AWARD WINNING COACHES

LOS ANGELES – September 29, 2009 – Five Southern California coaches - Holli Omori, Lonnie Neal, Frankie De Guzman, Jeff Brown and Mike Hughes, Jr. – were honored on September 26, 2009 by Nike Basketball and LeBron James at his More Than a Game world-tour stop in Los Angeles.  The coaches, who were selected from nominations solicited by the LA84 Foundation, have consistently demonstrated the ability to make a difference in the lives of their players on and off the court.

The award ceremony took place at the Hollywood and Highland Center in front of an enthusiastic audience.  As part of the festivities, each award winner had the opportunity to coach a Hollywood celebrities game.  But, in the eyes of the athletes they have influenced over the years, it was clear that the coaches are the real stars.

Holli Omori who is a PE teacher at Paul Revere Middle School also received the special distinction of being named “More Than A Coach.”  She was cited as being an inspiration to succeed in every aspect of one’s life by those she has coached.  In addition to her coaching basketball after school in the Beyond the Bell/LA84 Foundation Middle School Sports Program.  Ms. Omori also coaches a traveling team.  She travels each year to Bangledesh to coach young girls who would otherwise never have the opportunity to play.

Lonnie Neal is a man in motion at Audubon Middle School.  He keeps students connected to the school as the Site Coordinator for the YS PLUS after school program. “Coach Neal" coaches the sports teams after school and on weekends. His love for basketball and all sports is contagious.  His athletes not only respect him as a coach, but also see him as an excellent role model.

Frankie de Guzman is known for teaching her athletes the importance of being physically fit and committed to something that will become a passion.  Her coaching experience includes the Gahr High School Girls Basketball Team, Mayfair High School Girls Basketball Team and the N.S.A.A Basketball Team.

Jeff Brown’s philosophy is to make sure that his athletes know that someone cares about them.  In addition to his coaching duties,  Mr. Brown manages two to three hundred boys and girls and thirty volunteer coaches at Kids In Sports Pasadena Y.E.S.  He is less interested in winning than in developing young lives. As he has stated, “Kids are winning if they get exercise, if they're making friends. The final score is irrelevant.”

Mike Hughes, Jr. started playing at the Kids In Sports Pasadena Y.E.S. club when he was 12 years old.  When he grew out of the program he became a coach. He manages to establish a great rapport with his athletes, most of whom want to stay with him year after year.

	Coaches honored by LeBron James at the More Than Game world-tour stop in Los Angeles, September 26, 2009

LeBron James' recently released his book "Shooting Stars." Read a Sports Letter interview with James' co-author Buzz Bissinger.

About LA84 Foundation: The LA84 Foundation was established to manage Southern California's share of the surplus from the highly successful 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The Foundation received $93 million at its inception and, since then, has invested $185 million in sports programs serving more than two million youth in the eight Southern California counties of Los Angeles, Imperial, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Ventura. Its headquarters is located in the historic Britt House near downtown Los Angeles where it houses the world's premier sports library and meeting facilities. The Foundation convenes numerous forums for the exploration of the most pressing issues in sport. For additional information, please visit www.LA84Foundation.org.