INTRODUCING THE SPIRE MAC WILKINS THROWS ACADEMY

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SPIRE Institute and Olympian Mac Wilkins team up to create “THROWS ACADEMY” at SPIRE

Collaboration creates unique track and field camp and academy programs

Geneva, Ohio – May 22, 2012:  SPIRE Institute is the multi-sport training camp, academy, and event-hosting complex located in Geneva, Ohio. Mac Wilkins is an Olympic gold and silver medal winner in the discus, four time World Record Holder and a highly respected "throws" coach.

SPIRE's Track and Field Academy, the first of its kind in the U.S., and Mac are creating the "SPIRE Mac Wilkins Throws Academy" on site at SPIRE. This world-class program is year-round and geared toward helping male and female athletes to reach their full potential in the discus, shot put, javelin and hammer throw, within a variety of programs.

The collaboration will kick off with the first SPIRE Mac Wilkins Throws Camp to be held at SPIRE from July 22-27 for athletes from ages 10-19, beginners to advanced. SPIRE Track and Field Director Charlie Powell welcomes Mac and javelin coach Scott Halley to this comprehensive throws training camp.  Coach Halley is the coach of the current US National HS leader Sean Keller, who has thrown 244’ in 2012.  Scott was also a key resource for National HS Record Holder Sam Crouser, 255’ in 2010.

The camp will also feature athletic training with Bryan McCall, Director of Spire's Michael Johnson Performance Center, and mental skills training  with Jack J. Lesyk, Ph.D., CC-AASP, Director of SPIRE Sport Psychology Services.

In Sept 2012, the Throws Academy will attract high school and post graduate athletes to train full-time within the SPIRE Track and Field Academy for the 2012-13 school year. In addition to these students, the Throws Academy will be a popular location for collegiate post grads to reside and train on a short or long term basis, as appropriate. And finally, school year and summer camps, and a regular calendar of intense weekend training sessions, will allow Mac and SPIRE to reach out to an even wider base of regional athletes.

“SPIRE has the facilities, resources and vision, to make a significant difference in the development of American athletes,” said Mac Wilkins.  “It is uniquely set up to cut through the bureaucracy and fill the gaps that exist between high school, college and open organizations. It’s exciting to think about how we might jointly impact the development of throwers in the US.”

SPIRE Founder and CEO Ron Clutter commented, “Mac Wilkins is a perfect fit for SPIRE. He has achieved amazing athletic success and is a proven, successful coach. But even more impressive is the level of his commitment and his character. He is driven to positively impact his sport and the athletes involved…and together, we will do just that...”

About Mac Wilkins

Mac Wilkins, Olympic gold and silver medalist, former world record holder and USA Track & Field Hall of Fame member - has coached and developed Olympic Champions, World Champions, NAIA National Champions, All Americans, USATF Elite Men & Women and high school athletes.  As a motivational speaker, Mac shares his message about applying the positive values of sport and the Olympic spirit to everyday life.

Wilkins was one of the first to provide distance coaching to athletes around the globe through online video analysis and The Wilkins Review, which provides coaching tools, analysis, commentary and training tips for throwers and coaches. His contribution to the sport is massive, and he continues to advocate an open nationwide system that creates, captures and maintains instructional knowledge for throws athletes and coaches. Mac Wilkins shares the positive life values of sport not just with elite competitive athletes but also in community fitness programs for grade school children and those with special needs. A native Oregonian, Wilkins’ career spanned 21 years, and included four Olympic teams and four world records in the discus. Mac was nationally ranked in three events, but it was in the discus where he achieved his greatest glory. In 1976, he not only shattered the World Record in the event, but also won the gold medal at the Olympics after setting an Olympic record in the preliminaries.

About SPIRE Institute

SPIRE Institute, in Geneva Ohio, integrates sports and education, training and wellness with a focus on the development of the whole self.  It features 750,000 sq. ft. of Olympic grade facilities under roof, acres of outdoor fields and a multi-sport stadium complex. SPIRE and its nationally renowned coaches offer residential high school and post grad academy programs, summer and holiday camps, and weekend training sessions in soccer, track & field, volleyball, swimming and basketball (with more sports to follow).  Junior athletes train alongside collegians, professionals, wounded veterans, Olympians, Paralympians and masters level athletes. SPIRE features athletic development programs with Michael Johnson Performance, mental skills training, sports medicine, nutrition and wellness programs, and a variety of customized high school and collegiate academic options. SPIRE can simultaneously host clubs, leagues, tournaments and championship events, in multiple sports, no matter the weather or the season. SPIRE Institute is a part of the Geneva area Recreational, Educational and Athletic Trust, a non-profit organization that re-invests every dollar back into the development of its athletes, its programs and its facilities.