Michael Massik is leaving his position as CEO of USA Weightlifting and will be the executive director of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). He will begin his position with the NSCA on January 16, 2016.
In an email Massik said, “As I leave USA Weightlifting, I am overwhelmed with all of the positive changes that this organization has undergone since my arrival in September of 2012. “In that short time, we have seen dramatic positive changes in our organizational stability, our membership base, our event structure, our coaching development, our financial stability, our standing within the International weightlifting community and the public awareness and profile of the sport of weightlifting.”
It is unclear what prompted the move as Massik has not responded to requests for comment at this time. However, in recent months, controversy surrounded the selection of World Team members, specifically Sarah Robles being voted onto the team as an alternate over Caitlin Hogan (watch interview with Sean Waxman) and ultimately as an active team member replacing Marissa Klingseis (watch interview with Marissa).
This is not the first time Massik has left a role following some controversy. He served as the executive director of USA Fencing from 1996 to 2008. But in 2007, Sports Illustrated reported that USA Fencing had lost almost $1 million, in which Massik blamed bookkeeping errors. Following calls by Carl Borack, a four-time Olympic fencing team captain, Michael Massik resigned.
The USAW is currently conducting a search to replace Massik’s vacancy.
