The international BOD of Special Olympics has appointed DAVID EVANGELISTA as the global movement’s new President & CEO, effective January 1, 2026. Evangelista will succeed MARY DAVIS, who is retiring on Dec. 31 after 10 years in the role and 47 years of involvement with Special Olympics. Currently, Evangelista serves as the President & Managing Dir of Special Olympics Europe Eurasia (Special Olympics).
The Bears signed GM RYAN POLES to a “contract extension that will keep him with the team for the next five seasons.” The extension reportedly will “match the length of Poles’ contract with that of new coach BEN JOHNSON” through 2029 (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 7/13).
Rockets G FRED VANVLEET has been elected president of the NBPA during the annual summer meeting of the Board of Player Representatives. VanVleet’s four-year term will begin immediately. He will transition into the role with guidance from Wizards G CJ MCCOLLUM, who served on the Exec Committee for seven years and president for four (NBPA).
Former West Virginia Univ. AD OLIVER LUCK has been appointed to the WVU Board of Governors by West Virginia Gov. PATRICK MORRISSEY (WVRC, 7/11).
Warriors G MOSES MOODY and Grizzlies F SANTI ALDAMA have been named to the NBPA’s Board of Directors (NBPA).
MLS named ALICIA LAPORTA Dir/Match Day Operations & Administration. LaPorta spent the last three years at Cal, most recently as Assistant AD/Olympic Sports Operations (SBJ).
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