Sports Performance
Sports Performance
Purpose
The UCI Sport Performance model exists to optimize competitive excellence while fostering student-athlete long-term health, development, and well-being through an integrated, evidence-based, and data informed approach.
John Abdou - Associate AD - Health, Wellness, & Sport Performance
UC Irvine announced the hiring of John Abdou as the Associate Athletic Director for Health, Wellness and Sports Performance in October of 2022.
"I'd like to thank the search committee for the excellent work in selecting John for this important position," Athletic Director Paula Smith said. "The health, wellness and performance of our student-athletes are a priority and the ability to hire someone with John's skill-set will facilitate and elevate the complete health care model here at UCI.
Abdou comes to UCI after serving as the Chief Sport Performance Officer for USA Water Polo since 2017.
"I want to thanks Paula Smith, Paul Hope, and the entire search committee for the opportunity to come home to my alma mater and serve in this new leadership role," Abdou said. "They have prioritized the integration of support services to enhance the student-athletes' performance on and off the field of play and that will pay dividends on many levels. I am excited to start this new chapter in my career as it is a unique nexus of my life's work and experiences. I'm grateful and ready for the challenge as UCI is a place that means so much to me and my family."
He has been an integral part of USA Water Polo, also holding the position of High Performance Director from 2013-2017. He was a co-chair for the USAWP Task Force on Racial Equity and Reform as well as served on the United States Olympic and Paralympic Council on Racial and Social Justice.
While at USAWAP, Team USA has had unprecedented success. The women's team won gold medals at the 2012, 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games, as well as the men's and women's teams capturing gold medals at the 2015 and 2019 Pan American Games, plus nine combined medals at FINA World League Super Finals, Women's World Cups gold medals in 2014 and 2018, and number of combined medals at the World University Games, Junior and Youth International competitions. Abdou has also overseen the growth of the Olympic Development Program, more than tripling the number of athletes involved in the process from start to finish and overseen the development of the nation's first digital water polo coaching manual and Mobile Coaching App., establishing the largest resource for coach development in the world.
Abdou has served as the Executive Director of the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches since 2015, overseeing the growth and development of the organization. He also serves on the FINA Development Sub-Committee, which supports the growth and development of water polo globally. Over the last eight years, he has been the event chairman of international events across the country and globe.
He is an experienced coach, leading UC Santa Barbara as the Associate Head Men's Coach (2011-2013), and at Bucknell (2005-210), coaching both the men's and women's programs.
Abdou comes home to UCI, earning degrees in sociology, psychology, and education in 2001 while competing in water polo for the Anteaters.
He went on to add a master's degree in higher education from Bucknell University in 2012 as well as a certificate in Olympic Nonprofit Leadership at the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management in 2019.
Head women's basketball coach Tamara Inoue, a member of the search committee, said:
"I believe John will come in and make an immediate impact with his knowledge of resources that will benefit our student-athletes beyond what is already provided for them. His passion and love for UC Irvine speaks volumes and I'm excited to work alongside him."
UCI Director of Water Polo Dan Klatt worked with Abdou at USA Water Polo and knows the value that Abdou will bring to the Anteaters.
"We are getting a proven leader in the field of sports performance that has produced multiple medal winning teams and ran an entire organization with a membership of 50,000 people," Klatt noted. "He has a vested interest in UCI and improving what it offers its student-athletes and how they perform."
Jaime Potter - Associate AD of Sport Performance
Jaime Potter joined UC Irvine Athletics as Assistant Athletic Director/Director of Sports Medicine in October of 2022
Potter served as the Assistant Athletic Director of Sports Medicine at Cal State Fullerton prior to joining the Anteaters. She spent nine years in Fullerton arriving as an Assistant Athletic Trainer in 2013 before moving into the Interim Director of Sports Medicine role in 2020-21, and assumed the position full time after helping to guide the Titans return during the pandemic.
Along with the organization and administration of the sports medicine team, Potter co-created and oversaw the Athletics Mental Health BIT team and has been instrumental in growing the Titan Athletics Mental Health screens over the past six years in collaboration with the Student Health Center. She collaborated and assisted in the clinical education of master athletic training students since the transition for Cal State Fullerton into a Master's of Science in Athletic Training Program.
While at Cal State Fullerton, Potter also served as Senior Women's Administrator and was a part-time lecturer in Kinesiology. As the SWA, she was the Deputy Title IX Coordinator, served on Big West Council and supported and managed gender equity and Title IX matters. She was the CSUF Chair of the Athletic Equity and a member of the Athletic Advisory Council prior to her departure, and had been a member of the CSUF Mental Health Task Force member from 2019-22.
Potter is a leader among her peers as well. She was a member of the National Athletic Trainers' Association's Convention Programing Committee for the last five years that creates and outlines the continuing education for certified Athletic Trainers at the national level.
Potter attended the University of Akron, earning her bachelor of science degree in Science in Education in 2003 and went on to claim a master's in Sports Science and Coaching in 2005.
"I want to thank Paula Smith, Paul Hope and Erica Monteabaro for the opportunity to help grow and continue to build a culture of student-athlete wellbeing that prioritizes academic success, mental health support, and diverse and inclusive environments," Potter said. "Knowing and understanding UCI Athletics' history of extremely competitive success with a focus on the education, personal growth, and welfare of their student-athletes makes me very excited to continue my growth as an Assistant Athletic Director of Sports Medicine in this next incredible chapter of my career."
Mission Statement
Dalton White
Holly Bosley
Gail Usher
Brad Greene
TBA
Mission Statement
- At the UC Irvine Sports Medicine Department, our mission is to deliver exceptional, empathetic healthcare through a commitment to continuity and preventative care. We focus on employing evidence-based practices to ensure our student-athletes remain healthy, confident, and ready to perform at their best. By fostering an inclusive environment and prioritizing holistic care, we aim to support our athletes in achieving their full potential and preparing them for long-term success.
Georgia Denny - Sr. ATC | Men's Water Polo, Men's Volleyball
Georgia joined the Sports Medicine Staff at UCI during the 2019-2020 athletic season. Her primary coverage is with men's and women’s water polo teams.
A native of Pittsburgh, PA, Georgia earned her Bachelors of Science degree in athletic training from Mercyhurst University, Erie PA in 2016. Upon graduating with her Bachelors, Georgia attended Plymouth State University in New Hampshire where she worked as Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer while studying to earn her Masters of Science in Post Professional Athletic Training with a concentration in Higher Education. As a GA, Georgia worked with the women’s field hockey and softball teams for the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons.
BJ Capili - Sr. ATC | Men's Soccer, Men's Tennis
BJ returned to the UC Irvine Sports Medicine staff in the Summer of 2021. His primary sports are Men’s Soccer and Men’s Tennis but has had the opportunity to work with a variety of sports while at UCI.
A graduate of Cal State Fullerton with a degree in Kinesiology in 2007, he went on to receive a Master’s in Athletic Training degree at A.T. Still University – Arizona School of Health Sciences in 2009. While in Tempe, he spent time as a graduate assistant working with the Arizona State University XC/Track and Field teams. Before coming back to UC Irvine, he spent 2 years as an assistant Athletic Trainer at UC Santa Cruz working with the men’s soccer, men’s basketball, and men’s and women’s tennis.
BJ resides in Long Beach with his wife Jennifer and 2 kids, Benjamin and Charlotte.
Rachelle Cyrus - Sr. ATC | Women's Basketball
A native of Oakville, Ontario, Canada, Rachelle earned her Bachelors of Science degree in athletic training from San Diego State University, in San Diego in 2017.
Upon graduating with her Bachelors, Rachelle attended Azusa Pacific University where she worked as a Graduate Intern Athletic Trainer while studying to earn her Masters of Science in Physical Education with an emphasis in Sport Management. As a Graduate Intern Rachelle worked with the acrobatics and tumbling, women’s swim and dive and football teams. Upon graduating with her Master’s, in 2019, Rachelle was hired as an Assistant Athletic Trainer at Azusa Pacific University, and primarily worked with the women’s and men’s track and field and cross country teams through the end of 2023 season.
Nicole Lopez | Women's Water Polo, Women's Volleyball
Nicole returned to the UC Irvine Sports Medicine staff in the fall of 2012. Her primary sports are women’s volleyball and track & field, but has had the opportunity to work with a variety of sports while at UCI.
She was the athletic trainer for UCI's men's volleyball National Championship team in 2013.
A graduate of UC Irvine with a degree in Sociology in 2005, she went on to receive a Master’s in Athletic Training degree at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in 2010. While in Lubbock, she spent time with the Texas Tech XC/Track and field teams as well as area high schools and an orthopedic clinic. Before coming back to UC Irvine, she spent a one+ year internship at UC Davis working with the XC/Track and field teams for 2 seasons.
In her free time, likes to spend time with family/friends, watch various sporting events especially UCI, watch movies, and visit Disneyland when her schedule permits. Originally from Orange County.
Connie Kuei | Women's Soccer, Women's Tennis
Connie Kuei joined the UCI Sports Medicine staff in 2020.
Kuei received her undergraduate degree in athletic training from California State University, Fullerton in 2012. She went on to pursue her master’s degree in human physiology from the University of Oregon in 2014 while working at a high school, along with women’s soccer and acrobatics and tumbling at UO. She continued to work acrobatics and tumbling at Baylor University before moving back to California.
She has a dog named Finley.
Kimberly Christensen | Men's Basketball
Kimberly joined the UC Irvine Sports Medicine Staff in the Summer of 2022. Her primary sports are Women’s Volleyball and Men’s Golf.
A graduate of San Diego State University with a degree in Athletic Training in 2020, she had the opportunity to work with multiple teams at SDSU and USD. She went on to receive a Master’s in Kinesiology from San Jose State University in 2022. While working on her graduate degree, Kimberly worked as a graduate assistant athletic trainer at Menlo College with Men’s and Women’s soccer and golf.
Originally from the Bay Area, Kimberly is enjoying living in Irvine, going to the beach, and trying new food places.
Justin Hostert | Men's Golf, Women's Golf
Aitana Rivera | Track & Field, Cross Country
Cristian Delgado | Baseball
Fred Atienza - Insurance Coordinator
Originally an Anteater for his undergrad, Fred came back to UC Irvine in August 2019.
Prior to him joining the UC Irvine Athletics program, he spent 4 years working in healthcare administration at the UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center and UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center in the Los Angeles area.
He returns to Irvine to assist student-athletes in coordinating their healthcare, interfacing with sports medicine physicians, and expanding the medical network for the sports medicine program.
Originally from Seattle, Washington
