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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE --October 27, 1999
Contact: John Johnson or Andy Frushour-- 517.332.5046

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Oct. 27 - The Michigan High School Athletic Association Sports Nutrition Award, underwritten by the United Dairy Industry of Michigan, is in its fifth year of educating and recognizing the outstanding sports nutrition efforts of member schools in all 24 sports in which the Association conducts post-season tournaments.

Under the program, schools will be sent during each of the three sports seasons - fall, winter, spring - nutrition education materials and award program entry forms. A school may submit a separate entry form for any or all of the MHSAA tournament sports in which they participate. A winner will be selected in a random drawing in each sport, and will receive a $1,000 grant to enhance that program. A $500 scholarship will also be provided for a student-athlete participating in the sport in which the award was presented. Schools only need to provide verification of participation in the nutrition educational program to become eligible for the prize drawing.

In addition, a Merit Award will be presented in each sports season to the school judged to have conducted the best nutrition education program. The school chosen for the Merit Award will receive a $2,000 grant to enhance its winning sports program; and a $1,000 scholarship will be provided to a student-athlete from that school in the sport that applied.

"It's very easy for a school to become involved in this program," said Donna Hensey, manager of Sports Nutrition Programs for UDIM. "The awards program will help coaches and athletes keep nutrition top-of-mind all season long. Learning about appropriate eating behavior can have an immediate beneficial effect on athletic performance. Also, long-term, healthy eating may become a lifetime habit."

The entry deadline for fall sports is November 5, with the winners to be honored at ceremonies during the MHSAA Girls Basketball Finals in Mt. Pleasant on December 4. The deadline for winter sports applications is February 25, 2000, with the winners to be honored at ceremonies during the MHSAA Boys Basketball Finals in East Lansing on March 25. The deadline for spring sports applications is May 12, 2000, with the winners to be honored at ceremonies during the MHSAA Girls Soccer Finals on June 17, 2000.

The MHSAA is a private, not-for-profit corporation of voluntary membership by over 1,300 public and private senior high schools and junior high/middle schools which exists to develop common rules for athletic eligibility and competition. No government funds or tax dollars support the MHSAA, which was the first such association nationally to not accept membership dues or tournament entry fees from schools. Member schools which enforce these rules are permitted to participate in MHSAA tournaments conducted in 12 sports for girls and 12 sports for boys which attract approximately 1.3 million spectators each year.

With headquarters in Okemos, UDIM is a non-profit, member-driven association that conducts a total promotion program for Michigan-produced milk and other real daily products.

MEDIA ADVISORY - A Sports Nutrition Award brochure is enclosed for your information. For additional information about the United Dairy Industry of Michigan's involvement in this program, contact Donna Hensey at 517/349-8923.