FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

2009 Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees to Keynote Largest Gathering of Physical Educators in 2011

RESTON, VA, November 18, 2010 – Drew Brees, co-chair of the President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition and the 2009 Super Bowl MVP-winning quarterback for the New Orleans Saints, will keynote the General Session of the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) at the 2011 AAHPERD National Convention & Exposition in San Diego, CA on Thursday, March 31. ING Run For Something Better is the sponsor of the NASPE General Session.

Over 5,000 physical education teachers, coaches and other physical activity professionals are expected to attend the 126th annual convention of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD), March 29 – April 2. The NASPE General Session, one of the highlights of the annual convention, has recently featured such well-known speakers as baseball great Cal Ripken, Hall of Fame golfer Annika Sorenstam, running guru Jeff Galloway, football legend Herschel Walker, Oprah Winfrey's personal trainer Bob Greene, Donna Orender, president of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA),  and Olympian Dot Richardson.

"We are thrilled that Drew Brees will join us for this largest gathering of physical educators in 2011," says NASPE President Lynn Couturier, chair of the Physical Education Department, State University of New York at Cortland. "In addition to being a world class athlete who represents the best in sports, Drew will share with us his experiences as co-chair of the President's Council and his efforts to get all Americans more physically active."  

A native of Austin, TX, Brees attended Westlake High School and lettered in football, basketball, and baseball, and as a senior in 1996 led his football team to a perfect 16-0 record and the 5A State Championship while garnering SA Offensive Player of the Year honors.

He attended Purdue University where he earned a bachelor's degree in Industrial Management from the prestigious Krannert School of Management while lettering in football from 1997-2000. A two-time Heisman finalist, Brees led the Boilermakers to a Big Ten Championship and Rose Bowl appearance during the 2000 season. In that same year he won the Maxwell Award as the nation's top collegiate player as well as being named Academic All-American Player of the Year and was a recipient of the National Football Foundation's post-graduate scholarship.

In Brees' five years with the San Diego Chargers and four years with the New Orleans Saints, he has been elected to four Pro Bowls while being named 2004 Comeback player of the Year, 2006 All-Pro Team, 2006 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, 2008 NFL Offensive Player of the Year, and Super Bowl XLIV Champion and MVP.

As much pride as Brees takes in his on field performance, he takes even more pride in his community service endeavors. Drew and his wife, Brittany, established the Brees Dream Foundation in 2003 and since then have raised and/or committed over $6 million to help advance cancer research, care for cancer patients, and help rebuild schools, parks, playgrounds, and athletic fields in New Orleans, San Diego, and Purdue/West Lafayette, IN communities. Drew currently lives with his wife Brittany and two sons, Baylen and Bowen, in New Orleans.

To learn more about the 2011 AAHPERD National Convention & Exposition, go to http://www.aahperd.org/convention. The latest issues, trends and concerns in the physical education and physical activity professions will be addressed that week by more than 400 program sessions and special events as well as an exciting exposition of nearly 300 exhibitors. It begins Tuesday, March 29 with a look to the future with the PE2020 Forum.

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Contact:
Paula Keyes 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.

AAHPERD, an alliance of five national associations, six district associations, and a Research Consortium, provides 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. It is the largest organization of professionals involved in physical education, recreation, fitness, dance, health promotion and all specialties related to achieving an active, healthy lifestyle. AAHPERD serves 20,000 members and has its headquarters in Reston, Virginia, 25 miles west of Washington DC. To learn more, visit www.aahperd.org.