President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition
PCFSN Lifetime Achievement Award
The President's Council Lifetime Achievement Award is given annually to up to five individuals whose careers have greatly contributed to the advancement or promotion of physical activity, fitness, sports, or nutrition nationwide. Nominations are reviewed and winners selected by President's Council members. Factors considered in the selection process include: span and scope of career; estimated number of lives individual has touched through his or her work; legacy of the individual's work; additional awards or honors received; and references.
Nominations will be accepted between September 1, 2012 through February 1, 2013. Nominations received after February 1 will not be accepted. Nominations with incomplete information will not be considered. Eligible nominations will be reviewed and winners determined by the President's Council members.
Winners will be notified by April 1 by the President's Council. All individuals who submitted a nomination will be notified of the award decision by May 1. An award ceremony will be held at a location of the winner's choosing (Washington, DC or in their hometown). If the ceremony is held in the individual's hometown, the Executive Director or a member of the Council will make the presentation. Ceremonies held in Washington, DC will take place during a Council meeting or other Council event. Travel expenses to Washington, DC will be paid for the winner; no travel costs for family members will be covered by the PCFSN.
Nomination Form
Nominate individuals whose careers have greatly contributed to the advancement or promotion of physical activity, fitness, sports, or nutrition nationwide.
Linn Goldberg M.D. is a graduate of George Washington School of Medicine (with Distinction), Professor of Medicine and Head of the Division of Health Promotion and Sports Medicine at the Oregon Health Sciences University and the Director of the Human Performance Laboratory. He is a practicing physician, teacher and research scientist. Dr. Goldberg has co-authored three books including the textbook, Exercise for Prevention and Treatment of Illness, F.A. Davis, 1994, and the popular book, The Healing Power of Exercise, John Wiley & Sons, 2000. He has over 200 publications and has received more than 30 research grant awards. His work has been highlighted in the New York Times, the Washington Post, USA-Today, the LA Times, NBC Nightly News, the Today Show, CNN, ESPN, PBS, National Public Radio and other news outlets.
Thomas L. McKenzie Ph.D. is Emeritus Professor of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences at San Diego State University and former Adjunct Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego. He is a former school physical education and health teacher, coach, and administrator. In addition to having served as a member of the Science Board, President's Council for Physical Fitness and Sports from 2006-2009, Dr. McKenzie has authored or co-authored over 150 scientific papers and chapters, developed numerous assessment and curricular materials, and presented over 300 papers at state, national, and international conferences.
Jacki Sorensen is the originator of Aerobic Dancing – the complete fitness program that combines the health and toning benefits of jogging with the fun of dancing, and developer of StrongStep, which uses a step to increase lower-body resistance. For six years, she served as a clinician for the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, now the President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition. She has also been an elementary school teacher. Jacki is the author of two best-selling books, Aerobic Dancing and Jacki Sorensen's Aerobic Lifestyle Book. She has also choreographed and produced several Aerobic Dancing records and three best-selling aerobic videos.
Charles Sterling Ed.D. has served as the Executive Director of the renowned Cooper Institute for over 25 years. His leadership resulted in international acclaim for both organizations. In 2001, he founded eStealth, Inc., a health information portal for physicians, plus Cool Zebra, a movement education DVD for school-aged children. Charles is best known professionally as the founder of the widely-used FITNESSGRAM®, a health-related testing and feedback system for youth. Since it began, FITNESSGRAM® has become the test of choice in the U.S., being used in all 50 states and 20 countries. It is currently in 85,000 school districts and mandated for schools in California, Texas, Georgia, and New York. Over 14 million students were assessed in 2009.
Pat Head Summitt, a native Tennessean, is the coach emeritus of the University of Tennessee Lady Vols Basketball team. Pat has been coaching since 1974 with the Lady Vols, where her coaching record has made her the all-time winningest coach in NCAA basketball history of either a men's or women's team in any division, Summitt is the only coach in NCAA history, and only one of three college coaches ever, with 1,000 victories. Summitt has written two books: Reach for the Summitt, which is part a motivational book and part biography, and Raise the Roof about the Lady Vols' 1997–1998 undefeated and NCAA-championship winning season.
2011 Lifetime Achievement Awardees
Sihak Henry Cho – S. Henry Cho is a 9th degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and is recognized as a pioneer of American martial arts. 50 years ago, he opened the first permanent Korean Karate (later to be known as "Tae Kwon Do") school in the U.S. Grandmaster Cho has been a leader in promoting sharing and cooperation in the martial arts community, staging and producing the All American Open Tae Kwon Do-Karate-Kung Fu Championships for 46 years. Cho was inducted into the U.S. Tae Kwon Do Grandmasters' Society Hall of Fame (Pioneer Award, 2006), inducted into Black Belt Magazine's Hall of Fame (Man of the Year, 1971), and awarded a People's Honor Decoration from South Korean President Park Chung Hee in 1970.
Robert "Bobby" Dodd, Ph.D. – As President and CEO of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), Bobby Dodd leads one of the largest non-profit sports organizations in the United States. His vision of the "Sports for all, forever" mentality for the AAU has grown their membership to over 600,000 athletes participating in 34 sports programs each year. Bobby was instrumental in forging a unique partnership between the AAU and Walt Disney World, which now plays host to over 200 AAU events at their ESPN Wide World of Sports® venue in Orlando, FL. Under his direction the AAU has also served as the co-sponsor for the President's Challenge, a program of the PCFSN, since 1988.
William G. McNamara – Mr. McNamara has been at the leading edge of international health and amateur sports for over 60 years. In 1958, he was appointed the first Director of Armed Forces Sport and Fitness Committee Secretariat, a position created for him by the Secretary of Defense. From 1961 through 1985, McNamara worked as a consultant to the President's Council under four Executive Directors, providing technical assistance on a variety of Council initiatives including the Presidential Sports Award program and Regional Fitness and Sports Clinics. McNamara was instrumental in negotiating the agreement that led to the United States Olympic Committee's locating their headquarters and national training center in Colorado Springs. Additionally, Mr. McNamara was responsible for establishing the first center for orienteering in the United States.
James F. Sallis, Ph.D. – Dr. Sallis is a Professor of Psychology at San Diego State University and Director of the Active Living Research program for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. His primary research interests include promoting physical activity and understanding policy and environmental influences on physical activity, nutrition, and obesity. Dr. Sallis' health improvement programs have been studied and used in health care settings, schools, universities, and companies. He has authored over 500 scientific publications, co-authored several books, and serves on the editorial boards of several journals. Dr. Sallis has received awards from the American College of Sports Medicine, Society of Behavioral Medicine, and the American Psychological Association Division of Health Psychology. His current focus is using research to inform policy and environmental changes that will increase physical activity and reduce childhood obesity. Sallis is a frequent consultant to universities, health organizations, government agencies, and corporations worldwide. Time Magazine has identified him as an "obesity warrior."
Judith C. Young, Ph.D. – Dr. Young is the Vice President for Programs at the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (AAHPERD) where she facilitates and coordinates the program work of the organization's five national associations, the research consortium, and the six district associations. She has facilitated the development of National Standards for Physical Education, National Standards for Beginning Teachers (of Physical Education), and National Standards for Sport Coaches including the development of a program review for coach training and certification programs. Dr. Young serves on numerous committees and boards related to physical activity, health and education including the National Coordinating Committee for the National Physical Activity Plan, the Board of Directors of Action for Healthy Kids, and the Board of the National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity. Her active efforts to advocate for public policy in support of physically active lifestyles at local, state, and federal levels included such efforts as promoting the establishment of the initial PEP Program providing first time grants for local physical education and physical activity programming.
2010 Lifetime Achievement Awardees
Darell Hammond – Darell Hammond is the CEO and Co-Founder of KaBOOM!, a national non-profit dedicated to saving play and creating play spaces for America's children. Darell learned about the importance of volunteerism and giving back to the community through his upbringing at Mooseheart: The Child City and School, a group home outside of Chicago. Darell co-founded KaBOOM! in 1996 and in the past 14 years the organization has directly led the building of more than 1,900 playgrounds, skate parks, ice rinks and sports fields which serve more than 1 million children across our nation every year. KaBOOM! has raised more than $170 million to support the cause of play among children. For his tireless efforts to promote play for our nation's youth, Darell has received the President's Volunteer Service Award, the Jefferson Award for Greatest Public Service Benefiting the Disadvantaged, the NARSAD Children's Mental Health Award and the NYU Stern's Satter Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Barbara Jones "BJ" Slater – As an athlete and educator, Barbara Jones Slater has spent her life promoting physical activity and fitness. At the age of 15, Barbara became the youngest athlete to participate in the track and field events at the XVth Olympic Games in Helsinki, Finland. As a member of the legendary Tennessee State Tigerbelles and the United States Olympic Team, Barbara captured a gold medal and broke the world record in the 4 x 100-meter relay with her teammates. She also earned gold medals in 1955 at the Pan American Games and at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome, Italy. Additionally, Barbara was a teacher for over 47 years and retired from the DeKalb Alternative School in Stone Mountain, Georgia in 2009.
2009 Lifetime Achievement Awardees
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 Fitness, Sports and Nutrition during the Reagan administration, Dr. Hayes worked at the national level to further the programs, initiatives and messages of the PCFSN. 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.
2008 Lifetime Achievement Awardees
Dr. Richard O. Keelor, Ph.D. – Washington, D.C. Leading health and fitness authority Dr. Richard O. Keelor, Ph.D., is the winner of the 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (PCPFS). The award honors his 50 years in creating change in health promotion and physical fitness and improving lives around the world. Dr. Keelor is admired for his dedication and focus on health advocacy and leadership training.
The President's Council's 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 PCPFS 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.
"We are honored to present this award to Dr. Keelor," Council Chairman John Burke said. "We want to recognize him as someone who has made a great impact on many lives and has served as a great role model with passion for others."
Dr. Keelor is CEO of Health Designs International, a company specializing in developing and implementing science-based health and fitness educational systems and equipment for schools, business, industry, and government agencies.
In 1972, Keelor was selected to serve as the Director of Program Development for PCPFS and held this position for 10 years. During that time, he participated in public service radio, TV spots, and testified at congressional hearings on matters related to the role of physical activity in health promotion and disease prevention.
Beyond PCPFS, Keelor has conducted more than 200 regional and national fitness clinics and has been a keynote speaker at four White House Sports Medicine Symposiums. He also served as consultant to the governments of Japan, Germany, Norway, Portugal, and Guatemala. Keelor was also a co-founder and executive director of Be Active America!, a national physical activity advocacy campaign.
This award was presented to Dr. Keelor at the PCPFS Council meeting on May 14 held in conjunction with National Physical Fitness and Sports Month.
2007 Lifetime Achievement Awardees
Ken Cooper, M.D. – Considered the Father of Aerobics, Dr. Ken Cooper started a fitness revolution with his 1968 publication, Aerobics. His publications have been translated into 41 languages. In his professional career, Dr. Cooper developed a cardiovascular fitness test and Aerobics point system that continues to be used today to assess physical fitness levels among military and law enforcement personnel, among others, and helped NASA develop programs to condition astronauts preparing for flight. Dr. Cooper opened the Cooper Aerobics Center, a clinic and nonprofit research facility, in 1970.
Jack LaLanne – At 92 years old, Jack LaLanne is considered the Godfather of Fitness and has been impacting lives for over 70 years. He opened one of the first health studios in 1936 and hosted the "Jack LaLanne Show", a health and fitness TV series that ran nationally from 1959-1985. He has been recognized with the California Governor's Council on Physical Fitness Lifetime Achievement Award, Dwight D. Eisenhower Award, and the Academy of Body Building and Fitness Award.
Bonnie Prudden – Bonnie Prudden is one of the founders of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, which was established in 1956 as the "President's Council on Youth Fitness." She utilized the fitness test developed by Drs. Hans Kraus and Sonja Weber to test the fitness of children in the United States, Europe and Central America, which ultimately led to a report that was presented to President Eisenhower and the establishment of the President's Council. She was inducted into the National Fitness Hall of Fame in 2006 and has dedicated more than 60 years of her professional career to improving the health of women, men, and children.
Bud Seretean – At 83 years old, Bud Seretean still finds the time to lecture on health and wellness and practices what he preaches. He changed his own health habits in 1975 due to a health scare and in turn, changed many other lives. In 1990, through a gift from Mr. Seretean, the Oklahoma State University/Sereatan Wellness Center was built. In 1997, Emory University dedicated the M.B. Seretean Center for Health Promotion, where Mr. Seretean saw an opportunity to serve and educate. He recently wrote a book, "Living Healthy to 100," which conveys the message of healthy living for seniors. He has also served as President of the Atlanta Hawks.
Judi Sheppard Missett – Ms. Missett is the Founder and CEO of Jazzercise, Inc., a company with 6,800 instructors in 30 countries. She has been promoting physical fitness and health for almost 40 years. She continues to lead classes and spread her fitness enthusiasm through community-based projects, including raising $26 million for charity, her Kids Get Fit program, and the CyberStretch School Giveaway Program. She has received numerous awards for her entrepreneurial efforts, including induction into the Enterprising Women magazine Hall of Fame, Small Business Administration, IDEA Lifetime Achievement Award, and Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement in Business.
Joe Weider – At 87 years old, Joe Weider has been promoting strength and fitness since 1936. He oversaw a publishing empire that included Muscle & Fitness, Muscle & Fitness Hers, Flex, Men's Fitness, Shape, Fit Pregnancy and Natural Health. He and his brother formed the International Federation of Bodybuilding in 1946. He created the Mr. Olympia contest, which Arnold Schwarzenegger won seven times. There are 170 countries affiliated with the IFBB, and it ranks as one of the world's top seven international sports federations. Mr. Weider is considered by many to be one of the pioneers in the field of strength conditioning.
Linn Goldberg M.D. is a graduate of George Washington School of Medicine (with Distinction), Professor of Medicine and Head of the Division of Health Promotion and Sports Medicine at the Oregon Health Sciences University and the Director of the Human Performance Laboratory. He is a practicing physician, teacher and research scientist. Dr. Goldberg has co-authored three books including the textbook, Exercise for Prevention and Treatment of Illness, F.A. Davis, 1994, and the popular book, The Healing Power of Exercise, John Wiley & Sons, 2000. He has over 200 publications and has received more than 30 research grant awards. His work has been highlighted in the New York Times, the Washington Post, USA-Today, the LA Times, NBC Nightly News, the Today Show, CNN, ESPN, PBS, National Public Radio and other news outlets.
Thomas L. McKenzie Ph.D. is Emeritus Professor of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences at San Diego State University and former Adjunct Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego. He is a former school physical education and health teacher, coach, and administrator. In addition to having served as a member of the Science Board, President's Council for Physical Fitness and Sports from 2006-2009, Dr. McKenzie has authored or co-authored over 150 scientific papers and chapters, developed numerous assessment and curricular materials, and presented over 300 papers at state, national, and international conferences.
Jacki Sorensen is the originator of Aerobic Dancing – the complete fitness program that combines the health and toning benefits of jogging with the fun of dancing, and developer of StrongStep, which uses a step to increase lower-body resistance. For six years, she served as a clinician for the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, now the President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition. She has also been an elementary school teacher. Jacki is the author of two best-selling books, Aerobic Dancing and Jacki Sorensen's Aerobic Lifestyle Book. She has also choreographed and produced several Aerobic Dancing records and three best-selling aerobic videos.
Charles Sterling Ed.D. has served as the Executive Director of the renowned Cooper Institute for over 25 years. His leadership resulted in international acclaim for both organizations. In 2001, he founded eStealth, Inc., a health information portal for physicians, plus Cool Zebra, a movement education DVD for school-aged children. Charles is best known professionally as the founder of the widely-used FITNESSGRAM®, a health-related testing and feedback system for youth. Since it began, FITNESSGRAM® has become the test of choice in the U.S., being used in all 50 states and 20 countries. It is currently in 85,000 school districts and mandated for schools in California, Texas, Georgia, and New York. Over 14 million students were assessed in 2009.
Pat Head Summitt, a native Tennessean, is the coach emeritus of the University of Tennessee Lady Vols Basketball team. Pat has been coaching since 1974 with the Lady Vols, where her coaching record has made her the all-time winningest coach in NCAA basketball history of either a men's or women's team in any division, Summitt is the only coach in NCAA history, and only one of three college coaches ever, with 1,000 victories. Summitt has written two books: Reach for the Summitt, which is part a motivational book and part biography, and Raise the Roof about the Lady Vols' 1997–1998 undefeated and NCAA-championship winning season.