FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

PE Teacher Coach Cate Dill Returns to Sudbury after Three Month Journey Promoting Healthy Lifestyle

RESTON, VA, JUNE 16, 2011 – Sudbury, Massachusetts physical education teacher and American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) member Coach Cate Dill will walk the final portion of her coast to coast journey to Lincoln Sudbury High School stadium on Saturday, June 18th between 9:00-10:30 am. To be joined by a crowd of supporters including students, members of the community, and National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) Teacher of the Year Chris Belmont, the Ephraim Middle School teacher will make her final presentation about her trip and her passion for physical education and the importance of physical activity.

"The Let's Get Moving America' journey that I started in late February has been an amazing experience," said Coach Cate. "I have met people from all walks of life who I feel have inspired me as much as I hope to have inspired them. My trip has helped me fulfill my goal to teach and guide people to live a healthy, active life."

As the sponsor and host of Coach Cate's "Let's Get Moving Sudbury" celebration, Massachusetts Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (MAHPERD) Executive Director Maria Melchionda will make opening remarks. Coach Cate will then speak to students about her journey, staying physically active, and eating nutritiously. Before leaving Sudbury, Coach Cate will lead the crowd in a physical activity as part of her final presentation and then pedal the last 18 miles of her trip to the Boston Harbor with her daughter and fellow physical education teacher, Chris Belmont. In addition, the homecoming event will also include a morning of fitness activities geared towards both kids and adults.  

Both MAHPERD and AAHPERD's member association, (NASPE) have been helping to organize Coach Cate's school visits and overnight stays. Over the course of her trip, the physical education teacher has traveled an average of 50 miles per day, visited more than 80 schools and talked to more than 10,000 students from elementary to high school, relying solely on her own two feet; traveling by biking, hiking, rollerblading, and snow shoeing.

Highlights of Coach Cate's trip include a recent visit during the last leg of her journey to speak with students at her alma mater, Fallsburg Central School in Woodbourne, NY. Coach Cate attended Fallsburg Central School from kindergarten through high school.

"Visiting my old school and hometown was the ultimate give back. I can remember bicycling around as a child. It was nostalgic. I was absolutely elated to have the opportunity to talk with the next generation of students," said Dill.

While in While in Washington, DC, Coach Cate attended a meeting with the President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition which featured discussions about the status and importance of physical education to every student in this country. The meeting inspired her to take on the role as MAHPERD liaison to the President's Council.

In addition to talking with students and governmental leaders, Coach Cate exercised with childhood inspiration, Richard Simmons, during a stop in Beverly Hills, CA. Coach Cate kicked off her 5,300 mile journey in Santa Barbara, CA with a mass jumping jacks event in honor of California native and fitness giant Jack LaLanne, who popularized "jumping jacks."

Coach Cate plans to go back to teaching in the fall and publish two books, one about her experience and the other about healthy living. She will also continue to focus on her nonprofit organization, Let's Get Playing. The foundation provides underprivileged children with fitness equipment and opportunities to maintain a healthy life.

AAHPERD President Brad Strand of North Dakota State University said, "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. While her trip may be over on Saturday, I hope the momentum and enthusiasm she has for leading a physically active life continues to spread from town to town and continues to thrive."

For more information about Coach Dill, her travels, and nonprofit, visit her blog, Let's Get Moving America. Follow Let's Get Moving America on Facebook or follow Coach Dill on Twitter, @CoachCate1.

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Contact:
Sinu Patel
spatel@aahperd.org
703-476-3485

About The Massachusetts Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance(MAHPERD)
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.

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.