Octagon Speakers
Coaching the best American swimmer to Olympic greatness might not be easy, but it has been worth it. Bob Bowman achieved great success at the international level as personal coach for the Olympic Legend, Michael Phelps. Under the passionate coaching of Bowman, Phelps has won 22 Olympic Medals over 3 Games (18 of which are gold). Bowman's contribution to the sport has been awarded with the USA Swimming Developmental Coach of the Year and the ASCA Coach of the Year Award. Tweet
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Coming from the juniors as a 15-year-old, Michael Chang charged onto the international tennis scene setting numerous "youngest player records" and shocked the world by upsetting Ivan Lendl and Stefan Egberg in the French Open to become the youngest player in history to win a Grand Slam event. Utilizing tremendous speed and strong determination, Chang was one of the best counter punchers of all time and remained in the Top 10 in the ATP world rankings for several years in the 1990s. Chang retired from the professional tour in 2003 but continues to play at the senior level. His stunning victory at Roland Garros continues to resonate within the golf world today, as Chang was recently featured on CNN where he reminisced on the 23-year anniversary of his historic win. Tweet
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A three-time Olympian and gold and broze medalist, Kelly is the most dominant and accomplished female snowboarder in the world. Best Female Action Sport Athlete by ESPN and Best Female Athlete nominee by Nickelodeon Kids Choice, Jelly hasn't lost a competition in two years. Her "go big" technique, which translates to "giving it your all" pushes the envelope and motivates both male and female competitors in her sport. Kelly delivers a heartfelt presentation that is sincere and delivers a messaged fouces on teamwork, collaboration and "giving back" to your community and those that help you succeed. Tweet
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One of the most well-rounded swimmers ever, Natalie Coughlin combines power, speed and beauty. One of the poster faces of the 2004 USA Olympic team, Coughlin bought pride to her nation with her performance. Coughlin left the 2004 Olympic Games as the most decorated female athlete, having won a total of five medals. At the 2007 World Championships, the biggest international swimming event leading up to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Coughlin finished as the world’s most decorated female swimmer in World Championship history. Coughlin’s success at the 2007 World Championships followed her to Beijing, where at the 2008 Olympics, she won an astounding 6 medals, a first for any woman athlete at the games. At the 2012 Olympic Games in London, Coughlin won a bronze medal and tied the previously set record for the most career Olympic medals won by a female U.S. athlete at 12. Coughlin was also a contestant on the popular reality show Dancing with the Stars, which has been the...
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Jennie Finch was one of People magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People” and was ESPN.com’s “Hottest Female Athlete”, but to write her off as just a pretty face would be a serious mistake. Being a good role model and a strong woman comes before everything else. Success has come in heaps for Finch who has stunning accomplishments as a softball pitcher, an entertainer and model, and most importantly, as a loving wife and mother. Finch is an active speaker, having been the keynote at college ceremonies, conferences, and corporate events, and is experienced with media tours and on-air work as well. Tweet
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During the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney, Rulon Gardner cemented his spot in Olympics history by providing the world with an inspirational and unforgettable story that perfectly captures the spirit of the Games. Pulling off what is now remembered as the “Miracle on the Mat,” Gardner did the unimaginable and upset the previous 13-year undefeated and three-time Olympic champion, Alexander Karelin, to capture the Greco-Roman wrestling gold medal. A contestant on NBC's "The Biggest Loser" in 2011, Gardner was a favorite to win the competition, but left the show to return home to pursue an Olympic comback. The National Wrestling Hall of Famer lost 200 pounds during the season, nearly 11 years after stunning the nation with his Cinderella success story. For the average person, a comeback of this caliber would be too trying, but for Rulon Gardner, it’s just part of his lifelong journey of perseverance through physical and personal challenges. Tweet
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A true pioneer in women's sports, Cammi Granato captained the first U.S. Olympic Women's Ice Hockey Team and became the first woman inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. A broadcaster for NBC's NHL and Olympic coverage, Granato is a polished speaker on a variety of topics including breaking down barriers. Tweet
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At the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, Chris Klug captured the hearts of millions worldwide as he became the first organ transplant recipient to ever compete in an Olympic Games and win an Olympic medal. A three-time Olympic snowboarder and medalist, today Klug's international travels expand beyond the field of competition as he visits people from all over the world and shares his awe-inspiring life sotry, "To The Edge and Back." Tweet
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An immigrant from the Ukraine, Krazyzelburg overcam many obstacles from his childhood to become one of the greatest backstrokers of all time. He can share his insights and memories of his jouney to Olympic stardom with any type of audience. Tweet
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As the official spokesperson and voice of the U.S. Olympic Movement for a quarter century, Mike Moran was at the forefront of every celebrated victory and controversial event in Olympic history from 1978-2003. His "Moments, Medals, and Memories - An Olympic Journey" presentation relives some of the most trying and triumphant events in Olympic history such as The 1980 Miracle on Ice, The Tonya Harding-Nancy Kerrigan saga and two Olympic boycotts. Mike provides a behind-the-scenes perspective as to how some of the most memorable events in Olympic history unfolded. Tweet
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Olympic gold medalist and three-time World Champion, Dan O'Brien dominated the 1990's and was known as the "World's Greatest Athlete." Adopted at age two, diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). raised with seven siblings, of which five were also adopted and of racially mixed backgrounds, Dan credits his upbringing for his competitive spirit, work ethich, determinanation, resilience and for providing him with the tools for overcoming adversity. Today, O'Brien trains professional and collegiate level athletes and works as a broadcaster for ESPN, NBC, and Yahoo! Sports. His speaking presentations vary from motivational speaking engagements for business groups to health and wellness messages aimed at adults, youth and kids at risk. Tweet
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Not your typical mother of three children, Debbie Phelps has juggled between raising her children, teaching, and social service work. She is recognized as an innovative, energetic, talented leader and master teacher with nearly three decades of education experience. She co-chairs and has participated in public service announcements for the “One Campaign” for the Harford County Boys and Girls Clubs of America. During her teaching career in both counties she held many responsibilities including, but not limited to, the following: department chair, team leader, acting content leader, and co-coordinator of a Summer Institute. Watching Debbie live through the excitement of Michael's eighteen gold medal races in the Olympics quickly became "must-see TV." She exemplified what every American was feeling as Michael captured a piece of Olympic history. JOHNSON'S ® Baby recognized Debbie's devotion to her children by naming her "Mom of the Olympic Game." Debbie has also authored a book...
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Michael Phelps has been making waves in the world of sports since he was young. Phelps has won 18 Olympic gold medals, the most by any Olympian. In the Beijing Olympics in 2008, he took home eight gold medals, setting a new record for the most gold medals won at a single Olympics. He tied the record for the most medals at a single Olympics in the 2004 Athens Summer Olympic Games when he earned six gold medals and eight medals overall. In his final Olympic appearance in London, Phelps finished with a grand total of 22 medals, making him the most-decorated Olympian of all time. Already a sports legend at the age of 27, he has been named World Swimmer of the Year a total of six times. He was the first American male swimmer to make four Olympic teams. Phelps holds several World Records in addition to his many other awards. Although he is young, Phelps has already had a lifetime of experiences—in the pool and out. He founded “Swim with the Stars”—the first ever Olympic Swimming Tour that...
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The world's fastest female marathoner, Paula Radcliffe is also one of Britain's most popular athletes. Radcliffe won the World Half-Marathon Championships in both 2000 and 2001, and the 2001 World Cross Country Championship long-course run. In 2002 she placed first in eight out of nine competitions, including the Flora London Marathon and the Chicago Marathon, at which she broke the women's world record. Radcliffe continued her success in 2003, when she defended her title at the London Marathon, shaving nearly two minutes off her previous world-record score. Radcliffe claimed back-to-back New York City Marathon titles. In 2008, she was also given the distinct honor of being inducted as a member of the "Most Excellent Order of the British Empire." In addition to her athletic prowess, Radcliffe has been involved with several charitable endeavors, including recently launching the "Fairy Dishes of Best Wishes" competition to encourage the people of Ireland to show their support for...
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One of the top centers of his era, David “The Admiral” Robinson was a marvel of a basketball player and a respected figure off the court. A lean, muscular, 7'1" athlete, he was fast, strong and agile. In his first six NBA seasons he won Rookie of the Year, NBA MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards, in addition to a rebounding title, a scoring crown, six All-Star bids, three selections to the All-NBA First Team and three selections to the NBA All-Defensive First Team. . Robinson's lasting legacy was also defined by his status as one of the pre-eminent philanthropists in all of professional sports. On March 23, 2003, NBA Commissioner David Stern announced that future winners of the NBA Community Assist Award would receive the David Robinson Plaque, with the inscription, "Following the standard set by NBA Legend David Robinson, who improved the community piece by piece." Robinson's lasting legacy continues to be remembered today, as he was recently profiled on the NBA TV...
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A four-time Olympic medalist, and Harvard University graduate, Angela Ruggiero was just 18 when she won Olympic gold in 1998 - the year women's ice hockey made its debut in the Olympics. Ruggiero also became the first famale non-goalie to play professional hockey in the United States. Ruggiero appeared as a contestant on the sixth season of the NBC show, "The Apprentice," and despite being "fired" late in the game, she impressed Donald Trump with ingenuity and business skills, resulting in an offical offer from the real-estate tycoon. A prominent member of the IOC's Athlete's Commission and Coordination Commissioner for the 2016 Youth Olympic Games, Ruggiero is a seasoned speaker, having presented to various corporations and international groups. Tweet
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Cael Sanderson is one of the most decorated collegiate wrestlers of all-time. After a successful collegiate career, Sanderson has continued his dominance onto to world and Olympic circuits. During his time on the Iowa State wrestling team, Sanderson became only the second four-time NCAA Champion. Sports Illustrated named his undefeated career at Iowa State as the number two most outstanding achievement in the history of collegiate athletics. After his time at Iowa State, Sanderson went on to compete in his first Olympic Games in 2004, winning a gold medal. Sanderson later turned to coaching and led his alma mater to three consecutive Big 12 titles from 2007-2009, while also receiving Big 12 coach of the year honors. As current Head Wrestling Coach at Penn State University, Sanderson has won Big Ten coach of the year honors twice, making him the first coach to receive the award in both the Big Ten and Big 12. Sanderson has guided Penn State to back-to-back National Championships in...
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Beating what many said were impossible odds in one of the biggest upsets in Olympic history, Wilkinson, starting in eitgth place and with a broken foot, came from behind to win the 2000 Olympic platform gold medal over the heavily favored Chinese. Today, she inspires people from a differnt platform. A devoted Christian, her "Leap of Faith" presentation is tailored for faith-based organizations, while her corporate speaking presentations include topics suited for business groups such as; turning frustration into foucs, achieving goals despite obstacles and moving out of one's comfort zone. Tweet
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