PEP Grant Funding Approved Congress has approved continued funding of the Physical Education for Progress (PEP) grant program at $73.4 million for 2006, identical to 2005 funding. The only change expected from 2005 is a 1 percent cut, which is an across-the-board reduction to the entire Labor HHS bill that contains the PEP program.
"We consider this a very positive indication that our policymakers are hearing the voices of advocates on the importance of making quality physical education in our schools a priority," said Anne Flannery, President and CEO of PE4life.
The PEP program, originally introduced in 2001, has successfully enhanced K-12 physical education programs across the country through grants used for training in state-of-the-art health and wellness-based physical education methods and the acquisition of state-of-the-art P.E. equipment and facilities. The Department of Education estimates that there will be 63 grants available for 2006 at an average of $250,000 each. According to a report from the Department of Education, the applications for PEP grants will be due on April 12.
Extra Accredit In January, the Virginia High School League (VHSL) Coaching Education Program became the first state high school association coaching education program to receive accreditation from the National Council for Accreditation of Coaching Education (NCACE). The VHSL is one of only nine organizations to be recognized by NCACE as meeting its coaching education standards.
In addition to VHSL state and local components, the VHSL Coaching Education Program consists of courses in coaching principles and sports first aid.
NCACE grants accreditation to coaching education programs that meet or exceed established requirements deemed essential to the preparation of well-qualified coaches at five different levels. The organization bases its accreditation process on standards established by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education.
The "Quest" Continues The Bash for Augie's Quest, a special event to support the Muscular Dystrophy Association's Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Division, will be held on March 22 at the Las Vegas Hilton.
Presented by the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association, Life Fitness, Octane Fitness, Precor and Cybex, among others, The Bash will feature the entertainment of the Doobie Brothers, with an appearance by seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong.
Despite Armstrong's presence, serving as The Bash's "chief inspiration officer" is the namesake of Augie's Quest, Lifecycle founder and current Octane Fitness chairman Augie Nieto. Last March, Nieto was diagnosed with ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, and has since made it a personal crusade to discover a cure. In fact, last month Nieto and his wife, Lynne, were named this year's co-chairs of the MDA's ALS Division.
For event information, log on to www.augiesquest.org or contact Gretchen Bohrer at The Bash headquarters at 714/550-0161 or gbohrer@mdausa.org.
