Angela Garcia, former Coordinator, Junior Competition at the United States Tennis Association (USTA), has been named Little League® Southwestern Region Director. Ms. Garcia will join Little League in early February at its Southwestern Region Headquarters, located at the George W. Bush Little League Center in Waco, Texas.
“Angela’s experience working for the USTA, combined with her commitment to the growth of youth sports, will serve as a tremendous asset in supporting our dedicated volunteers and in the development of the Southwestern Region,” said Stephen D. Keener, Little League President and CEO. “We are excited for the future of Little League programs throughout the region and are looking forward to the experience, commitment, and professionalism that Angela will bring to the organization.”
Along with Assistant Southwestern Region Director, Kiley Johnson, Ms. Garcia will administer districts, leagues, and volunteers in Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. She will also oversee the Southwest Region Tournaments for Little League Baseball® and Little League Softball®. There are nearly 200,000 Little Leaguers® playing in more than 575 leagues in the Southwestern Region.
Prior to joining Little League, Ms. Garcia spent nearly 10 years as the Coordinator of the Junior Competition at the USTA where she managed all International Tennis Federation (ITF) Junior Tournaments held in the United States and oversaw more than 300 events on the USTA National Junior Tournament Schedule. Ms. Garcia also supervised all special projects including the USTA National Spring Team Championship, USTA National Masters, and the USTA National Doubles Championship held in conjunction with the Winston-Salem Open; she served as the tournament coordinator for the Metropolia Orange Bowl International Tennis Championship and office manager for the U.S. Open Junior Championship.
“Little League Baseball and Softball has a rich and diverse history, and I am thrilled to be one of many who provides positive contributions to this sport,” said Ms. Garcia. “I am excited for the opportunity to be a part of the Little League Baseball and Softball family and look forward to making the Southwestern Region my home.”
In 2006, Ms. Garcia received a Master of Science in Sports Administration from Florida State University after participating in their Global Sports International Program. Participation in the program allowed for firsthand experience in events such as Wimbledon and the Tour de France and facility operations of Roland Garros and Stade de France. During her time at Florida State, Ms. Garcia also served as the Assistant to the Director of Basketball Operations for the FSU Women’s Basketball Team.
A 2003 graduate from Ouachita Baptist University with a Bachelor of Arts in Athletic Training and a double minor in Biology and Physical Education, Ms. Garcia was a two-year scholarship athlete for the OBU Division II Women’s Soccer team. During her time at OBU, Ms. Garcia also established a Student Athletic Training Round Table and was a student representative to the J.D. Patterson School of Natural Sciences Counsel.