SPALDING HAS WHAT IT TAKES TO BE "GOOD SPORTS" RECOGNIZED AS COMMUNITY PARTNER TO BENEFIT YOUTH
-- Second Annual Good Sports Awards recognize efforts to increase low-income youths' participation in physical fitness activities --

BOSTON, FEBRUARY 3, 2005
Good Sports, Inc., founded in 2003 to increase youth participation in sports, fitness and recreational programs by providing much needed equipment donations, awarded Spalding as a recipient of the Second Annual Good Sports Awards.

Spalding, a division of Russell Corporation, was recognized as Good Sport Partner at an event held at Fenway Park, Thursday night. Dan Touhey, vice president of marketing for Spalding, has spearheaded Spalding's involvement with Good Sports since the organization was founded. In addition to advising Good Sports on its strategy and business model, Spalding has donated thousands of dollars in sports equipment and also made financial contributions to the organization. Through its ongoing equipment donations, Spalding has enabled thousands of youth in Boston, Lawrence and its "hometown" of Springfield to participate in sports and recreation programs.

"We share Good Sports' philosophy of providing plentiful opportunities for our youth to get more involved in recreational activities, sports and fitness programs," stated Touhey. "We encourage greater participation in sports at all levels, but particularly young people, and we're pleased to help the community," stated Touhey.

Other 2005 Good sports Award Recipients include:

• Good Sport Youth Program:
  Merritting Attention Merritting Attention, Inc., founded in 1996 by Larry L. Merritt, encourages young people to become a student in the classroom first and a student of the game second. Merritting Attention has organized numerous youth basketball programs and family days in Boston neighborhoods.


• Good Sport in Sports:
  Bronson Arroyo Athletes are in a unique position to use their fame and influence to better the communities in which they play. Bronson Arroyo has given his time and talent to youth sports programs, teaching young people the game of baseball, touring with the World Series Trophy and signing autographs to raise money for youth sports programs.


• Boston Bruins Foundation
  The Boston Bruins Foundation was founded to improve the quality of life for area children and it has done just that, especially in the field of youth sports. The Bruins Foundation has contributed to rebuilding ice rinks and parks in low-income communities, worked with players to teach young people the game of hockey, and hosted kids at the FleetCenter to learn to skate on the same ice where the pros play.

February 3 Award Event Features Local Filmmaker/Olympian Mary Mazzio
The Second Annual Good Sports Awards dinner will take place February 3 at the .406 Club at Fenway Park. Former Olympic rower and independent filmmaker Mary Mazzio, CEO of 50 Eggs Productions and a Wellesley resident, will deliver the keynote address. Mazzio's films, including the award-winning "Apple Pie" and "A Hero for Daisy," chronicle the inspirational lives of extraordinary athletes, from soccer phenom Mia Hamm (in "Apple Pie") to two-time Olympic rower Chris Ernst (in "A Hero for Daisy").

Why is this event important?
Good Sports distributes sports equipment to schools, community centers and youth athletic teams in urban areas throughout Massachusetts focusing on low-income and under-served youth. Recent studies have shown a decrease in the amount of physical activity among young people and a corresponding increase in childhood obesity. Low-income youth often have fewer opportunities to participate in sports and reap the social and physical benefits of such programs due to limited school and community center budgets for sporting equipment and athletic apparel.

Last year, Good Sports benefited more than 10,000 young people through its equipment distribution program. The February 3 event celebrates the organization's success and honors the efforts of community organizations and equipment donors that have made a difference in the lives of young people.

Must-Have Boston Sports Memorabilia
The February 3 event also features a silent auction for must-have Boston sports memorabilia, such as a football autographed by Superbowl-bound Tom Brady, a Boston Red Sox jersey autographed by World Series Champ Johnny Damon, and a baseball autographed by Hall of Famer Wade Boggs. All proceeds from the event benefit Good Sports.

To Apply for a Good Sports Grant or Make a Donation
Good Sports and the United Way of Massachusetts Bay recently formed an innovative partnership enabling Good Sports to distribute more than $1 million worth of sports equipment to youth programs. Eligibility criteria and a grant application can be accessed through the Good Sports web-site at www.good-sports.org. Businesses and individuals interested in donating equipment or making a monetary donation to Good Sports can contact Good Sports Executive Director Melissa Tatro Harper, 617-426-0503.