AMANDA EKABUTR – New Assistant Director, Huddle Up

Institute for Sport & Social Justice Names Amanda Ekabutr Assistant Director of Huddle Up.

ORLANDO, Florida – The Institute for Sport & Social Justice (The Institute) announced today the hiring of Amanda Ekabutr as the Assistant Director for Huddle Up.  This is a newly created role at The Institute.

Ekabutr comes to The Institute from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst  (UMass), where she served as the Director of Student-Athlete Development and Athletics Department Diversity and Inclusion Officer since 2019.  In addition to her primary responsibilities at UMass, Ekabutr led the first regional Northeast Black Student-Athlete Summit in collaboration with the New England Patriots and New England Revolution.

“For more than 35 years, the Institute has used sport as a platform to raise awareness, teach leadership and life skills and to advocate for and support social justice issues,” said Institute CEO Delise O’Meally.  “Amanda’s passion, energy and commitment to excellence truly complements our team and we are excited to have her join our mission.  

 “We are thrilled to welcome Amanda Ekabutr to our huddle,” said Institute Vice President Dr. Jeffrey O’Brien. “She rose to the top of a competitive pool of candidates with a combination of passion, industry knowledge, an innovative spirit, and a can-do attitude.  I look forward to working side-by-side with her in providing transformative experiences for our partners.”

In her role as Assistant Director of Huddle Up, Ekabutr will oversee day-to-day operations for the Huddle Up program, serve as a national and international leader in sport-based social justice and leadership development education, and provide assistance, training, and curriculum development for a wide range of organizations including educational, corporate, government, and community-based entities. Ekabutr will also manage relationships with Huddle Up consultant trainers, clients, funders, and the media while assisting in new business development and strategic communication initiatives for the program.   

“I am so excited to be a part of the Huddle Up family! To be able to impact and change lives through the power of sport with a social justice lens, it truly doesn’t get better than that! I am eager and committed to continuing the mission of the Institute for Sport & Social Justice, so let’s get to work!” said Ekabutr.

Along with her student-athlete development experience, Ekabutr has completed several certificates, specialized trainings, and serves on various committees that will add value to her role with The Institute.  She earned a “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace” certificate from the University of South Florida, and completed the QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training, the “Mentor Training” program from the Oregon State Education Program, the NCAA Leadership Academy Workshop, and a range of Social Justice Education Initiative sessions. 

Ekabutr earned a Bachelors of Science degree in Exercise and Wellness from Arizona State University and a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis on College Student Services Administration, Education, and Ethnic Studies from Oregon State University.