• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Announces 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award Winners

Posted on: Wednesday, 17 June 2009, 11:36 CDT

WASHINGTON, June 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Former executive director of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (PCPFS) Dr. Asahel "Ash" E. Hayes; gymnast and inventor George P. Nissen; and Olympic coach Dr. Betty Perkins-Carpenter are the winners of the 2009 Lifetime Achievement Awards given annually by the President's Council.

The PCPFS Lifetime Achievement Award is given to individuals whose careers have greatly contributed to the advancement or promotion of physical activity, fitness, or sports nationwide. Winners are chosen by the members of the President's Council based on the span and scope of an individual's career, the estimated number of lives they have touched, their legacy, and the additional awards or honors received over the course of his or her career.

"The President's Council is honored to present our 2009 Lifetime Achievement Awards to these three outstanding individuals," said PCPFS Acting Executive Director, RADM Penelope Slade-Sawyer. "All three deserve this award for excelling in their respective fields, and for the important role they have played in promoting physical activity, fitness and the benefits of leading an active lifestyle. They are role models both in their communities and beyond, and positively touch the lives of all who know them."

2009 PCPFS Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients

Asahel "Ash" E. Hayes, Ed.D. - In a career spanning more than six decades, Dr. Ash Hayes has worked tirelessly to promote physical activity, fitness, sports and the importance of leading an active lifestyle. As a former executive director of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports during the Reagan administration, Dr. Hayes worked at the national level to further the programs, initiatives and messages of the PCPFS. Additionally, Dr. Hayes has worked with the San Diego Unified School District, as well as at the university level, to teach physical education and as a coach and athletic director. Dr. Hayes continues to work to encourage healthy lifestyles through his work as a physical education, fitness and sports consultant.

George P. Nissen - As an athlete, businessman and inventor, George Nissen has spent his life promoting physical activity and fitness. Nissen invented the trampoline at the age of 17, and has promoted his invention and life's passion by bringing the device to college and national competitions and making the trampoline a worldwide sport. During his college years Nissen was a competitive gymnast and diver at the University of Iowa. In 2000, Mr. Nissen's life-long dream became a reality when trampoline became a discipline of gymnastics, debuting at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. At 94 years old George Nissen continues his life's work of inventing innovative sports and fitness equipment designed to make being active fun for individuals of all ages. He is still active, with a daily exercise regimen that includes swimming, table tennis, and of course bouncing on a trampoline.

Betty Perkins-Carpenter, Ph.D. - Dr. Betty Perkins-Carpenter, founder and president of Senior Fitness Productions, Inc., has used her auspicious career to teach people of all ages to swim and dive. Dr. Perkins-Carpenter was a diving coach for the 1976 Olympics and has also coached men's and women's diving at both the high school and college levels. She started Senior Fitness, Inc., Perkins Swim Club, Inc., and the internationally known Fit-by Five, Inc., a fitness program for pre-school aged children. Perkins-Carpenter has authored many books and articles, including How To Prevent Falls: Better Balance, Independence and Energy in 6 Simple Steps, an innovative system to help seniors reduce injuries and the fears associated with falling. Dr. Perkins-Carpenter continues her work as a consultant, lecturer, teacher and advocate on issues related to fitness and safety for senior citizens.

About The Council

The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (PCPFS) is an advisory committee of volunteer citizens who advise the President through the Secretary of Health and Human Services about physical activity, fitness and sports in America. The Office of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (PCPFS), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is the HHS office containing the PCPFS Executive Director and support staff. Through its programs and partnerships with the public, private and nonprofit sectors, the Office of the PCPFS serves as a catalyst to promote health, physical activity, fitness and enjoyment for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities through participation in physical activity and sports. For more information about PCPFS please visit www.fitness.gov.

SOURCE President's Council on Physical Fitness & Sports

Source: PR Newswire

More News in this Category