Staff

Link will open in a new windowMolly QuinnLink will open in a new window  
Chief Executive Officer

As the first CEO of the United States Association of Blind Athletes, Molly provides oversight for association staff, operations, financials, fundraising, membership, brand, and reputation. She works with the board, staff, members, and other stakeholders to develop, implement, and achieve the strategic plan to increase membership, expand programs, and develop new revenue streams, among other goals. Molly also ensures a continued collaborative relationship with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) and other NGBs like US Soccer Federation. In the first two years of her tenure, Molly led the organization to become certified as the National Governing Body for the Paralympic team sports of Goalball and Blind Football (domestically known as Blind Soccer), named the first-ever USA Blind Soccer Men’s National Team, and launched the USABA Sport Ambassador Program to create expanded opportunities for athletes. She has over 20 years of progressive experience in sales, sports marketing and philanthropy. Prior to joining USABA, Molly served as vice president, fitness and endurance partnerships with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. She is a lifelong sports devotee and is a masters swimmer who competes in open-water swimming competitions.

Email Molly: mquinn@usaba.org

Lance SarabiaLink will open in a new window  
Integrated Marketing Manager

Lance is responsible for developing and executing an integrated marketing plan that aligns with the organization’s dual mission. With a focus on both digital and traditional media channels, he implements and optimizes the marketing strategy while creating and managing USABA’s digital ecosystem. Within this process, he oversees adapting new channels to engage the membership and donor community, as well as exploring new channels to bring awareness to events. This includes collaboration with major brands, sponsors, athletes, and events. In his previous roles, he was responsible for the management and marketing operations at K-Swiss Global Brands and USA Field Hockey. He attended California State University Northridge and holds a bachelor’s degree in electronic media management. Outside of his professional career, he is an active International Field Hockey Umpire, with over 50 international caps, and helps mentor and train officials within the NCAA.

Email Lance: lsarabia@usaba.org

Catherine Raney NormanLink will open in a new window  
Grants Manager

Catherine Raney Norman is a four-time Olympian in the sport of long-track speed skating. After her retirement in 2010, she has remained actively involved with the Olympic and Paralympic Movement. Catherine has over 10 years of non-profit and fundraising experience working with various organizations, including the Sundance Institute, US Ski and Snowboard Foundation, Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation, University of Utah Health, USA Climbing, and US Biathlon. She has attended Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management Center for Non-Profit Management, Plus Delta Partners, and is a Certified Fund Raising Executive. Catherine currently serves as chair for the Salt Lake City – Utah Committee for the Games to help bring the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games back to Utah. She also co-chairs the Athletes Advisory Council for this effort. Outside of the Olympic and Paralympic Movement, she loves hanging on her mountain with her husband, two pups, and little man River.

Email Catherine: craneynorman@usaba.org

Liesl BegnaudLink will open in a new window  
Education and Community Outreach Manager

Liesl is responsible for managing, leading and executing USABA’s blind soccer and goalball education certification for coaches and referees. Additionally, she connects with the blind and visually impaired community through memberships, clubs and adaptive recreation programs to create meaningful and safe partnerships. Joining USABA in 2024, Liesl has been coaching para triathlon since 2017. She completed her MS in therapeutic recreation in 2020 from SUNY Cortland and is a certified therapeutic recreation specialist. Before USABA, Liesl worked with Denver, Ft. Collins and Loveland Parks and Adaptive Recreation programs. A Colorado native, she enjoys coaching and racing triathlon, hiking and camping.

Email Liesl: lbegnaud@usaba.org

Karen Zabel
USA Goalball Women’s Development Coordinator

Karen is a two-time Paralympian in the sports of goalball and track & field. As the USA Goalball women’s development coordinator, she is responsible for assisting the director of sport performance and the U.S. women’s goalball coaches in identifying and helping to develop elite goalball players for the USA Goalball Women’s Team. Karen also works as a facility dog handler and child advocate for the Delaware County Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program, and enjoys traveling, good food and helping others.

Email Karen: khzabel@gmail.com

John Potts
Assistant Coach, U.S. Women’s Goalball Team

John has assisted with the operation and play of the women’s national goalball team since 2018. He began volunteer work with USABA in 1994 serving in many capacities including program development and coaching, and internationally as a coach, team leader, delegation leader and chef de mission. John began working with the goalball program in 2003 when he helped the men’s team qualify for the 2004 Paralympic Games and earn a bronze medal. He has continued to work with the Paralympic goalball program since that time. As assistant coach of the women’s national team, John’s work contributed to their silver medal finish at the 2020 Paralympic Games. Additionally, he coaches a club team that competes in the national goalball program. John also serves as secretary of the goalball subcommittee for the International Blind Sports Federation where he plays a vital role in the continued growth of the sport. John lives in Shiloh, Ill., and enjoys running and cycling.

Email Coach Potts: jpotts2205@sbcglobal.net

Keith Young   
Head Coach, U.S. Men’s Goalball Team

Keith works at the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind (FSDB) as a physical education teacher. He coaches the USA Men’s National Team at international and domestic competitions. Keith has served as the USA Deaflympic Taekwondo Team Head Coach, on the World Taekwondo Para Education Committee, and was a USA National Para Taekwondo Team Coach. In 2015, Keith led the FSDB Boys Goalball Team to the 2018 USABA National High School Goalball Championships. In 2019, Keith led the U.S. Men’s Goalball Team to the silver medal at the ParaPan Am Games in Lima, Peru, thus qualifying for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games. When he’s not coaching, Keith enjoys spending time with family, reading, presenting at physical education conferences, and talking to organizations that serve the blind and visually impaired. Keith is married to his wife, Sam. They have a daughter, Abbey, who is a college student and works as a lifeguard.

Email Coach Young: kyoung@usaba.org

James Wallace   
Assistant Coach, U.S. Men’s Goalball Team

James works at Priority Toyota in Chesapeake, Va. He assists Coach Keith Young in the day-to-day development and play of the men’s national team, plus game analytics. James was introduced to goalball by his grandson, Christian King, in 2017 and started coaching the DC Eagles in 2018, helping them rise from a developmental team to the elite bracket. In 2019, James helped the U.S. Men’s National Team to a silver medal at the Parapan American Games in Lima, Peru, and qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games. James has been married to his wife Jayne for 35 years and she is a stay-at-home mother and grandmother. They reside in Virginia Beach, Va., along with his two children, Michael and Stephanie, and four grandchildren. James is an avid hunter and enjoys camping with his wife, long-distance shooting and the great outdoors.

Email Coach Wallace: jwallace@usaba.org

Linda Welborn
Goalball Coordinator

Linda is responsible for supporting the National Goalball Team head coaches by managing the administrative duties necessary in the planning and implementation of the USABA goalball program. She ensures that all athletes, coaches, and officials have current SafeSport, background checks, concussion training, and USABA membership before attending any sanctioned event. She also assists with grassroots development of goalball programs, educating coaches, players and officials to ensure beginner programs have what they need to be successful. Linda is also an international Level 3 official and head U.S. goalball official.  She is responsible for scheduling goalball officials for each regional tournament and overseeing the recruitment and development of new officials. Linda is currently developing a “Goalball Map” which shows the location of players and teams across the U.S. to help interested parties get connected with groups in their area.

Email Linda: lwelborn@usaba.org

Ryan Lazaroe
Interim Head Coach, USA Blind Soccer Men’s National Team

Ryan played collegiately for the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs and has held numerous coaching positions including associate head coach with the New Orleans Jesters (semi-professional), director of coaching for Slidell Soccer Club, director of coaching education for the state of Louisiana, Region III head coach with the Olympic Development Program, assistant coach with the Sewanee: The University of the South, high school coach with Northshore High School, coaching instructor for the US Soccer Federation and United Soccer Coaches, and head coach with the SuperClubs National Team. He graduated from the United States Sports Academy in 2009 with a B.S.S. in sports coaching. He currently holds his USSF A license, NSCAA premier diploma, UEFA B license, FIFA diploma in football medicine, ISSA strength & conditioning certification, NSCAA national goalkeeper diploma, NSCAA director of coaching diploma, Coerver 1 & 2 diplomas, NSCAA Futsal Level 1 and many more.  Ryan currently resides in Slidell, La., with his wife Meridith and their son Luca. 

Email Ryan: RMLazaroe@yahoo.com

Fil Wilkinson
Assistant Coach, USA Blind Soccer Men’s National Team

A native of Durham, England, Fil currently resides in Charlotte, N.C., where he works for the Charlotte Independence Soccer Club as director of community engagement, director of Lake Norman Youth Academy and Recreation programs, director of adult soccer, and director of inclusive programs which include TOPSoccer and blind soccer. From 2014-19 he served as goalkeeper coach for the Johnson and Wales University soccer program in Charlotte. Fil’s coaching licenses include NSCAA Director of coaching, NSCAA Youth 1,2,3,4,5,6 diplomas, FA Level 1 and 2, NSCAA goalkeeper 1 and 2 diplomas, NSCAA Futsal Level 1, USSF goalkeeper, Youth 1,2 and 3, USSF F, E, D, 7v7 and 9v9 and Coerver Youth 1 and 2. He began his coaching career in England in 2003 where he led his college team’s training sessions. Fil also worked with MLS camps in 2005 before moving on to SISA in Mooresville, N.C., and then to the Lake Norman Soccer Club as assistant director of operations and director of community engagement.

Email Fil: filw@independencesoccer.club