Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
US Games Bringing Kevin Atlas to #SHAPESLC Opening General Session
RESTON, VA, October 30, 2019 — US Games and SHAPE America – Society of Health and Physical Educators today announced that US Games will sponsor the opening general session during the 2020 SHAPE America National Convention & Expo (#SHAPESLC), to be held April 21-25 at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City.
The US Games-sponsored speaker will be the inspirational Kevin Atlas [Laue], the first player missing a limb to play NCAA Division 1 basketball. Atlas travels the world telling his remarkable story of overcoming the challenge of being born with one arm to achieve his basketball dreams. He uses humor and audience participation to tell the story of his extraordinary life, which was chronicled in the 2013 Oscar-qualifying documentary, “Long Shot: The Kevin Laue Story.”
“Today more than ever, teachers and schools need to help students develop the skills to overcome stress, bullying and other types of adversity,” said SHAPE America CEO Stephanie Morris. “We are thrilled to partner with US Games to bring Kevin Atlas and his inspiring personal journey to our health and PE community.”
SHAPE America and US Games share a commitment to inclusion and ensuring that teaching environments are welcoming to individuals of all abilities. Schools increasingly recognize the importance of teaching students social and emotional skills that help them make smarter decisions, recognize and respond to their own emotions, form effective peer relationships, and persevere through difficulty. Through Atlas’ keynote presentation, #SHAPESLC attendees will gain inspiration and real-world stories they can take back to their classrooms.
“US Games works continually to support the efforts of physical educators across the country as they teach and inspire their students,” said Kurt Stone, Division Manager, US Games. “Bringing Kevin and his story to SHAPE America national convention attendees in Salt Lake City is just one more way we can help these educators find new ways to address the social and emotional skills their students need.”
The SHAPE America National Convention & Expo delivers more than 300 program sessions, two keynote presentations, engaging networking opportunities, and a multi-faceted expo featuring more than 120 vendors. Through its partnership, US Games will offer five OPEN National Trainer-led sessions during the convention, in addition to hosting a booth in the exhibit hall.
Registration for #SHAPESLC will open in early November 2019. Learn more at convention.shapeamerica.org.
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About SHAPE America
SHAPE America – Society of Health and Physical Educators is the national organization that serves as the voice for 200,000+ health and physical education professionals across the nation. Since its founding in 1885, the organization has defined excellence in physical education, and our National Standards for K-12 Physical Education serve as the foundation for well-designed physical education programs across the country. We provide programs, resources and advocacy that support an inclusive, active, kinder, and healthier school culture and champion health and physical educators at every level, from preschool to university graduate programs. Our extensive community includes members, advocates and supporters, as well as 51 state affiliate organizations (including the District of Columbia). Together we are working, in and out of schools, to prepare every child to lead a healthy, physically active life. For more information, visit www.shapeamerica.org.
About US Games
US Games is the nation’s leading supplier of physical education equipment and curriculum. A part of BSN Sports and Varsity Brands, US Games offers a full line of the equipment educators need, and is the sole sponsor of OPEN, the free physical education curriculum created by teachers, for teachers. For more information on US Games visit www.usgames.com.