By: Dan Sousa
Sterling (Oct. 24, 2007) – Park View High School has been selected to implement the NFL’s ATLAS and ATHENA anti-steroids program.
Park View will be one of only 40 high schools nationwide to implement the program for the 2007-2008 school year. The program is designed to specifically target areas of concern within youth athletics and is separated by gender.
ATLAS is the program for male student-athletes and the acronym stands for Athletes Training and Learning to Avoid Steroids; while ATHENA is the program for female student athletes and stands for Athletes Targeting Healthy Exercise and Nutritional Alternatives.
The programs are more than a series of mandated informational sessions.
The success of the ATLAS and ATHENA programs are based upon positive and authentic student leadership. Student leaders and coaches from Park View attended the ATLAS and ATHENA training on October 2nd at FedEx Field. That was the day the NFL announced its $1.2 Million Youth Anti-Steroid Program. The Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation has taken the lead in teaming with the program founded by researchers at Oregon Health & Science University.
The October 2nd training session saw the developers of the program instruct both student leaders (squad leaders) and coaches on how to implement the program at their individual schools. Leaders were given the opportunity to go through several of the programs activities and lessons. They also were given direct feedback as to the techniques that will make this an effective and influential program with their classmates and teammates. At the end of the session for both the male and female student leaders, groups were required to present a Public Service Announcement to promote awareness using information that they had learned throughout the morning.
The ATLAS and ATHENA programs focus on nutrition and exercise as alternatives to drug use. Patriot student leaders and coaches will implement the program with student-athletes during the Homeroom Flex period that meets bi-weekly. Sessions involve a variety of topics and activities, including efforts to promote healthy choices (through Public Service Announcements or other initiatives) throughout the school and community.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse supports the efforts of the ATLAS and ATHENA program. The funding for the materials is provided by the NFL Youth Football Fund.
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