Phil Galli

Phil Galli wearing a baseball cap

2022


2015

Phil Galli has spent more than two decades shaping the landscape of Para track and field and swimming in the United States and abroad, transforming personal motivation into national and international impact. His journey began from a place of love and family — when his eldest daughter, Jessica, was injured in a car accident as a young girl. Her introduction to adaptive sports inspired Phil to volunteer, coach, and eventually become one of the most respected officials and advocates in Para athletics.

Phil began his coaching career working with Jessica as she advanced through the competitive pipeline, culminating in her first of four Paralympic Games appearances in Sydney (2000). His coaching expanded to include other youth athletes as he joined the Children’s Specialized Hospital (CSH) Lightning Wheels program in New Jersey. For more than two decades, he served as a volunteer coach, mentoring and developing young athletes. Under his guidance, five Lightning Wheels athletes rose to USA Elite Paralympic status, a testament to his expertise, patience, and athlete-centered approach.

Alongside coaching, Phil built a distinguished career as an official and technical leader. He became a USA Swimming official in 1996 and a certified USATF Para official in 2002, eventually earning recognition as one of the most experienced multi-sport Para officials in the country. He has officiated, managed, and refereed competitions at every level — local, national, and international — ensuring fair, professional, and safe events for athletes.

Each year, Phil serves as track, field, or meet referee at numerous premier events, including:

The Tri-State Games, CSH Invitational, and Masons Meet (NJ)

The GLASA Regional Games (Chicago, IL)

The Turnstone Endeavor Games (Ft. Wayne, IN)

The BlazeSports America Track and Field Meet (Atlanta, GA)

For the past eight years, he has also served as the Track and Field Meet Referee for the Move United Junior Nationals (formerly the Adaptive Sports USA Junior Nationals) — a position that reflects his steady leadership and reputation for excellence.

In 2018, Phil was honored with the USATF President’s Award, recognizing his work with the USATF Para Committee in organizing and leading the USATF Para Youth Track and Field Championships. His officiating résumé extends beyond domestic events to the Adaptive Track and Field USA Adult Championships, where he continues to serve annually as Meet Referee, as well as the Department of Defense Warrior Games (2016–2019).

On the international stage, Phil has been a member of the IWAS (International Wheelchair & Amputee Sports Federation) Games Committee since 2015, overseeing multi-sport competitions across the globe as Para Swimming Meet Referee. His leadership has taken him to Russia, Portugal, Ireland, the UAE, and England, where he has directed World Para Swimming events with precision and professionalism.

Phil also officiates at major international road races, including serving as Para Referee for the Elite Athlete Division of the New York City Marathon (since 2012), where he oversees compliance, documents race rules, and manages elite athlete starting assignments. He performed a similar role for the Peachtree Road Race in 2019.

In addition to his officiating and coaching, Phil has profoundly influenced Para sport governance and education. Since 2008, he has served as Chairman of Adaptive Track and Field USA, guiding its mission to elevate national standards for competition and officiating. As Chair of the U.S. Paralympics Para Officials Committee, Phil led the development of the USATF Para Officials Level 1 Training Course and Certification Test, which has certified more than 400 officials since 2013. He delivers this training annually at the USATF Convention and at national events, ensuring the next generation of officials is prepared to uphold the highest standards.

Phil’s service extends to event organization as well — he’s been part of the local organizing committees for three Junior Nationals (2001, 2008, and 2015) and one IWAS Youth World Games (2008) hosted in the United States.

Throughout his extraordinary career, Phil Galli has remained athlete-centered, ensuring that every event, policy, and training opportunity exists to serve the athletes first. His legacy is one of passion, integrity, and enduring commitment — improving not just the quantity, but the quality and visibility of Para track and field and swimming opportunities across the United States and around the world.