FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Physical Education Teachers and The Century Council Join Forces to Promote the Benefits of Healthy Living

     RESTON, VA, January 10, 2011 – The National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) and The Century Council today announced their new partnership to educate young people about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and the consequences of underage drinking. The purpose of this partnership is to help promote the educational initiative called Ask, Listen, Learn: Kids and Alcohol Don't Mix™ to youth ages 10-13 and their parents through physical education teachers, coaches and athletic directors. Through www.asklistenlearn.com, kids learn to "say 'yes' to a healthy lifestyle and 'no' to underage drinking," can read about positive role models, sign up to become members of the Ask, Listen Learn Team, play interactive games, and download materials.

     The nonprofit organizations will be kicking off their relationship at the 126th annual convention of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD), March 29 – April 2 in San Diego when Apolo Anton Ohno, the most decorated U.S. Winter Olympian in history and a spokesperson for The Century Council's Ask, Listen, Learn program, participates in the largest gathering of physical educators in 2011.

     According to NASPE President Lynn Couturier, chair of the Physical Education Department, State University of New York at Cortland, "Physical education teachers and coaches are the perfect individuals to promote good health behaviors to large numbers of young people. Not only do we want all youngsters to enjoy a high level of physical activity and fitness,  we want them to make good decisions which will impact their health and well-being. We are impressed with The Century Council's outstanding resources and materials and look forward to sharing them with our members."

     Ralph Blackman, President and CEO of The Century Council stated, "NASPE/AAHPERD members are respected leaders in the field; thus The Century Council looks forward to working alongside NASPE to obtain guidance on the most effective ways to share our resources with their membership. By working together kids across the country will continue to say 'yes' to a healthy lifestyle and 'no' to underage drinking."

     In addition, NASPE and The Century Council will participate in joint Capitol Hill activities related to common legislative goals such as increasing physical activity in schools and supporting physical education teachers as mentors. Both organizations plan to promote the importance of physical education during National Physical Education and Sport Week (May 1-7).

The Century Council

Launched in 1991, The Century Council is a leader in the fight against drunk driving and underage drinking and promotes responsible decision making regarding beverage alcohol. The Century Council is funded by distillers dedicated to fighting drunk driving and underage drinking. For more information about Ask, Listen, Learn or The Century Council, please visit www.centurycouncil.org.

Ask, Listen, Learn

Also online, Ask, Listen, Learn's website, www.asklistenlearn.com, encourages kids to pledge to "say 'yes' to a healthy lifestyle and 'no' to underage drinking,". The website features "SuperStars" including Apolo Anton Ohno who send positive messages to kids about staying fit and healthy and explains why elite athletes say "no" to underage drinking. The website also provides parents with information and strategies to help jumpstart the conversation about the dangers of underage drinking.

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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.

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.