Colorado Springs, Colo. (January 27, 2026) – USA Ultimate, the national governing body for the sport of ultimate in the United States and member of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, announced today the election or appointment of four individuals to its 13-person board of directors: DeAnna Ball, Tom Osenton, Nicky Spiva, and Marvin Vuong.
USA Ultimate members elected Marvin Vuong (Fort Collins, Colo.) to an at-large seat and Nicky Spiva (Philadelphia, Pa.) as an elite athlete representative. Spiva ran unopposed.
The board of directors also appointed Tom Osenton (Palm Desert, Calif.) as an independent member and reconfirmed current board vice president DeAnna Ball (Columbus, Ohio) as an appointed member. All four individuals will serve a term that runs from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2028.
Osenton replaces outgoing independent member Mike Edmonds (Colorado Springs, Colo..), who recently completed three consecutive three-year terms. As an independent appointee, Osenton has an extensive sports background, having played Division I hockey at the University of New Hampshire where he earned a degree in journalism. He later served as Bob Johnson’s assistant coach at the University of Wisconsin where he helped the Badgers capture the 1981 NCAA Division I Championship. Osenton also worked in key roles at three Olympic Games — serving as Press Chief for ice hockey at the 1980 Winter Olympics and as network spokesperson for the ABC Television Network at both the 1984 Winter and Summer Olympics.
Osenton has authored three best-selling business books on growth, saturation, and sustainability and in 2013 he and his partner launched Sun Valley Strategic, Inc. SVS was founded with the specific objective to help nonprofits develop and execute growth strategies across all revenue sources. Osenton brings extensive expertise in the areas of strategic planning, membership development, grant development, and database marketing and has worked with organizations such as USA Hockey, Little League Baseball International and the United States Tennis Association.
Incoming elite athlete representative Spiva fills the slot vacated by Caleb Denecour. Spiva has competed at the highest levels on both the national and world stage. First introduced to ultimate as a junior in High School, Spiva then played for Colorado College, competing at the D-I Championships in 2011. He has extensive experience playing elite club ultimate with teams including D.C. Truckstop and Philadelphia AMP, and played two seasons in the AUDL (now UFA) semi-pro league.
Named a World Games alternate in 2013 and 2017, Spiva has played as a member of several USA Ultimate National Teams. An experienced leader, Spiva competed on the bronze winning mixed division National Team at the 2015 World Beach Championships, both captained and played on the 2016 World Ultimate Championships mixed division team that took gold, and once again captained and played on the bronze winning mixed division team at the 2023 World Beach Championships as well. Spiva was also named to the Open National Team for the cancelled 2020 World Ultimate Championships. Additional international success includes four appearances at World Club Championships including taking gold with Washington Descent at the 2022 World Masters Ultimate Club Championships.
Outside of ultimate Spiva works as a policy writer and reporter, is completing a graduate degree in public administration, and brings professional expertise in the areas of strategic planning, oversight and evaluation, budgeting, and management.
Newly elected member Vuong won the at-large election ahead of fellow candidates Michael Lapin and Andrew Schwartz. — and replaces outgoing board member Jimmy Donnellon. Vuong works in market research and finance, and is currently engaged in price management with a focus on long term growth. He brings experience as an ultimate player, coach and observer and is committed to seeing the sport develop at all levels, from the local to the elite.
Ball returns for a fourth term having previously served two terms as an elected member from 2013 to 2018 and one term as an appointed member starting in 2023. As a longtime player, coach and volunteer, she has worn many hats in the ultimate community, including previously serving as board president and as National Women’s Director for USA Ultimate.
