Nikki Jost, the Olympic Development Manager for USA Water Polo has left to resume her academic career and further enhance her professional opportunities. Jost was among the few selected into the prestigious two year dual degree MBA/ MS in Sports Management program offered at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.
Jost started with USA Water Polo in March 2007 beginning as the National Teams Manager and advanced within the newly created Olympic Development Department to assume her most recent role. In her tenure at USAWP, there was a great deal of success for the Men's and Women's National Teams, unparalleled financial stability and the massive launching of the Olympic Development Department and specifically ODP.
"This is a tremendous opportunity for Nikki. This is the perfect situation for the trajectory of her professional career path and I couldn't be happier for her," said Guy Baker, Director of Olympic Development. Baker continued to say, "Nikki will be greatly missed, I have thoroughly enjoyed our time together and it is an experience I will always cherish. The successful launch of ODP and the reorganization of the National Teams is a testament to her work ethic, perseverance and intelligence."
While at USA Water Polo, Jost covered all facets of National Teams operations including event logistics, budgets, travel, apparel, competition entry, and much more. In addition she was a vital cog in other aspects of USA Water Polo including volunteer recruitment and National Team events such as the, USA Water Polo Golf Tournament and the first Olympic Development Summit held earlier this year.
"Though I am excited to begin the graduate school program at UMass, I will always remember my time spent at USA Water Polo. I am very grateful for all the wonderful opportunities I experienced over the last 2 years, and I am honored to have worked with the world's best athletes. My experiences at USA Water Polo have not only helped prepare me for graduate school but they have also enabled me to grow professionally. I am thrilled that I will also be able to continue with USA Water Polo as the ODP Northeast Zone Coordinator," said Jost.
"As an organization, we are committed to our members' personal growth, so although we already miss Nikki, we are also thrilled that she was accepted to such a prestigious program and is taking this kind of positive step to enhance her professional qualifications and her future," said Christopher Ramsey, USAWP CEO.
Jost arrived at USA Water Polo from US Figure Skating where she served as the US Teams Coordinator. In her new adventure, she will serve as a graduate assistant in the Sports Management department at the University of Massachusetts while obtaining dual masters degrees.
