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Byron Davis, of Los Angeles, Flew to Pittsburgh for the City Championship Swim Meet in 1999Byron's Visit to Pittsburgh in 1999 started bigger plans for 2000 and beyond.Lecture Series Tips Its Hand with Preview EncounterDavis began swimming at an inter-city YMCA at age 8, graduated from UCLA and is an inspirational spokesperson for USA Swimming. Davis visited Pittsburgh for three days as a guest of the local team coached by Hosea Holder. Davis and the local swim officials took their story directly to the kids and parents. On Saturday, the crew mingled and evangelized the swimming lifestyle at two meets, visiting the City of Pittsburgh Aquatic Divisions' summer meet in Highland Park as well as the Eastern Zone Championships at Pitt. Byron's goals for swimming and speaking match well with those of Mark Rauterkus, a former sports publisher and the first-year general manager of the year-round swim team. Rauterkus wants to rev-up the regional swim scene, and announced a new sports-lecture series. Nicknamed, S6, the non-profit endeavor is to be called the Sport, Spirit & Soul Story & Song Summit. S6 expects to host events in the year 2000 and aims to bring Davis back to Pittsburgh as its first headline speaker following his Olympic Trials quest. For added family appeal, Byron's next trip to Pittsburgh might even include his wife, Annett Buckner Davis, pro-beach volleyball player currently #2 team on the tour.
"We call ourselves a sports town, yet I feel we miss out on these types of messages and gatherings. Our kids and our community can learn a great deal about ourselves with in-depth appearances and contacts. Byron, and many others in sports from around the world, present interesting, energizing messages." How and why discussions fail as media sound-bites. This concept goes way beyond the ESPN highlights of the 100-Greatest Athletes of the Century. "We could use additional fun, fresh, enrichment experiences. I want my young boys to grow up with a healthy diet of sport influences that don't include the WWF. Sports participation is much more than stadium sitting." S6's seasonal, if not monthly, occurrences would bring a diverse group of international experts to the area. "Keynote talks, event mingling, technique demonstrations, psyche clinics, sport schmoozing -- all bolstered by literacy components would jazz our perspectives and stretch our spirits," said Rauterkus. Those connected to schools, civic groups, and companies can step forward now. Individual volunteers from throughout Western Pennsylvania are needed for planning and early stage implementation. This village can host frequent engagements. Email: Mark@SportSurf.Net. Call: 412-481-2497. Additional information about Byron Davis, the weekend clinics, news on other programs such as a new Swimmers' Zoo Camp is online at: www.FreeTeam.Org and www.SportSurf.Net.
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"By and large, Pittsburgh's kids don't know of Byron, his saga, and his message. Same too for Annett. I'd love to create a vehicle to help change that tide. A goal of S6 is to raise awareness for positive messages of those who strive for excellence," said Rauterkus.