Along with our partners, USA Track & Field (USATF) and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) have funded a significant donation to New Orleans-area track programs devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. These programs are critical to the development and recovery of young people as they rebuild their lives. This program and donation is designed to support:

* Local youth track clubs still in existence;

* The USATF Southern Association - the organization charged with the responsibility for operating all track/cross country programs outside of the school setting;

* Key city-owned facilities - Tad Gormley Stadium and New Orleans City Park - in desperate need of equipment and or upgrades of existing equipment.

ACSM and USATF have teamed together for a special outreach program in connection with ACSM's 54th Annual Meeting at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, May 29-June 2. USATF and ACSM will present the USATF Southern Association and two area youth track & field clubs, the New Orleans Road Runners and the Lake Charles Area Express, with equipment and uniforms lost in the hurricanes (see description, next page).

WHEN: 3 p.m., Wednesday, May 30, 2007

WHERE: Tad Gormley Stadium, City Park (Main Entrance), New Orleans

WHO: Two-time Olympian Walter Davis, a former LSU athlete, an Arnaudville, La., native and the world champion in the triple jump, will lead the "Be A Champion" event for the young people in attendance.

About Be A Champion: Be A Champion focuses on school-aged children and employs Olympic and World Champion athletes and ACSM professionals to deliver a healthy lifestyle, fitness, and anti-drug message. Since its inception in October 2004, there have been 30 Be A Champion events featuring 50 USATF athletes around the country. More than 20,000 students have attended Be A Champion events, which have been featured in vignettes on 20 USATF TV shows viewed by more than 30 million TV viewers.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

1. Uniforms/Shoes for Local Youth Track Clubs

Most people displaced by Katrina lost all of their clothing, including athletic clothing. While two key local clubs - the New Orleans Road Runners and the Lake (Charles) Area Express - are back on their feet and have maintained their programs since 2005, neither have uniforms. Thanks to the help of USATF sponsor Nike, more than 50 uniforms will be provided to youth athletes on each club and their coaches.

2. "TrackMaster" for Southern Association

The localtrack and field association, the Southern Association, is critical to the staging and operation of local track meets at all age levels. Among items lost to Katrina was the Association's "TrackMaster," producedby Gill,an official USATF supplier.The TrackMaster is a multi-purpose measurement and certification device for several of the implements used in field events. It is difficult to stage a track meet without one.

3. Implements for Southern Association Track Meets

The Southern Association also lost its stock of throwing implements used to stage practices and meets. New Gill implements will replenish the Southern Association's stock of throwing implements for all age groups (discus, shot put, javelin).

ACSM's 54th Annual Meeting begins Wednesday, May 30 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.