Jared Fogle, “The Subway Guy,” Shannon Miller, the most decorated gymnast in America, and West Virginia’s Phil Pfister, 2006 World’s Strongest Man, will attend the first annual West Virginia Physical Activity Symposium to help increase activity levels across the state.
The 2010 West Virginia Physical Activity Symposium hosted by West Virginia on the Move, Inc., West Virginia University’s CARDIAC Project and WVU College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, will gather West Virginians from public and private sectors on June 17-18 at the Embassy Suites in Charleston.
The event will offer current research, practice and intervention to help improve West Virginians’ quality of life and will also feature a conference picnic at the Governor’s Mansion.
Miller will join Gov. Joe Manchin and First Lady Gayle Manchin to welcome attendees to the opening session on June 17. Miller and Pfister will also attend the conference picnic at the Governor’s Mansion later that day.
Fogle will be the featured speaker on June 18, highlighting his “amazing journey to a healthier lifestyle.”
“Participants can expect to hear from national speakers covering education, intervention and best practice to positively impact obesity and chronic disease rates in our state, as well as improve our quality of life,” said Dr. Eloise Elliott, Ware Distinguished Professor in the WVU College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences.
The symposium will include highlights from the National Physical Activity Plan Committee. It will also showcase physical activity programs and initiatives within the state and will build awareness and support for a statewide strategic plan for physical activity.
Working sessions will allow participants to interact with others in similar fields and within the same regions to provide resources unique to individual communities and organizations.
The registration fee for the two-day conference is $125 and participants may register onsite. The fee includes all meals, break refreshments and course materials. Organizations can also sign on as a sponsor or exhibitor.
“Individuals from the eastern panhandle or Morgantown may be able to attend the conference at no charge, thanks to a partnership with Morgantown-based Centra Bank,” Elliott said.
Centra has agreed to provide up to 20 scholarships to symposium participants to cover the cost of registration. Interested participants may e-mail their name, sector (i.e. healthcare, education, non-profit) and physical address to info@wvphysicalactivity.org to receive more details.
For more information, call Elliott at 304-293-0869 or e-mail eloise.elliott@mail.wvu.edu. Interested individuals may also visit the website at www.wvphysicalactivity.org.
-WVU-
04/30/10
CONTACT: Kimberly Cameon, College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences
304-293-0827, Kimberly.Cameon@mail.wvu.edu