Posted: May 18, 2005

Athletics: USATF's "Be A Champion" reaches kids from coast to coast

USA Track & Field's Be A Champion youth outreach program has achieved coast-to-coast outreach, with 23 athletes speaking to more than 4,000 students since October 2004. This Friday's visit by Lauryn Williams and Coby Miller to Curtiss Middle School in Carson, Calif., will bring the number of students reached to more than 4,500.

In addition to the appearances listed below, Be A Champion has been a featured segment on the Visa Championship Series broadcasts on NBC, ESPN and ESPN2, reaching more than 3.5 million households nationwide with the Be A Champion message. Additional Be A Champion visits are scheduled throughout the 2005 season.

A major initiative by USA Track & Field and the American College of Sports Medicine, Be A Champion facilitates direct interaction between elite track & field athletes, including Olympic medalists, and middle-school aged children around the country, in order to positively impact their lifestyles and decision-making.

Below is a breakdown of Be A Champion appearances and specific demographics.

Where: Elite Athlete Retreat, Miami, FloridaWho: Sanya Richards, Justin Gatlin, Maurice Greene, Lauryn WilliamsWhen: October 2004Attendance: 750 students at Dade Christian Academy

Where: USATF Annual Meeting, Portland, OregonWho: Sanya Richards, Brenda Taylor, Allen Johnson, Justin GatlinWhen: December 2004Attendance: 300 students at Gregory Heights Middle School

Where: NW Flyers Breakfast, Houston, TexasWho: Derrick BrewWhen: January 2005Attendance: 300 track club athletes at Cypress Creek Christian Community Center

Where: Millrose Games, New York, New YorkWho: Allyson Felix, Toby StevensonWhen: February 2005Attendance: 300 students at Center SchoolTelevision: NBC

Where: Powered by Tyson Foods Invitational, Fayetteville, ArkansasWho: April SteinerWhen: February 2005Attendance: 50 students at Ramey Junior HighTelevision: ESPN2

Where: USA Cross Country National Championships, Vancouver, WashingtonWho: Daniel Lincoln, Shayne CulpepperWhen: February 2005Attendance: 800 students at McLaughlin Middle School

Where: USA Indoor Championships, Boston, MassachusettsWho: Jamie Nieto, Brenda TaylorWhen: February 2005Attendance: 150 students at Tobin Community CenterTelevision: ESPN

Where: USA Indoor Multi Event Championships, Raleigh, North CarolinaWho: Moushaumi Robinson, James Carter, Crystal CoxWhen: March 2005Attendance: 300 students at Holly Springs Middle School

Where: AIAA Girls in Sport, Phoenix, ArizonaWho: Stacy DragilaWhen: March 2005Attendance: 700 girls at a sport symposium

Where: Texas Relays, Austin, TexasWho: Derrick Brew, Sanya RichardsWhen: April 2005Attendance: 200 students at Pearce Middle School

Where: Kansas Relays, Lawrence, KansasWho: Charlie Gruber, Nicole Denby, Leonard ScottWhen: April 2005Attendance: 500 students at Central Junior High

Where: USA vs. The World at the Penn Relays, Philadelphia, Pa.Who: Moushaumi Robinson, Jon DrummondWhen: April 2005Attendance: 75 kids at the Hank Gathers CenterTelevision: NBC

Upcoming

Where: adidas Track Classic, Carson, Calif.Who: Lauryn Williams, Coby MillerWhen: May 2005Attendance: 500 students at Curtiss Middle SchoolTelevision: NBC