2024 Summer Camp Coaching Staff
Colleen Kepner (Owner & Director, she/her)
TUSC Founder, Owner, and Director Colleen Kepner comes from a long line of youth sports coaches, organizers, and educators. She began her Ultimate career playing for Texas Melee, and went on to play for and captain a number of club teams including Texas Showdown. Coach Kepner has been directing and coaching youth sports camps for over twenty-five years, such as the University of Texas RecSports Ultimate camp, the Nike Ultimate Camp, and the National Ultimate Training Camp (NUTC). With almost 20 years of teaching experience, Kepner always coached alongside her work in the classroom, founding and building programs at Murchison Middle School, Kealing Middle School, and more. Kepner has also served as USA Ultimate’s Girls Outreach Coordinator for the state of Texas, and currently sits on the Board of the Premier Ultimate League as a representative for the Austin Torch (Austin’s women’s and non-binary semi-professional ultimate team). In 2022, Kepner expanded TUSC to operate year-round youth ultimate playing opportunities and support local youth ultimate teams, players, coaches, and families.
Coach Kepner credits her love for this work to her mom, Kacey. As a trailblazing female athlete, educator, and youth coach for over 50 years, Kacey instilled an appreciation for movement, community, character, and healthy competition in all of her teams, summer camps, athletic programs … and in her own kids. Those values continue to inspire and drive TUSC’s model to this day.
Contact: tusculti@gmail.com / 512-608-2447
Tamiya Smith (Elementary Programs & Special Events Coordinator)
I am a recent graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, where I studied Sociology and African and African Diaspora Studies. I have experience working with youth in both sports and community settings. Growing up in a small town, I value the importance of giving back to the places that helped shape me into who I am. My long-term goals include pursuing a career in law.
My early athletic experiences included volleyball, basketball, and track & field. From the moment I began playing Ultimate in college, I was immersed in a welcoming, supportive community that became my second family. I wouldn’t say that I found the great sport of Ultimate Frisbee; instead, it feels like Ultimate found me! After playing on Texas Melee for three amazing years and competing with Austin Vengeance, I’m proud to give back to the youth players and greater Ultimate community in Austin. I’m excited to bring a youthful, approachable, open-minded attitude and perspective to TUSC365 to help grow both elementary programs and more Ultimate opportunities with the organization.
Contact: tamiyatusc@gmail.com / 903-908-3953
