COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. and DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. – April 14, 2016 – The United States Olympic Committee today announced the extension of its partnership with DeVry Education Group, a global provider of educational services. DeVry Group will continue as an official education provider of Team USA through 2020. Specifically, DeVry University and its Keller Graduate School of Management will provide undergraduate and graduate educational opportunities, a dedicated support staff and scholarship awards totaling $13.5 million between 2011 and 2020 to Team USA student athletes.
Since the partnership began in 2011, more than 240 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes and training hopefuls have enrolled across a number of DeVry’s associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. More than 125 Team USA student athletes currently are enrolled at DeVry University and its Keller Graduate School of Management and, to date, more than 45 have graduated.
“DeVry’s partnership demonstrates a deep commitment to Team USA, providing athletes with the educational support and resources needed to help them achieve their goals away from the field of play, while striving for success on it.” said Lisa Baird, USOC chief marketing officer. “For the past five years, we have seen firsthand how DeVry University can positively impact the lives of Team USA athletes, and we are very happy that DeVry will remain in the USOC family of partners through 2020.”
DeVry University was instrumental in the successful launch of the USOC’s Athlete Career and Education Program in 2014. ACE offers high-quality comprehensive career and education services aimed at enhancing performance and personal development to both current and retired Team USA athletes. DeVry University has 55+ locations across the country and a robust online environment for delivering academic instruction. The combination of course instruction on campus, online or in one of the university’s innovative new extended classrooms gives student athletes the freedom and flexibility to parallel path their athletic and professional dreams at the same time.
“Education is very important to me, so I feel a real sense of accomplishment and pride being able to earn my bachelor’s degree from DeVry University at the same time I’m chasing my dream of becoming the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in wrestling,” said Adeline Gray, Team USA wrestling athlete, who qualified this past weekend for the 2016 Games in Rio. “I’ve enjoyed so much about my experience as a DeVry student – including the challenging classes, which I can tackle online no matter where my training takes me. In fact, I’m already thinking about applying for a scholarship to pursue my master’s degree from DeVry’s Keller Graduate School of Management.”
“We at DeVry University are thrilled to extend our partnership with Team USA through 2020,” said Robert Paul, president of DeVry University. “DeVry University students are known for their grit, perseverance and ambition — a great match for aspiring Olympic and Paralympic athletes. Whether a student is a Team USA athlete going for gold in Rio or a busy parent taking classes online at night to go for gold at work, DeVry can help them achieve their educational and career goals."
About the USOC
Founded in 1894 and headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the United States Olympic Committee serves as both the National Olympic Committee and National Paralympic Committee for the United States. As such, the USOC is responsible for the training, entering and funding of U.S. teams for the Olympic, Paralympic, Youth Olympic, Pan American and Parapan American Games, while serving as a steward of the Olympic and Paralympic movements throughout the country. For more information, visit TeamUSA.org.
