For more information, contact:
The St. Louis Sports Commission
314-992-0687
dbray@stlouissports.org

**COMMISSION’S SPORTS FOR KIDS PROGRAM HOSTS FREE SPORTS CAREER DAY FOR AREA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS & COLLEGE FRESHMEN FEB. 10**

ST. LOUIS — Jan. 29, 2001 — If you’re a young, aspiring sports professional hoping to be a media star — or a player in any other field in the sports industry for that matter — the St. Louis Sports Commission has an event for you. The Commission’s Sports for Kids program hosts its second annual St. Louis Sports Career Day Saturday, Feb. 10 at Harris Stowe State College.

Sports Career Day provides students a chance to learn about career opportunities in the sports industry and obtain advice and encouragement from professionals working in a variety of fields, including sports marketing, medicine, administration & management, and media. The seminar, scheduled from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., is free to high school students and college freshmen.

"Sports for Kids recognizes that there are many young people who carry hopes of one day becoming a professional athlete," said Erica Moore, director of the Sports Commission’s Sports for Kids program. "Unfortunately, the reality is that most students do not accomplish this ultimate goal. Therefore, the Sports Career Day’s purpose is to inform students of other career opportunities in the sports industry. We hope this event can really lead area students down a path of success and happiness as they seek rewarding and fulfilling careers in their adult lives."

Jon Hayes, director and vice president of Firstar Bank’s professional sports division, will serve as the keynote speaker for Sports Career Day. Hayes specializes in working with pro athletes, attorneys, and corporate executives. He will speak at approximately 11:30 a.m.

Students interested in attending Sports Career Day are asked to pre-register by calling 314-992-0689 or registering online at www.statsonline.com. Parents are also invited to attend for a fee of $10. A session geared to parents will take place during the morning. More than 250 students attended the inaugural Sports Career Day in 2000. A schedule and list of panel participants for the 2001 Sports Career Day appears below:

SCHEDULE

8 a.m. Registration
9 a.m. Opening Session
9:15 a.m. Breakout Sessions
11:30 a.m. Lunch / Keynote Speaker — Jon Hayes, Director & Vice President, Firstar Bank’s Professional Sports Division
12:45 p.m. Breakout Sessions
2:40 p.m. Closing Session

PRESENTERS

Sports Administration / Management:

Mike Bertani St. Louis Cardinals
Ross Bjork University of Missouri
Pat Daly River City Rascals
Mike Kern Missouri Valley Conf.
Greg Marecek KFNS Radio
Matt Oldani Saint Louis University
Dave Pierce Maryville University
Ed Stewart University of Missouri

Sports Marketing:

Patrick Elsner KMOX Radio
Eric Stisser St. Louis Rams
Millicent Victorian Bank of America

Sports Media:

Tom Ackerman KMOX Radio
Dave Greene KFNS Radio
Tim McKernan KMOV TV
Randi Naughton KTVI TV
Rick Powers KDNL TV
Alvin Reid St. Louis American
Maurice Scott WESL TV
Mike Smith St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Jason Stallman St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Sports Medicine:

Chris Costman Orthopedic & Sports
Randy Craig Pro Rehab
Tom Nash Athletic Trainer
Kenny Wilson Pro Rehab

Sports Potpourri:

Danny Stevens Sport & Family
John Vuch St. Louis Cardinals