USA Roller Sports Has a New Director

August 15, 2000 USARS press release by Bill Wolf
LINCOLN, Neb. -- As the world enters into a new millennium, USA Roller Sports also begins a new chapter in its history of competitive roller-skating, both nationally and internationally.

Lou Marciani

Louis (Lou) Marciani, who holds a doctorate in education, and formerly of Cherry Hill, N.J., will now command the rudder of USA Roller Sports as Executive Director. Marciani, who has compiled an extensive background nationally in sports management and administration, assumes his new position immediately.

If moving half way across the United States to tackle his new position was not stressful enough, Marciani arrived in Lincoln in the midst of the 64th annual National In-line Speed and Artistic Skating Championships, which began July 26 and runs through Aug. 16 at Lincoln's Pershing Auditorium.

Armed with a strong background in marketing and fund-raising, Marciani said he's excited about joining the national governing body because roller skating has so much to offer from the recreational level to the World level of competition. "I want to be part of the United States Olympic Committee's (USOC) movement, currently one of more than 40 sports, and at the same time to assist bringing forward the opportunity to enjoy roller skating," he said. "My expertise is marketing and I want to take advantage of those marketing skills."

Entering his new position with USARS, Marciani said his agenda includes providing vision and direction for the sport. "One of my goals is to position roller skating in a prominent and credible role within the USOC movement," he said. "It enhances the USOC itself by strengthening one of its own sports."

Marciani said properly 'branding our sport' in the eyes of the nation and the world is critical to move forward into the 21st century. "Changing the name to USA Roller Sports was an important move and I applaud Gary Castro, chairman of the USARS board of directors and the entire five-year planning committee for their decision to change our name," he said. "We have a chance right now to move our sport into world prominence. It's a big challenge and an awesome responsibility, but I'm excited about the potential our sport offers and the new opportunities that exist for us."

Giving equal attention to all disciplines of competitive roller skating (roller hockey, speed and roller figure skating) also is a major part of his agenda. "We need to work with the rink owners, as well as the skaters," he said. "Rink owners also love the sport and it's our job to assist in creating potential opportunities for them as well."

Marciani, whose most recent sports administrative positions include Athletic Director at Western Kentucky University (Bowling Green, Ky.) from 1991-1993, Executive Director of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) from 1993-95, Athletic Director at Drexel University (Philadelphia, Pa.), from 1995-99, and most recently was director of sales and the marketing-event management division for Octagon Marketing in Stamford, Conn.

During his tenure as head of the AAU, Marciani said his efforts to move the AAU national office from Indianapolis, Ind., to Orlando, Fla., was one of his grandest moments. "No doubt about it, working with the AAU board to put together the Walt Disney Project was a major accomplishment," said Marciani. "The organization wanted a permanent site for its national championships. The move to Orlando and the sports complex now provides the AAU a great setting for athletic competition."

He also was Associate Athletic Director for External Affairs at the University of Southern Mississippi (Hattiesburg, Miss.), Athletic Director at East Stroudsburg University (East Stroudsburg, Pa.), Athletic Director and Director of Physical Education at Salisbury State University (Salisbury, Md.) and Director of Recreational Sports at the University of Southern Mississippi.

Marciani and his wife, Sandra, are the parents of four children; Todd, Chris, Jennifer and Justin who will be a freshman this fall at the University of Southern Mississippi. Todd, Chris and Jennifer also attended and graduated from Southern Mississippi.

A graduate of the University of Charleston, Marciani earned his masters degree from the University of Bridgeport and his doctorate degree at the University of Southern Mississippi.

Marciani replaces recently retired George Pickard, who diligently served the National Governing Body of competitive roller-skating since being named corporate secretary in 1970 and later as executive director.

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