High School Award Winners Announced at Lou Groza Banquet

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 8, 2009
Contact: Kris Pursell, Event Manager,
(561) 233-3124, kpursell@palmbeachsports.com



High School Award Winners Announced at Lou Groza Banquet



WEST PALM BEACH, FL: The Palm Beach County Sports Commission held its 18th Annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Awards Banquet & Silent Auction on Tuesday, December 8th, 2009 at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach. In attendance were the top national place-kickers in the country, and Palm Beach County’s finest young athletes and coaches. The winner of the 2009 Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award will be announced live on the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show Thursday, December 10 at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN.



William T. Dwyer High School was the big winner for the Local High School Awards, taking home the Player of the Year and Coach of the Year. Matt Elam took the Player of the Year honors for the second consecutive year; he was up against Tre Mason of Park Vista High School and Will Powers of Jupiter Christian School. Elam has been an instrumental player for the Panthers as both an offensive and defensive player. He rushed for nearly 1,000 yards on 98 carries as a running back, and made 53 tackles as a linebacker and defensive back.



The Sam Budnyk Coach of the Year award went to long time coach Jack Daniels from William T. Dwyer. Daniels took the honors over coaches Jessie Hester from Glades Central and Bill Powers from Jupiter Christian. This is Daniels’ 14th season with Dwyer and second Coach of the Year win.



A finalist at last year’s Groza Awards, Cody Parkey was named as this year’s Place-Kicker of the Year. The Jupiter High School senior is rated as the #1 kicker in the country by ESPN and Rivals. He finished the year 9 of 12 on field goals, with 95% of his kickoffs going for touchbacks. David Bicknell of Boca Raton High School and Justin Haig of American Heritage School were also nominated.



Winners were chosen by Palm Beach County high school head football coaches, athletic directors and Palm Beach County media representatives. A check for $1,000 is presented to the athletic department of each of the winning schools.



The Lou Groza Award is presented by the FedEx Orange Bowl and is also sponsored by The Breakers, Continental Airlines, Enterprise rent-a-car, ESPN Radio 760, ESPN Regional Television, Ceebraid Signal Corporation/Richard Schlesinger, Kiwanis International, a Local Charitable Organization, JBS Destination Solutions, McGladrey & Pullen LLP, The Palm Beach Post, Parallax Productions, Bus One LLC, The Tux Shop, and WPEC News 12.





About the National College Football Awards Association
The Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). The NCFAA was founded in 1997 as a coalition of the major collegiate football awards to protect, preserve and enhance the integrity, influence and prestige of the game’s predominant awards. The NCFAA encourages professionalism and the highest standards for the administration of its member awards and the selection of their candidates and recipients. For more information, visit the association’s official Web site, www.NCFAA.org.

About Palm Beach County Sports Commission
The Palm Beach County Sports Commission is a private, not-for-profit organization contracted by Palm Beach County to promote and market the County as a sports and sports tourism destination. The Commission brings sporting events and activities to the County, enhances economic impact, stimulates bed tax revenues (primarily in the off-season), and maximizes utilization of County facilities. The Commission offers a full range of event service support, corporate partnerships, sponsorships and a local membership program that support its goals. Local, regional, national and international marketing efforts are ongoing by the Commission with sports organizations and event owners. The Commission also produces sports-related programs for the residents of Palm Beach County including the annual Lou Groza Awards program, the Sports Hall of Fame, the Kids Fitness Festival and awards the annual Sam Budnyk Student-Athlete Scholarship. For more information on the Palm Beach County Sports Commission go to www.palmbeachsports.com.

Proposed: Dyer Consequences Course Map

Jason Schultz on Dyer Consequences Cyclocross

Got a call earlier this week from Jason Schultz, a blog writer on palmbeachpost.com. We chatted for 20-30 mins about our upcoming cyclocross race, Dyer Consequences.

Here's the post: http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/step-by-step/2009/12/02/cyclocross-taking-your-fitness-off-road/

The Dyer Consequences Cyclocross Challenge will take place on Jan 16, 2010. For more information see our website at OYMbike.com

An Hour In Hell

Tom Boonen / Team Quick Step will ride Eddy Merckx in 2010

Eddy Merckx Cycles and Team Quick Step join forces

20/11/2009

Starting in the 2010 season, Team Quick Step cyclists will be riding top-class bicycles produced by Eddy Merckx Cycles. An agreement for the next 3 years has been concluded. “We are very happy with the deal reached with Eddy Merckx Cycles Company – explains Patrick Lefevere, Managing Director Team Quick Step.

"It’s a matter of pride for us to have by our side such a prestigious brand and a cycling icon like Eddy. Our relationship is based on mutual respect. Founded 30 years ago as one of Eddy’s ideas, today the company is an international player with Eddy at its heart. We’re sure that this relationship will be mutually beneficial, allowing both the team and the company to grow further and to reach some important common goals in the professional field."

“We want to grow from being a family SME to an international business. The return of the bicycle brand in the Pro tour is a logical next step within this growth pattern. We have strongly invested in the development of new, high-end racing bikes, the reorganisation of the distribution and the optimisation of logistics. In March 2009 we presented the EMX-3 and EMX-5 models, at Eurobike in September we introduced another 8 new models and this weekend our dealers in Belgium are launching the new EMX-1 and EFX-1. We are convinced that the cooperation with Team Quick Step and their international profile will boost our marketing efforts and support our “Eddy Merckx” brand in its international growth. The fact that a Belgian top team is riding Eddy Merckx bikes in the year of celebrations 2010 has a very special meaning to us. In 2010 Eddy Merckx will be 65 and his bicycle business will have existed for 30 years. One of the highlights will undoubtedly be the Tour de France, which will pass through Meise to celebrate Eddy Merckx. More lustre will be obviously added to the event by the participation of a Belgian top team on his bikes”, says Pieter Vansynghel, CEO of Eddy Merckx Cycles.

“We have had great successes in all the Flemish cycling classics and lots of victories in all great tours. There is no better way to vouch for the top quality of our bikes. Today we are ready again to ride at the front of the pack. In the past I have successfully worked together with Patrick Lefevere with the Domo Farm Frites Team. Therefore, I am very pleased that we are back in a partnership today”, according to Eddy Merckx, honorary president of Eddy Merckx Cycles.

Cyclocross! What is it? Whats so great about CX?

Why would a cycling club from South Florida want to promote a cyclocross race?

Before answering, watch this....




Next, you should sign up to race Dyer Consequences on January 16th, 2010, or come out and cheer on everyone else.

Lynskey Performance Titanium Frames

For those seeking the fine ride quality of titanium, On Your Mark Performance now offers Lynskey Performance Frames. From the R330 semi-compact road bike to the Pro29 29 inch mountain bike, and everything in between.

This offering based on our extensive fitting services to further offer more custom options, so you, the rider, can achieve the fit and finish like no other "stock" bike can provide.

Lynskey Titanium Frames are designed and constructed right here in the USA (Chattanooga, TN).

Felt Demo Truck Is Coming to On Your Mark

Thats right! Thursday, 10/22 @ 5pm the Felt Bicycles Demo Truck will be at On Your Mark Performance Center with 46 different models of bikes for our customers to test out. Do NOT miss out on this opportunity to test ride bikes.

One of the best ways to decide on a bike is to try them out. Feel free to stop by the shop early if you'd like to make sure you get priority on the bike you want to ride.

I suggest anyone interested to bring their own shoes and pedals. On Your Mark and Felt mechanics will set the bike up for you prior to your demo.

MS150 and OYMCC: Join South Florida's Fastest Growing Cycling Club

MS 150: Join our Team, South Florida's fastest growing cycling club, in the 2010 MS150 Bike Ride aka "Breakaway to Key Largo". The plan is 75 miles from Miami to Key Largo, then back on the following day.

Here are the details:

Date:	April 17-18, 2010
Start Time:	7:00am
Start Line:	BankUnited Center at the University of Miami
Overnight Stop:	John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Key Largo, FL
Fundraising:	All riders are required to raise a minimum of $300 in order to pick up the Rider Packet prior to the MS Bike Ride.

OYMCC will have training rides and fundraising mixers to boot. If you are interested in riding with our club please use the link below and get signed up. Its never too early to get started, plus the registration fees go up soon.

http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Bike/FLSBikeEvents/1620567587?pg=team&fr_id=12570&team_id=179229

(Having trouble with the link? Copy and paste it into your web browser, or call the shop at 561.694.6090 and we'll walk you thru it)


If you would like to submit a donation on behalf of our team, still use the link above and find the "Donate to On Your Mark Cycling Club" link on the right-hand side of the page. If there is a rider, in particular, you would like to assign the donation you may do so on that same page. Thank you.

Lets get started!!!

Criterium Training Camps presented by On Your Mark Cycling Club

Where:
Located at the Camp Murphy Circuit Course, inside beautiful Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Hobe Sound, Florida. Practice your crit skills in a low pressure environment on the most challenging road course in south Florida.

Jonathan Dickinson State Park
16450 S.E. Federal Highway
Hobe Sound, FL

When:

• September 16
• September 30
• October 14
• October 28

Details:
Rides start promptly at 6:00 PM. Course is 45 minutes plus 3 laps.

Notes:

1. First time ride is $10.00, each remaining ride is $5.00
2. Park entry fee required.
3. USA Cycling permit pending. All USA Cycling rules apply.
4. Riders must show a current USCF license. One day license available day of race.
5. All riders must sign USCF waiver.
6. No registration late fees apply, just come out and ride.
7. Drinks will be provided afterwards.

From our friend Lynn @ Bikediva.net

Great Training Opportunity
I've been wanting to try riding a criterium. There are a number of crituerium races in the south Florida area. But criterium races, with their mass starts and crazy fast riding around a short course, seem a bit intimidating. The criterium training camp will be the perfect opportunity to see if I like crit racing, or if I'd rather stay home and watch it on TV.

My husband has been going on a lot of business trips to Texas during the last few months. I just checked his schedule for September, and he will be in town for the two September crit races. Although he usually goes on the Boca Urban Ride on Wednesday nights, and I usually do a BRICK (bike-run) workout on Wednesday nights, we are going to try to get to as many of the crit training camps as possible.

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Bike Diva

See you out there!

1st Annual North Palm Beach Kids Triathlon

Saturday, August 1, 2009

USAT Sanctioned Event brought to you by The Village of North Palm Beach.

Online Registration at www.active.com or www.village-npb.org

Course:
Swim in Country Club Pool long course. Bike on Greenway, Overlook and Country Club Drive, Run on golf course holes 16-18.

Prizes:
Prizes will be awarded in each race class and gender, all all pregistered participants will be guaranteed a race t-shirt.

Registration forms can be picked up at On Your Mark Bike Shop.

Contact Race Director Carolyn Stone at cstone@village-npb.org

The Kids Fitness Festival

Elementary and Middle school children learn the basics of over 40 traditional and nontraditional sports. They will have the opportunity to experience a NFL football camp taught by NFL players, play hockey with the FL Panthers, learn to bat from the FL Marlins plus tons of other sports experiences taught from the area’s leading instructors.

Parents also enjoy the educational expo, food, interactive games and much more!

To receive $5 off the regular priced admission and for more information go to www.palmbeachsports.com/kffrds.

The Kids Fitness Festival
Thursday, July 16th and Friday, July 17th, 2009 10 AM- 4PM
American Expo Center at the South Florida Fairgrounds

Florida Cyclocross (CX) Tentative Series Race Schedule

Here it is... nobody else wants to post the dates, so I'm doing it. I'm sure flack will be sent my way, but some news is better than no news, even if it is "tentative".

Per email discussion from series race promoters:

- November 7-8, 2009 -- Orlando/Clermont
- November 14-15 or 21-22, 2009 -- Lakeland/Dade City
- December 5-6, 2009 -- Tallahassee (state championship)
- January 9-10, 2010 -- Miami
- January 16-17, 2010 -- Dyer Consequences - West Palm Beach/Hobe Sound

OYMCC pledges our event will happen! Stay tuned to OYMbike.com, sign up for our newsletter, and i'll let you know whats coming down the line. Hope to see dates official soon, or maybe this makes it official?????

Our race flyer is coming up next.

America needs to get PHIT!

Gang,

Please find below information on H.R. 2105, The Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) Act of 2009, which is legislation pending in Congress to allow for reimbursement of physical activity expenses using pre-tax dollars; reducing the costs of physical activity to encourage healthier lifestyles.

If this is something you can stand behind, I encourage you to use the pre-written letter below to send in your voice.

###

Attention Sports Advocates! We need your help to move along an important piece of legislation to promote increased physical activity to improve health in America. The Bill is in Committee Hearings now, immediate action is necessary.

For your convenience, a sample action letter and links to your U.S. Representatives and Senators is below.

“The Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) Act of 2009”
(H.R. 2105)
A bill to promote increased physical activity to improve health in America.

What is PHIT?
PHIT is legislation pending in Congress to allow for reimbursement of physical activity expenses using pre-tax dollars. PHIT would reduce the costs of physical activity to encourage healthier lifestyles.

How does PHIT work?
PHIT would allow taxpayers to place up to $1,000 for individuals and $2,000 for families a year in existing pre-tax medical accounts for reimbursement of physical activity expenses; lower costs will promote active lifestyles and improve the health of Americans.

Covered expenses include:
• Youth camp & physical activity fees
• Membership and dues in a health club
• Exercise/fitness classes or instruction (personal trainer)
• Sports league fees (adult and youth)
• Marathon/Triathlon registration fees
• Equipment used exclusively for participation in physical exercise/activities

HERE IS HOW YOU CAN HELP…
Please forward this email to your affiliates—leagues, coaches, families for action. Contact Congress now and let them know you want PHIT included in healthcare reform as a form of prevention. A sample action letter along with links to U.S. Representatives and U.S. Senators is provided below.

HERE IS THE LINK TO FIND YOUR U.S. SENATORS…
For a complete list of United States Senators including their name, address, phone numbers, and email addresses and home pages. http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

HERE IS THE LINK TO FIND YOUR U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES…
For a complete list of United States Congressmen including their name, address, phone numbers, and email addresses and home pages.
http://www.house.gov/writerep/

PHIT's goal to encourage active, healthy lifestyles and prevent illness make it an attractive option as Congress considers ways to reform health care and reduce medical expenditures. Let's blast the U.S. Congress with emails, faxes, and phone calls to support PHIT.

For additional information on PHIT please go to www.getphit.sgma.com for details.

###

HERE IS THE SAMPLE ACTION LETTER FOR YOU TO SEND TO YOUR U.S. REPRESENTATIVES AND U.S. SENATORS.

Date ________________

Dear Representative or Senator ______________________:

I want to commend you and your colleagues for making Health Care Reform a priority and ask for your support of initiatives to promote physical activity to improve health and reduce health care costs in America. Legislation introduced in the House, H.R. 2105 “The Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) Act of 2009” will prevent illness and improve health in America by encouraging more active lifestyles. It is well known that increased physical activity and a better diet are the keys to avoid sickness and a more healthy life. I hope you will support the PHIT legislation as it works through committees to Congressional floor votes.

Changes to our health care model are long overdue. Our current system focuses almost exclusively on treating illness once you become sick which has led to significantly higher medical costs. As Congress works to reform our health care system, it is critical to include initiatives that will lead to more active, healthy lifestyles in order to reduce future spending. PHIT will increase physical activity in America by making it more affordable. Much like our health care system as a whole, pre-tax medical accounts are primarily limited to reimbursements of expenses once you become sick. PHIT changes this outdated approach by making prevention of illness through physical activity a reimbursable expense.

If we continue down the current path, the CDC projects that by 2015 $1 of $5 generated in the U.S. will be spent on health care. Our economy simply cannot afford this expense; we need to do more to promote better health in America. A 2003 report by the World Health Organization reinforced the economic benefits of physical activity in the U.S.:

“Investing in physical activity programs will lead to economic savings…in the U.S. an investment of $1 in physical activity leads to $3.20 in medical cost savings.”

It’s no coincidence that the dramatic growth in health care spending has paralleled the rise in obesity and sedentary lifestyles in America. Currently 2 out of 3 people in the U.S. are overweight or obese. With the incidence of expensive chronic illnesses significantly higher among the obese, we must encourage physical activity to reverse the trend toward sedentary lifestyles and obesity in order to reduce health care expenditures.

America needs to get PHIT! Support prevention through increased physical activity. Thank you for your time and consideration of this proposal to help address America’s health care problem.

Sincerely,
Name
Title
Organization

Palm Beach Sports Commission Hall of Fame and New Website Launch

Honoring Palm Beach County Sports Legends

The Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame was created to recognize and honor the outstanding achievements and contributions of local athletes, coaches, administrators, media, and others in the field of sports.

The permanent home of the HOF is located at Roger Dean Stadium.

2009 Induction Class

Ten amazing sports leaders, including PGA Tour star, Mark Calcavecchia and Football legend, Howard Schnellenberger, are scheduled for induction into the Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame.

Others scheduled for induction are Ray Botel, Daryl Ceravolo, Joey Ceravolo, Tom D’Angelo, Bill Davis, C.W. (Web) Pell, Charlie Persson, and Jack Rhine.

For complete bio and information on all this years inductees click here.

To see all the current Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame members, click here.

2009 Banquet

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Palm Beach County Convention Center

Tickets on sale February 1st, 2009

Please help support the Hall of Fame program by donating an item for the silent auction or purchasing an ad in the program book.

If anyone would like tickets just call the shop and we'll point you in the right direction.

OYM Bike Shop to Provide Bike Valet and Tune Ups to Artigras Patrons

February 14-16, 2009 Artigras takes over the Abacoa Town Village and Ampitheatre. Should be a ripping good time. For any customer that rides there bike to the show can valet at the On Your Mark booth. We'll be set up Saturday and Sunday by 10am.

"Celebrating 24 years, ArtiGras Fine Arts Festival has grown from a small, local art show to a nationally recognized fine arts festival attracting more than 150,000 art lovers and collectors. ArtiGras will be held President’s Day Weekend, February 14th - 16th, 2009 at Abacoa Town Center in Jupiter, Florida.

Produced by the Northern Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce, ArtiGras was recently named one of the top 50 fine art festivals in the country and features 300 juried artists along with artist demonstrations, Youth Art Competition, ArtiKids children’s interactive activity area, Private Art Preview, Celebrity Art Auction, entertainment and more! "

Go here for ticket information: http://www.artigras.org/index.php?m=buy&c=tickets

Go here for online tickets: https://tickets.completeticketsolutions.com/Online/default.asp?brand=ART

Hope to see you guys out there.

Dyer Consequences & Camp Murphy CX Weekend Extravaganza

Here's some photos for starters...

Camp Murphy CX

Thanks to Team Lockerson I was able to get some photos of our own damn event! :)

Dyer Consequences CX

As for Cyclocross in FL... we definitely have a killer venue at Dyer Park. We've already begun planning for next year. Mark your calendars for January 16, 2010.