Personal Best: Youth Leadership & Track Camp

EUGENE -- The Local Organizing Committee of Eugene 08 announces final preparations for the Personal Best: Youth Leadership & Track Camp which will be held during the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Track & Field. A total of one hundred young athletes will participate in two camp sessions: the first session runs from June 27 - 30; the second session runs from July 3-6.

Campers will participate in a classroom curriculum focusing on academic excellence, leadership, volunteerism, and mentorship. In addition, campers will volunteer in Hayward Field working directly with world class athletes.

The camp participants will come from as close as a few blocks from Hayward Field in Eugene, to as far away as Wedderburn on the northern Oregon coast. There are campers from Springfield, Corvallis, Portland, Gold Beach, Gilchrist and Medford. They are young men and women in their high school years who were chosen by their coaches for this once in a lifetime opportunity to learn from leaders in the community and in the sport of track and field.

During the classroom sessions the students will hear from Howard White, Nike's Vice President for Brand Jordan, and Ron McCray, Nike Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer, who will offer insights into what it takes to achieve greatness on and off the track Local educators Carla Gary and Johnny Lake will address issues of community involvement and keys to motivation, and University of Oregon Basketball coaches Ernie Kent and Bev Smith, and UO Football Offensive Line Coach Steve Greatwood will speak to the connection between sport and leadership. Additionally Olympic athlete Dan O'Brien and other USATF athletes will tell about their first hand experiences as leaders and mentors on the track.

During their time as volunteers at Hayward Field, campers will have an opportunity to serve the athletes who are competing and the athletes will have the opportunity to serve as role models and mentors to the youth.

The sessions of the Personal Best: Youth Leadership & Track Camp will be open to members of the media by arrangement with the Eugene 08 Media Relations Liaison (contact information above.)

The Local Organizing Committee is grateful for the generous support of NIKE, Inc., the City of Eugene Recreation Services, the University of Oregon and USA Track & Field.