FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

McCutcheon High School's Tim Slauter to be Honored as Midwest District Athletic Director of the Year

RESTON, VA, March 13, 2009 – West Lafayette resident Tim Slauter will be honored as the Midwest District Athletic Director of the Year by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) during its national convention in Tampa, Florida, March 30 - April 4. The Midwest District represents six states from West Virginia to Wisconsin.

         At the convention Slauter, who has served as assistant principal/athletic director for McCutcheon High School for over nine years, will vie with five other district winners from around the country for the "National Athletic Director of the Year Award." Begun over 34 years ago, the purpose of the program is to give recognition to athletic administrators around the country who exemplify the highest standards of their profession. The award plaques are provided by Herff-Jones.

         The National Athletic Director of the Year Award recipient will be announced on Friday, April 3, at the NASPE Hall of Fame Banquet. Olympic softball gold medalist Dot Richardson, M.D. will be inducted that evening into the NASPE Hall of Fame.

         According to NASPE President Fran Cleland of West Chester University of Pennsylvania, "By making a significant impact on the lives of the students, Tim Slauter has made an outstanding contribution to his school and community. He is also recognized as an administrator of an exemplary athletic program and educator who keeps athletics an integral part of the total education program."

         The National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Executive Director, Bruce Whitehead, said "Tim is the consummate professional because he is a person of outstanding character. His moral fiber is strong. His honesty and integrity translates into the programs he administrates. When competing against teams from Tim's schools, one could always count on quality wholesome competition demonstrating outstanding sportsmanship."

         Among his many accomplishments, Slauter has created a mentoring program for new Indiana athletic administrators. Thus far, 15 new athletic directors have gone through the program and 12 are still active today. In addition, Slauter has created the McCutcheon Athletic Leadership Committee which consists of a senior student from each of their 21 varsity sports. The students serve as a liaison between their team and the athletic department, as well as helping out non-profit organizations in the city by participating as community volunteers. McCutcheon High School has also been recognized twice by the Indiana High School Athletic Association for exemplary sportsmanship.

         Among his most recent professional awards, he received the Indiana Athletic Director of the Year; the Indiana Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (IIAAA) District I Athletic Director of the Year Award and the NIAAA State Award of Merit for Indiana.

         His professional affiliations and activities include the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA), Indiana Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (IIAAA), the NASSP, and the IASP. He was President of the IIAAA from 2005-2006 and is currently serving as a Past President and Publications Chair/Newsletter Editor. Slauter received his undergraduate degree from St. Joseph's College and master's degree from Purdue.

###

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.