Former USA National Team Goalie, Matt Van Houten has been selected to be a member of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) reform advisory group being headed by former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue. The reform group has been tasked to assess the current USOC board and committee structure and make recommended changes.

Van Houten told Team Handball News (THN) that the panel has a good balance of objective outsiders and representatives from the USOC’s key constituent groups. He also believes that it will be a positive step towards improving the overall position of the US Olympic family both domestically and internationally. Van Houten, who is no stranger to the challenges a smaller National Governing Body (NGB) faces within the USOC structure indicated that a less influential NGB like team handball can only benefit from this process.

This is the second key appointment for Van Houten, who is also a member of the committee that will select the next USOC CEO.

LA Times Olympics Blog: Latest USOC reform group shows promise by avoiding usual suspects: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/olympics_blog/2009/12/latest-usoc-reform-group-shows-promise-by-avoiding-usual-suspects.html
Associated Press: USOC critic, Chicago bid chief join advisory panel: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hYxUVXZza67KgwSXEchGtHqh7AHgD9CGU8B00
Associated Press: Ex-NFL commish looks for solutions at USOC: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hxeQCi82qvrlBhEIu2tbfA9yzvAgD9CHKH9O0