experience from both the local and national level, as well as strong administrative and management skills. He is a passionate believer in the power of sports – and ultimate – to transform lives, and will bring this energy to work every day.”
