MEET THE BOARD
Executive Director
Sarah Burton Doleac
Sarah was born in New York City, grew up in New Jersey, and has since lived in Maryland. While she was growing up, she played the popular game of stickball. At the age of 12, she was introduced to fast-pitch softball. She has enjoyed being on the fast-pitch softball, field hockey, basketball, and tennis teams at Bergenfield HS and Gallaudet College. Sarah graduated from Gallaudet with a Physical Education degree in 1982 and received a master's degree in Deaf Education from McDaniels College in 1985. In 1983, she was an Assistant Coach in Softball at Model Secondary School for the Deaf, and they won the ESDAA Championship. Sarah became the Head Coach of Softball at Gallaudet University from 1984 to 2009. She is a member of the 2014 GU Athletics Hall of Fame class as a Women's Softball Coach.
Currently, Sarah is retired as an Assistant Professor of PE & REC and former Director of Personal Discovery Program & Rock Climbing Gym with a service of 42 years at GU. Although she still works for the Personal Discovery Program as a part-time staff mentor to the current Director and staff. She also teaches CPR/AED/First Aid to different programs at Gallaudet. This coming May, Sarah is honored to be recognized as Professor Emerita alongside six distinguished faculty members at the Class of 2026 Graduation Commencement at Gallaudet University.
Sarah loves to give back to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing young athletes and the Deaf community from my positive experiences in softball. She is currently the Executive Director for the USA Deaf Softball.
Working out at the gym, doing yoga, and enjoying outdoor activities. She lives with her partner, Craig, and they have a daughter, Rebecca.
National Team Director
Justen Burns
Justen Burns currently works at Gallaudet University as the Head Softball Coach and Intramural Coordinator. He has been coaching softball since 1999, working with athletes at the elementary, high school, and college levels.
Originally from Toronto, Ontario, Justen grew up playing baseball and continued his passion for the sport at Gallaudet University, where he played collegiate baseball from 1994 to 1996.
He is currently the National Team Director for USA Deaf Softball. With the USA Deaf Sports Federation (USADSF), he serves as Team Leader – Operations for the 2025 Summer Deaflympics in Tokyo and the 2027 Winter Deaflympics in Innsbruck–Seefeld. He also serves as the SportsEngine Administrator for USA Deaflympics, World Deaf Championships, and Pan American Games for the Deaf.
Justen is passionate about supporting Deaf and Hard of Hearing athletes and creating inclusive spaces through sports. He has coached across multiple levels and enjoys watching athletes grow on and off the field.
In his free time, Justen and his wife, Tammy, enjoy playing pickleball together after work and on weekends. He also has three sons.
Operations Director
Kara Gulvas
Kara Gulvas is originally from the Northwest Indiana/Chicagoland area and currently resides in Washington, D.C. She is a Human Resources Specialist with the Department of the Interior and brings over 10 years of federal HR experience, with a deep passion for the National Park Service and public service.
Growing up, Kara played softball, travel ball, soccer, and basketball before going on to compete collegiately at Gallaudet University, where she played four years of soccer as a redshirt student and three years of softball. She graduated from Gallaudet with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies and a Master’s in Public Administration.
A lifelong lover of sports and the sense of community they create, Kara enjoys traveling, camping, visiting family, reading, attending concerts, and cheering on the Chicago Cubs and Washington Spirit. Although she is no longer playing competitive softball, she stays active through cornhole and biking and remains passionate about supporting and helping grow USA Deaf Softball. Kara lives with her wife, Brie, and their mini schnauzer, Piper.
Youth Programs Director
Joseph Kolcun
Joseph Kolcun currently works at Gallaudet University as a Carpenter. He previously served as the Head Coach of the Gallaudet University Women’s Fastpitch Softball Team for six years and also contributed as an Assistant Coach for the Baseball Team for one year.
Originally from Hazleton, Pennsylvania, Joseph grew up playing baseball as a utility player. He continued his passion for the sport at Gallaudet University, where he played three seasons of collegiate baseball before graduating.
Joseph holds a Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreation and a Master of Science in Leisure Service Administration, both from Gallaudet University.
He is currently the Executive Director of Operations for American Deaf Cornhole and serves as the East Quadrant Representative for the National Softball Association of the Deaf (NSAD). In addition to his administrative roles, Joseph has been actively playing men’s slow-pitch softball and coaching/playing COED softball since 2012.
In his free time, he enjoys playing cornhole, camping, and spending quality time with his wife, Rachel, and their daughter, Maisley. He is also a die-hard Philadelphia Eagles fan.
Finance Director
Lorrie Shank
Lorrie Shank was born in Kansas City, Kansas and grew up most of her childhood in Illinois. Graduated from Wisconsin School for the Deaf and graduated from Gallaudet University in 1990 with BS degree in Mathematics. Moved back to Kansas in 1988, worked in Federal services for 33 years and retired happily in 2023.
Been involved in many different organizations since 2000 as a leadership in different positions. Currently serving as Board-at-Large on Kansas Association of the Deaf. Also working part-time at Museum of Deaf History, Arts & Culture as office manager and part-time as Kansas School for the Deaf Endowment Treasurer.
Played fast-pitched softball while growing up in summer leagues and played one year at Gallaudet University under Coach Sarah Burton Doleac.
Enjoyed camping, cross-stitching, volunteering at different events for deaf organizations and being with Benson, my deaf dog.
MEET THE STAFF
Member-At-Large (West)
Traci Price
Traci Lynn Price, a proud Southern California native and die-hard fan of the USC Trojans and Los Angeles Dodgers, has dedicated much of her life to softball and coaching. Her love for the game began with Bobby Sox girls softball and continued at South Hills High School before playing collegiate softball at Gallaudet University. She also competed in AAAD and NSAD Deaf slow-pitch softball, where she built lifelong friendships and strong connections within the Deaf sports community.
She began her coaching career at Model Secondary School for the Deaf before continuing at California School for the Deaf, Riverside, where she has coached and mentored student-athletes for more than 25 years. She currently works at California School for the Deaf, Riverside as a Residential Counselor and plans to retire this summer after many years of dedicated service but will continue to stay involved in the softball program at CSDR. She is passionate about helping grow softball among young athletes while building confidence, teamwork, leadership, and community through sports.
In her free time, she enjoys scuba diving, outdoor activities, watching movies on her recliner, playing poker, and traveling. After retirement, she looks forward to adding new hobbies and checking off even more adventures on her bucket list.
She is excited to support and give back to the Deaf softball community as a Member-at-Large and looks forward to helping grow youth softball, supporting tournaments such as the HOY Tournament — one of her favorite events to attend — sharing her coaching experience, and continuing to stay involved in the game after retirement.
Member-At-Large (Midwest)
Dr. Heather Laine
Dr. Heather Laine is the Superintendent of the Oklahoma School for the Deaf, where she serves as an advocate for deaf and hard of hearing students, families, and educational accessibility across Oklahoma. She has extensive experience in deaf education and educational leadership, previously serving in leadership roles connected to deaf education programs and statewide initiatives. Dr. Laine is known for her commitment to student success, language access, and creating supportive learning environments that empower students to thrive academically and socially.
Outside of her professional career, Dr. Laine has had a lifelong passion for softball. Her love for the sport began at the age of five when she started playing T-ball in her hometown. Throughout early years and middle school, she developed into a versatile and formidable player by learning and playing multiple positions on the field. During her senior year at California School for the Deaf, Riverside, she was excited to join the newly formed softball team and served as the team’s catcher. She continued her softball journey at Gallaudet University, where she played four years under Coach Sarah Doleac as a first baseman. After college, she remained active in the sport by participating in slo-pitch softball leagues. While she no longer plays competitively, Dr. Laine still enjoys watching softball games and looking forward to supporting USA Deaf Softball.
Member-At-Large (East)
Lennette Butler
Lennette Butler was born and raised in Columbus and currently living in Maryland. I love traveling, outdoor adventures, reading graphic novels and DIY crafts. One of my favorite traditions is collecting keychains from every new place I visit, so far, I’ve collected them from 34 states and 5 countries.
I’ve been playing softball since 5th grade and I’m a huge fan of Oklahoma Sooners softball and the Oklahoma City Thunder.