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Oregon State University Alumni and Physical Education Teacher Bicycles Coast to Coast Promoting Healthy Living

5,246 Mile Journey Underway on West Coast; Coach Cate Meets with Students, Policymakers & Celebrities along the Way

RESTON, VA, JANUARY 20, 2011 –  Oregon State alumni and Massachusetts Middle School Physical Education Teacher Catherine "Cate" Dill, a member of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD), is taking her passion for healthy living across the country by walking, biking, and snow shoeing in an unprecedented 5,246 mile journey to promote healthy living.

"My goal is to motivate all Americans to live healthy, physically active lives," said the dedicated, 10-year Ephraim Curtis Middle School physical education teacher who has walked and biked to school every day for the past three years in a row no matter the challenges of the weather. "My journey so far has been amazing. I am so inspired by the people I meet. I encourage everyone to join me on my adventure and to follow my tweets, blogs and video streaming at www.letsgetmovingamerica.com."

Coach Cate, who received her bachelor's degree in physical education at Oregon State University, started her coast to coast trek February 1 in Santa Barbara, California. She kicked off her five-month journey with the help of the California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (CAHPERD) and the Massachusetts Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (MAHPERD). As part of the launch event, Coach Cate participated in the "LaLanne Moment of Movement," a mass jumping rope event in honor of California native and fitness giant Jack LaLanne, the creator of "jumping jacks." People of all ages took a few minutes to do 51 jumping jacks commemorating the year Jack LaLanne's show premiered on television.

The physical education teacher's journey also led her to meet someone who has been an inspiration to her for many years, Richard Simmons. During a stop in Beverly Hills, Coach Cate exercised with Simmons and his class at his studio, Slimmons.

From now until March 6, Coach Cate will be promoting her message in Arizona before moving on to other states. She hopes to continue to meet with students, members of the community, and governmental leaders along the way. As part of the her message she will discuss Let's Move in School, an AAHPERD public initiative launched in 2010 and led by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) to ensure that every school provides a comprehensive school physical activity program with quality physical education as the foundation so that youth will develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to be physically active for a lifetime.

Coach Cate will be stopping through various states including Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and Washington, DC. AAHPERD state affiliates will continue to support the veteran physical education teacher by generating excitement for her mission, supplying biking and running partners and places to stay.

During the last leg of her journey before ending her trip in her home state of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Coach Cate hopes to meet with President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama to discuss the importance of physical education and physical activity in children's lives. AAHPERD supports the First Lady's Let's Move! campaign to solve the epidemic of childhood obesity within a generation. AAHPERD and its five national associations, six district associations, and the Research Consortium believe schools can and should play a pivotal role in educating youth about the dangers of obesity and the benefits of maintaining a physically active lifestyle.

AAHPERD President Vicki Worrell of Emporia State University in Kansas says, "Cate's colleagues across the country salute this vibrant, energetic and committed physical education teacher who came up with this idea and took nearly a year off of her job because she believes in the importance of children and youth moving and leading healthier lives. I hope everyone joins her actions. We need thousands of role models like Cate Dill!"  

About California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (CAHPERD)

The California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (CAHPERD), founded in 1930, is a nonprofit, voluntary membership organization formed exclusively to promote the development and implementation of school, community and statewide health, physical education, recreation and dance programs. CAHPERD is comprised of Californians dedicated to health, wellness and fitness (especially for children), and include physical educators, researchers, youth leaders, students, dance scientists and instructors, coaches, sports medicine professionals, staff members of medical care facilities and public health agencies, recreation professionals, and others with career interests in the movement related fields. To learn more, visitwww.cahperd.org.

About Massachusetts Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance (MAHPERD)

The Massachusetts Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (MAHPERD) is a non-profit organization for professionals and students dedicated to promoting healthy active lifestyles. It recognizes and advocates for quality programs and professional development opportunities in each of the disciplines. MAHPERD promotes liaisons with allied organizations and memberships in Eastern District Association (EDA), and the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. To learn more, visit www.ma-hperd.org.

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Contact:
Paula Kun
pkun@aahperd.org
703-476-3461

The preeminent national authority on physical education and a recognized leader in sport and physical activity, the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) is a non-profit professional membership association that sets the standard for practice in physical education and sport. NASPE’s 15,000 members include: K-12 physical education teachers, coaches, administrators, researchers, and college/university faculty who prepare professionals in these areas. NASPE seeks to enhance knowledge, improve professional practice, and increase support for high-quality physical education, sport and physical activity programs. It is the largest of the five national associations that make up the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance (AAHPERD). For more information, visit www.naspeinfo.org.

The vision of AAHPERD is "Healthy People – Physically Educated and Physically Active!" Headquartered in Reston, VA, 25 miles west of Washington, DC, AAHPERD is the largest organization of professionals involved in physical education, physical activity, dance, school health and sport--all specialties related to achieving an active, healthy lifestyle. Its mission is to advance professional practice and promote research related to health and physical education, physical activity, dance and sport by providing its members with a comprehensive and coordinated array of resources, support and programs to help practitioners improve their skills to further the health and well-being of the American public. For more information, visit www.aahperd.org.