President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition Announces 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award Winners During National Physical Fitness and Sports Month

WASHINGTON, May 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Since 1983, our nation has observed National Physical Fitness and Sports Month during May as a celebration of the joy and benefits of leading an active, healthy lifestyle.  Proclaiming a special month to promote physical activity and fitness is a way to offer Americans of all ages, backgrounds and abilities a special incentive to adopt an active lifestyle.  

As part of the celebration for National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, the President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition (PCFSN) will honor their 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award winners at an upcoming Council meeting on May 10, 2011.  American martial arts pioneer Sihak Henry Cho, American Athletic Union President and CEO Robert "Bobby" Dodd, Ph.D., sports and military trailblazer William G. "Bill" McNamara, researcher and obesity warrior James F. Sallis, Ph.D. and American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Vice President of Programs Judith C. Young, Ph.D. are the recipients of this year's Lifetime Achievement Awards presented annually by the President's Council.

The PCFSN Lifetime Achievement Award is given to individuals whose careers have greatly contributed to the advancement or promotion of physical activity, fitness, sports and nutrition-related programs nationwide.  Winners are chosen by the members of the President's Council based on the span and scope of an individual's career, the estimated number of lives they have touched, and the impact of their legacy.

"The efforts of our 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award recipients have significantly contributed to our nation's development of a more profound focus on overall quality of life in relation to health," said PCFSN Executive Director Shellie Pfohl. "These five individuals have led the way in catalyzing our mission, devoting their entire careers to promoting fitness, sports and nutrition."

2011 PCFSN Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients

Sihak Henry Cho – S. Henry Cho is a 9th degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and is recognized as a pioneer of American martial arts. 50 years ago, he opened the first permanent Korean Karate (later to be known as "Tae Kwon Do") school in the U.S. Grandmaster Cho has been a leader in promoting sharing and cooperation in the martial arts community, staging and producing the All American Open Tae Kwon Do-Karate-Kung Fu Championships for 46 years.  Cho was inducted into the U.S. Tae Kwon Do Grandmasters' Society Hall of Fame (Pioneer Award, 2006), inducted into Black Belt Magazine's Hall of Fame (Man of the Year, 1971), and awarded a People's Honor Decoration from South Korean President Park Chung Hee in 1970.

Robert "Bobby" Dodd, Ph.D. – As President and CEO of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), Bobby Dodd leads one of the largest non-profit sports organizations in the United States.  His vision of the "Sports for all, forever" mentality for the AAU has grown their membership to over 600,000 athletes participating in 34 sports programs each year.  Bobby was instrumental in forging a unique partnership between the AAU and Walt Disney World, which now plays host to over 200 AAU events at their ESPN Wide World of Sports® venue in Orlando, FL.  Under his direction the AAU has also served as the co-sponsor for the President's Challenge, a program of the PCFSN, since 1988.

William G. McNamara – Mr. McNamara has been at the leading edge of international health and amateur sports for over 60 years.  In 1958, he was appointed the first Director of Armed Forces Sport and Fitness Committee Secretariat, a position created for him by the Secretary of Defense.  From 1961 through 1985, McNamara worked as a consultant to the President's Council under four Executive Directors, providing technical assistance on a variety of Council initiatives including the Presidential Sports Award program and Regional Fitness and Sports Clinics.  McNamara was instrumental in negotiating the agreement that led to the United States Olympic Committee's locating their headquarters and national training center in Colorado Springs.  Additionally, Mr. McNamara was responsible for establishing the first center for orienteering in the United States.

James F. Sallis, Ph.D. – Dr. Sallis is a Professor of Psychology at San Diego State University and Director of the Active Living Research program for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.  His primary research interests include promoting physical activity and understanding policy and environmental influences on physical activity, nutrition, and obesity.  Dr. Sallis' health improvement programs have been studied and used in health care settings, schools, universities, and companies.  He has authored over 500 scientific publications, co-authored several books, and serves on the editorial boards of several journals.  Dr. Sallis has received awards from the American College of Sports Medicine, Society of Behavioral Medicine, and the American Psychological Association Division of Health Psychology.  His current focus is using research to inform policy and environmental changes that will increase physical activity and reduce childhood obesity.  Sallis is a frequent consultant to universities, health organizations, government agencies, and corporations worldwide.  Time Magazine has identified him as an "obesity warrior."

Judith C. Young, Ph.D. – Dr. Young is the Vice President for Programs at the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (AAHPERD) where she facilitates and coordinates the program work of the organization's five national associations, the research consortium, and the six district associations. She has facilitated the development of National Standards for Physical Education, National Standards for Beginning Teachers (of Physical Education), and National Standards for Sport Coaches including the development of a program review for coach training and certification programs.  Dr. Young serves on numerous committees and boards related to physical activity, health and education including the National Coordinating Committee for the National Physical Activity Plan, the Board of Directors of Action for Healthy Kids, and the Board of the National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity.  Her active efforts to advocate for public policy in support of physically active lifestyles at local, state, and federal levels included such efforts as promoting the establishment of the initial PEP Program providing first time grants for local physical education and physical activity programming.

About the President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition (PCFSN)

PCFSN promotes healthy lifestyles through fitness, sports and nutrition programs and initiatives that educate, engage and empower all Americans. PCFSN is a committee of volunteer citizens appointed by the President who serve in an advisory capacity through the Secretary of Health and Human Services. For more information about PCFSN, visit www.fitness.gov. For more information about the President's Challenge Physical Activity and Fitness Awards Program or the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award, visit www.presidentschallenge.org.

Contact:  Joey King
[email protected]
240-276-9849

SOURCE President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition