Foster will be among the special guests at PIPYS event

May 27, 2015

For more on the event, including registration information, click HERE, and see video below.
 
NASHVILLE — With former Vanderbilt star Shan Foster scheduled to be among the special guests, the Program for Injury Prevention in Youth Sports (PIPYS) will host a two-day event at the Gaylord Springs Clubhouse.

The event will begin with a Youth Sports Celebration Gala from 6-9 p.m. on July 16, and the following day will feature a Youth Sports Safety Conference from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. There will also be a silent auction at the gala with Vanderbilt items up for bid.

Foster — who played basketball at VU from 2005-08 and is the program’s all-time leading scorer — will be presenting at the conference on behalf of the YWCA and its MEND program.

Dr. Alex Diamond, the director of the PIPYS, is encouraging anyone involved in the healthcare, coaching or life of young athletes to attend the two-day event.

“Sports are important for children to develop fitness and strength, build self-esteem and confidence and be part of a team,” Diamond said. “However, an estimated 3.5 million children and an additional two million high school students receive medical treatment for a sports-related injury each year. We believe it is vital to make a concerted effort to reduce that number. For all the physical and mental health benefits that sports provide, we need more kids participating, not less.”

In addition to Foster, the event is scheduled to include a long list of other special guests. Mayor Karl Dean will provide the opening remarks for the conference on July 17, and Vanderbilt associate athletic director Candice Lee will be discussing the leadership role university athletic programs have in sports safety.

Other keynote speakers are scheduled to include Lieutenant General Richard P. Mills, commander of the US Marine Corps Forces Reserve & Marine Forces North; Dr. Carolyn Emery of the University of Calgary; and Jim Thornton, from Clarion University and President of the National Athletic Trainer’s Association.

Senator Jim Tracy and Nashville Predators CEO Jeff Cogen, along with Tracy Maxwell of Hazingprevention.org and Darren Sudman of Simon’s Fund, are also scheduled to speak.