Aggregate Industries US Supports Dorchester Education Complex With ESPN RISE UP Program

SAUGUS, Mass., Sept. 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Aggregate Industries US (www.aggregate-us.com), a leading provider of aggregate and construction materials and member of the Holcim Group (www.holcim.com), provided materials and labor in support of ESPN's new original series RISE UP, in support of an initiative for Boston's Dorchester Education Complex.  The project was unveiled at a community ceremony on Wednesday, August 31, 2011 at the Complex.  RISE UP tells the story of four communities coming together to renovate their local high schools' athletic facilities.  The inspirational, four-episode series showcases renovation projects from start to finish, and focuses on giving students advice, training and tools to become better athletes.  

Aggregate Industries US donated more than 600 tons of asphalt, 10 trucks and 10 crew members to complete the project.

To celebrate today's airing of the Dorchester episode, Aggregate Industries US, in partnership with Boston Public Schools, is sponsoring a celebration and viewing party for students, their families, and the community.  The event will take place at the Dorchester Education Complex.

"Aggregate Industries is proud to support this project for the Dorchester Education Complex," said Graham Hardwick, Senior Vice President, Aggregate Industries US North East Region.  "When ESPN approached us, we immediately were on board to support the school and the community.  This is about upgrading the facility in a way that will provide an immediate and lasting benefit to the students, and the community at large.  We are thrilled to give back in Dorchester, which is also home to one of our facilities."

The unveiling event participants included Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, Boston Public School Committee Chair Reverend Gregory Groover and Celtics President Danny Ainge, as well as the show's hosts, ESPN college football analyst Chris Spielman and Deanne Bell.  The school's leaders, Kwesi Moody, Headmaster Dorchester Academy, and Mary Skipper, Headmaster TechBoston Academy, as well as dozens of students also attended and will be visible in the final program.

RISE UP's Dorchester episode will air today, on September 27, 2011 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.

"The entire Boston Public Schools community is excited to watch our students from Dorchester Academy and TechBoston Academy make their national debut on ESPN," said Boston Public Schools Superintendent Carol R. Johnson. "We truly thank Aggregate Industries for their support through this renovation and for making this viewing party possible."

Inspired by ESPN RISE's mission to engage and elevate high school athletes through recognition, resources, information and inspiration, the RISE UP series chronicles the renovation of a different school each week.  Each episode follows as community members come together to refurbish the one thing that ties them all together – the local high school athletic program.  RISE UP spends time with the students and coaches in each community, uncovering the challenges facing high school athletes today and working with professional athletes, coaches and trainers to help motivate and inspire them to reach even greater goals.

"Currently, many schools across America are suffering from budget cuts that severely limit their ability to offer sports and physical education to their students," said Executive Producer and Vice President of ESPN Content Development Joan Lynch.  "RISE UP was created to shine a spotlight on public high schools that realize the long-term benefit of students who play sports and are maximizing their limited resources and facilities to keep their students engaged in and inspired by athletics."

Other schools and communities highlighted in the series are:

• Wellston High School in Wellston, OH
• Ingraham High School in Seattle, WA
• Walter H. Dyett High School in Chicago, IL

For more details on the schools and communities RISE UP will be chronicling, visit espnrise.com/riseup.

About Aggregate Industries US

Aggregate Industries US is a subsidiary of Holcim Ltd, supplying aggregate-based materials and contracting services.  Aggregate Industries US has approximately 3,000 employees and operates in 16 states and 300 cities across the United States.

CONTACT:  Robin L. DeCarlo, VP Corporate Communications, +1-781-647-2364

SOURCE Aggregate Industries US