Attendees include USOC’s Alicia McConnell and Baltimore city leaders on June 22
Contact: Jon Solomon
Sports & Society Program
jon.solomon@aspeninstitute.org
205-572-2907
Washington, DC, June 15, 2017 — The Aspen Institute will hold a half-day event on June 22 with high-level discussion about the state of youth sports in Baltimore. The event begins with keynote remarks from Alicia McConnell, the director of training sites and community partners at the United States Olympic Committee and a former squash national champion.
Supported by Under Armour, Project Play: Baltimore is the nation’s first model youth sports community with the Aspen Institute’s Project Play initiative. The goal is to expand the quality and quantity of Baltimore’s sport experiences so local youth may receive each of the associated physical, mental and social benefits.
Project Play: Baltimore is based on a simple idea: No organization can do this alone. With the help of community leaders, city officials and youth, Project Play: Baltimore analyzed a two square-mile area of East Baltimore that is home to 17 schools, 19 outdoor basketball courts, 14 parks, five pools, four rec centers and one ice rink.
The Aspen Institute’s initial report will be released at the Project Play: Baltimore Huddle event. Surveys taken by Baltimore youth and administrators help shape the findings, which city leaders will discuss to begin developing strategic solutions over multiple years. Among the ideas that will be discussed is a possible role for the Baltimore Children and Youth Fund to improve youth sports opportunities.
Press and cameras are welcome at the event, which will be led by Aspen Institute Sports & Society Executive Director Tom Farrey and Project Play: Baltimore Project Coordinator Andre Fountain. Join the conversation live via Twitter at #ProjectPlayBmore. Interviews with speakers are available at the event.
WHO:
- Alicia McConnell, Director of Training Sites and Community Partners, United States Olympic Committee
- John Brothers, Co-Chairman of Baltimore Children and Youth Fund task force
- Lester Davis, Deputy Chief of Staff for Baltimore City Council President Bernard C. “Jack” Young
- Bob Wall, Chief of Recreation, Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks
WHEN: Thursday, June 22, 2017, 12 – 5:15 pm EDT. (Lunch is available at 12 pm. Alicia McConnell will speak at 12:45. The Children and Youth Fund panel will occur at 4:30.)
WHERE: UA House, 1100 Fayette Street, Baltimore, MD 21202
QUESTIONS: For more information prior to the event or on June 22, please contact Jon Solomon at jon.solomon@aspeninstitute.org or (205) 572-2907.
ABOUT THE ASPEN INSTITUTE: The Aspen Institute is a nonpartisan forum for values-based leadership and the exchange of ideas. Based in Washington, DC, the Institute also has campuses in Aspen, CO, and on the Wye River in eastern Maryland, and maintains offices in New York City and several other cities.