Press Release about visiting swimmer

News Release

August 14, 1999

Local Contact:

Mark Rauterkus

General Manager, Three Rivers Aquatics

Founder, FreeTeam.Org & SportSurf.Net

108 South 12th Street

Pittsburgh, PA 15203-1226 USA

412-481-2497 = office

Mark@SportSurf.Net

The Significance of Byron's Visit to Pittsburgh in 1999

--- The start of bigger plans for 2000 and beyond.

New Lecture Series Tips Its Hand with Preview Encounter

Byron Davis is much like a modern-day Jackie Robinson. A comparison to Tiger Woods applies too in that he excels in a country-club sport. Byron is gearing up to swim in the Olympic Trials again in the year 2000, at age 30, striving to be the first African-American on the USA Olympic Swim Team.

Davis began swimming at an inter-city YMCA at age 8, graduated from UCLA and is an inspirational spokesperson for USA Swimming. Davis visited Pittsburgh for three days as a guest of Three Rivers Aquatics (TRA). Davis and the local swim officials took their story directly to the kids and parents. On Saturday, the crew mingled and evangelized the swimming lifestyle at two meets, visiting the City of Pittsburgh Aquatic Divisions' summer meet in Highland Park as well as the Eastern Zone Championships at Pitt.

Byron's goals for swimming and speaking match well with those of Mark Rauterkus, a former sports publisher and the new general manager of TRA. Rauterkus wants to rev-up the regional swim scene, and announced a new sports-lecture series. Nicknamed, S6, the non-profit endeavor is to be called the Sport, Spirit & Soul Story & Song Summit.

S6 expects to host events in the year 2000 and aims to bring Davis back to Pittsburgh as its first headline speaker following his Olympic Trials quest. For added family appeal, Byron's next trip to Pittsburgh might even be made to include his wife, Annett Buckner Davis, pro-beach volleyball player currently #2 team on the tour.

"By and large, Pittsburgh's kids don't know of Byron, his saga, and his message. Same too for Annett. I'd love to create a vehicle to help change that tide. A goal of S6 is to raise awareness for positive messages of those who strive for excellence," said Rauterkus.

"We call ourselves a sports town, yet I feel we miss out on these types of messages and gatherings. Our kids and our community can learn a great deal about ourselves with in-depth appearances and contacts. Byron, and many others in sports from around the world, present interesting, energizing messages."

What about the players on the Women's World Cup soccer team? Tell us about the relationship with the game of baseball and the rules from a MLB umpire's perspective.

How and why discussions fail as media sound-bites. This concept goes way beyond the ESPN highlights of the 100-Greatest Athletes of the Century.

"We could use additional fun, fresh, enrichment experiences. I want my young boys to grow up with a healthy diet of sport influences that doesn't include the WWF. Sports participation is much more than stadium sitting."

S6's seasonal, if not monthly, occurrences would bring a diverse group of international experts to the area. "Keynote talks, event mingling, technique demonstrations, psyche clinics, sport schmoozing -- all bolstered by literacy components would jazz our perspectives and stretch our spirits," said Rauterkus.

Those connected to schools, civic groups, and companies can step forward now. Individual volunteers from throughout Western Pennsylvania are needed for planning and early stage implementation. This village can host frequent engagements. The call to others who share the vision is here: Email: Mark@SportSurf.Net. Call: 412-481-2497 (extension 2)

Additional information about Byron Davis, the weekend clinics, news on other programs such as a new Swimmers' Zoo Camp is online at: www.FreeTeam.Org/tra.

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Photo and interview opportunities on Saturday ONLY with Byron Davis

++ Highland Park Pool -- 8:30 am to 1:00

++ Pitt's Tree's Hall -- 3:00 - 4:00 pm (an awards presentation)

++ On the grounds Outside of Pitt's Swim Pool from 6:00 - 8:30 pm.

Swim Meets occurring at both locations, each with local participants.

Three Rivers Aquatics folks are local, of course, and available at other times as well:

GM is Mark Rauterkus, and

Emeritus Coach is Hosea Holder

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Suggested pointers and other news, including an electonic version of this can be found at:

http://www.FreeTeam.Org/tra

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Tips:

See the invite letter abut NEW directions with TRA

Swimmers' Zoo Camp News

New Lecture Series Tips Hand with Preview Encounter