FORT PIERCE, FL — Indian River State College and USA Team Handball officially launched their strategic partnership, establishing a national team training presence on Florida’s Treasure Coast. The collaboration, supported by Play Treasure Coast/Treasure Coast Sports Commission and St. Lucie Public Schools, positions the region as an emerging hub for Olympic sport development. 

Athletes relocated to the region and began training operations in January. The partnership was celebrated with the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy collegiate handball match in Fort Pierce, where the United States Military Academy defeated the United States Air Force Academy 41 – 29. The match was attended by U.S. Medal of Honor recipient SSG David Bellavia, USA (Ret.) and Lt. Gen Frank Libutti, USMC (Ret.). 

St. Lucie Public Schools made the Westwood Academy Gym available for training operations, ensuring continuity as The River and USA Team Handball develop dedicated on-site facilities. 

“A consistent training environment requires cooperation, shared resources, and institutional commitment,” said Michael King, CEO of USA Team Handball. “Thanks to Indian River State College, Play Treasure Coast, and St. Lucie Public Schools, our athletes can train with continuity and accelerate toward sustained international performance.” 

“Indian River State College is proud to serve as home to USA Team Handball’s National Training Center, joining USA Diving in making our campus a premier destination for Olympic-level athletics,” said Dr. Timothy E. Moore, President of Indian River State College. “This partnership creates invaluable opportunities for our students and supports future Olympians right here at The River.” 

USA Team Handball became the second Olympic sport National Governing Body to establish operations at The River. The partnership builds training infrastructure and strengthens the United States’ competitive position internationally in preparation for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic cycle. 

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About USA Team Handball: USA Team Handball is the National Governing Body for the sport of team handball in the United States, responsible for national teams, grassroots development, and international representation in Olympic, Paralympic, and world championship competition. 

About Indian River State College: Indian River State College, serving Florida’s Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee counties, offers high-quality, affordable education to over 24,000 students annually through traditional and online courses.  

Media Contact: PIO@IRSC.edu 

Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy Collegiate Handball Match to Mark Launch on January 17, 2026 

Fort Pierce, FL (January 16, 2026) — Indian River State College (The River) and USA Team Handball have formally launched a strategic partnership to establish a sustained national team training presence on Florida’s Treasure Coast, supported by Play Treasure Coast / the Treasure Coast Sports Commission, and St. Lucie Public Schools. 

The partnership represents a significant step in USA Team Handball’s long-term national training site strategy, as The River and USA Team Handball collaborate on the development of dedicated, on-site handball facilities. During this maturation phase, St. Lucie Public Schools has provided exceptional support by making the Westwood Academy Gym available for training and programming, ensuring immediate continuity for athletes and staff. 

This collaborative effort positions the Treasure Coast as a growing hub for Olympic and international sport development, aligning higher education, public schools, and destination sports tourism around a shared vision for sustained national-level training that prepares athletes for the highest levels of global competition. 

“This partnership reflects the kind of collaboration and support it takes to move American handball forward,” said Michael King, Chief Executive Officer of USA Team Handball. “A consistent training environment is always a prerequisite to success, but it is never a given—it requires cooperation, shared resources, and institutional commitment. Thanks to Indian River State College, Play Treasure Coast, and St. Lucie Public Schools, we move directly into a full preparatory environment. That step change allows our athletes to train with continuity and accelerate toward sustained international performance.”  

“Indian River State College is proud to serve as the future home to USA Team Handball’s National Training Center, joining USA Diving in making our campus a premier destination for Olympic-level athletics,” said Dr. Timothy E. Moore, Indian River State College President. “This partnership reflects our commitment to excellence in all areas—from academics to athletics—and creates invaluable learning opportunities for our students while strengthening our ties to the Treasure Coast community. We’re excited to welcome USA Team Handball to Fort Pierce and support the development of future Olympians right here at The River.” 

Athletes are scheduled to begin relocating and training in the region in January, marking the operational start of the partnership. The public kickoff of the collaboration will take place on January 17, 2026, 3:30 p.m., with the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy collegiate handball match between the United States Air Force Academy and the United States Military Academy (West Point). The match will be held at Fort Pierce Central High School, serving both as a competitive showcase and as a ceremonial launch of the partnership’s physical footprint in the region. 

Rick Hatcher, President/CEO of Play Treasure Coast Sports Tourism, said, “This event represents everything Play Treasure Coast Sports Tourism stands for—elite competition, national impact, and unforgettable experiences. Bringing West Point’s 17-time national championship program together with the U.S. Air Force Academy, alongside U.S. National Team leadership, puts Fort Pierce, St. Lucie County, and the Treasure Coast on the map as a premier destination for emerging Olympic sports like team handball.” 

“St. Lucie Public Schools is thrilled to partner with Indian River State College, USA Team Handball, and Play Treasure Coast in bringing this exciting national training presence to our community. By repurposing Fort Pierce Westwood Academy’s original gym to serve as a dedicated training venue for elite athletes, we are not only directly contributing to the growth of Olympic-level sports in the United States but also creating unique, inspiring opportunities for our own students. This collaboration exposes our students to world-class athletes, fosters a culture of excellence, and strengthens the ties between education, athletics, and community pride. We deeply appreciate the shared vision and commitment from all partners, and we look forward to the positive impact this will have on our students for years to come,” said St. Lucie Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Jon R. Prince. 

USA Team Handball’s partnership with The River and regional stakeholders reflects a broader commitment to building durable training infrastructure, expanding domestic development pathways, and strengthening the United States’ competitive position internationally in advance of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic cycle and beyond. USA Team Handball joins USA Diving as the second Olympic sport National Governing Body to establish operations at Indian River State College. 

Additional announcements regarding facility development, programming expansion, and community engagement initiatives will be made as the partnership progresses. 

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About USA Team Handball: USA Team Handball is the National Governing Body for the sport of team handball in the United States, responsible for national teams, grassroots development, and international representation in Olympic, Paralympic, and world championship competition. 

About Indian River State College: Indian River State College, serving Florida’s Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee counties, offers high-quality, affordable education to over 24,000 students annually through traditional and online courses. The College provides more than 130 programs leading to bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, and technical certificates. To learn more, visit irsc.edu.