US Team Handball Women's National Team

As the United States Olympic Committee's Manager of High Performance for Team Handball, Mike Cavanaugh oversees the development and day-to-day operations of the Men's and Women's National Teams.

Mike was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa, but attended De La Salle High School in Chicago, IL. From there, he went on to play football as a place kick holder and free safety at Wilson City College, who was ranked 9th in the nation in 1967. After transferring to Golden West College in Huntington Beach, CA, he received an Associate's Degree in 1970.

 

Upon graduation, Mike joined the Army in 1970. He completed Basic and Advanced Training at Ft. Ord, CA and was selected to serve in the Old Guard, the President's Escort and Ceremonial Unit, at Ft. Myer, VA. With the Recon Platoon, he also earned the Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, and Expert Infantryman's Badge. Afterwards, Mike was sent to Ft. Dix, NJ to become an instructor in the sport of Team Handball and played on the All-Army squad that finished 2nd in the 1971 National Championships. Prior to an Honorable Discharge, he served as the Old Guard Recreation Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO).

 

Upon completion of his military service, Mike went on to UCLA and graduated with honors (Cum Laude) in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. He was awarded a U.S. Department of Education Fellowship and completed his Master's Degree in Kinesiology at UCLA in 1976. During that time, he was also president of the UCLA Team Handball Club from 1973-1980 (National Champions in 1979).

 

In 1973, Mike was selected to the Men's National Team, who won the gold medal at the 1973 Pan American Championships. They also qualified and participated in the 1974 Men's World Championships in Berlin. From then on, Mike has been heavily involved in the Team Handball world and other international sporting events. The following shows a timeline of his accomplishments:

 

1976: Head Coach, Saudi Arabian Men's National Team

1978-1980: Head Coach, USA Men's National Team (Bronze Medal Pan American Championships, Mexico City, Mexico)

1983-1984: Competition Director & Sport Manager, L.A. Olympic Organizing Committee

1986: Technical Delegate, Goodwill Games--Moscow, USSR (USA Men = Silver Medal)

1986-1997, 1999-2005: Executive Director, USA Team Handball--Colorado Springs, CO

1987:  Competition Director, Pan American Games--Indianapolis, IN (USA W & M = Gold Medal, both qualify for the 1988 Olympic Games)

1988: Member, U.S. Olympic Team, Men's Team Official--Seoul, KOR

1988-1992: Member of the International Games Prep. Committee, U.S. Olympic Committee

1989: Head Coach, USA Men, World Games for the Deaf--Christchurch, NZ ( Bronze Medal)

1992: U.S. Winter Olympic Games Staff Member, Alpine Village Coordinator-- France

1992-1996: Member, Committee on Sports for the Disabled, U.S. Olympic Committee

1992: Member, U.S. Olympic Team, Women's Team Official--Barcelona, ESP

1993: Head Coach, USA Men, World Games for the Deaf--Sophia, BUL (5th Place)

1996: Member, U.S. Olympic Team, M & W Team Official--Atlanta, GA

1996-2000: Chairman, Committee on Sports for the Disabled, U.S. Olympic Committee

1997: Head Coach, USA Men, World Games for the Deaf--Copenhagen, DEN (Bronze Medal)

1998: Member, U.S. Paralympic Staff (honored to be one of four to lead the U.S. Delegation into Opening Ceremonies in Nagano, JPN)

1999: Technical Delegate, Summer World Games, Special Olympics--North Carolina

2000: U.S. Olympic Team Staff Member, Village Coordinator, Rowing/Canoe--Sydney, AUS

2000-Present: Elected Member of the Pan American Team Handball Federation's Competition Committee and Legal Commission

2001: Head Coach, USA Men, World Games for the Deaf--Rome, Italy (Bronze Medal)

2003: Head Referee, Summer World Games, Special Olympics--Dublin, Ireland

2004: U.S. Olympic Team Staff Member, Village Coordinator for Rowing, Canoe and Kayak--Athens, GRE

2002: Head Coach, U.S. Air Force Academy, Men's Team Handball (Collegiate Champions)

2003: Head Coach, U.S. Air Force Academy, Men's Team Handball (Men's 1st Division Champions)

2006-Present: Manager of High Performance for Team Handball, U.S. Olympic Committee

 

When he's not busy doing his job, Mike enjoys fitness, gardening, underwater photography, and West Highland Terriers. He is married to Pamela Lynn Cavenaugh and has two children, Kristen and Michael.