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History of the President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition

1977 - 1993 (Selected Highlights)

Administration: James E. Carter
Date: 1977 - 1981
Chair:
Governor Jerry Apodaca
Chairman 1978 - 1980

Al McGuire
Chairman, 1980 - 1981
Event/Program:
Council membership amended to 15 members; President Carter speaks at 1st National Conference on Physical Fitness. In 1979, physical fitness and exercise become one of 15 priority areas in a national health promotion/disease prevention initiative with PCPFS as lead agency; CDC, science advisor. Congress passes Amateur Sports Act of 1978 reorganizing the USOC.
Administration: Ronald W. Reagan
Date: 1981 - 1989
Chair:
George Allen
Chairman, 1981 - 1988

Richard Kazmaier
Chairman, 1988 - 1989

C. Carson Conrad
Executive Director, 1970 - 1984

Ash E. Hayes
Executive Director, 1985 - 1989
Event/Program:
The Executive Order is amended to 10 objectives. The 1985 National School Population Fitness Survey spurs the development of the National Physical Fitness Award. PCPFS joins National Recreation and Parks Association in the National Fitness Coalition to stimulate recreation and parks officials to initiate fitness programs. Some of Coach Allen's goals included: the National Fitness Foundation; U.S. Fitness Academy; National Fitness Classic; Adult Fitness Card; and National Fitness Testing Week, Youth Fitness Forums, etc. The Healthy American Fitness Leaders Award begins and a physical fitness postage stamp is issued. Coach Allen appointed 44 Special Advisors. 1983 - White House Symposium on Physical Fitness and Sports Medicine and May is proclaimed National Physical Fitness and Sports Month; 1984 - National Conference on Youth Fitness and 6 regional public hearings on physical fitness and physical education take place. Also in 1984, The first National Women's Leadership Conference on Fitness takes place with First Lady as Honorary Chair. In 1987, the Amateur Athletic Union is awarded the contract to administer today's President's Challenge. In the public health arena, the PCPFS reports on the 1990 Objectives in the exercise and fitness priority area. In 1991, the Participant Physical Fitness Award is added.
Administration: George H. Bush
Date: 1989 - 1993
Chair:
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Chairman, 1990 - 1992

Wilmer "Vinegar Bend" Mizell
Executive Director, 1989 - 1991

John Butterfield
Executive Director, 1991 - 1993
Event/Program:
Great American Workouts are held on White House lawn; chairman visits all 50 states to advocate for daily, quality physical education; the Council is expanded to 20 members; this is prolific era for public/private collaboration on physical fitness programs and initiatives. In 1989, the PCPFS is named lead agency on physical activity and fitness priority area of Healthy People 2000; CDC is science advisor. In 1990, the National Conference on Military Fitness takes place to review important physical fitness issues facing the Uniformed Services today. In 1991, the Participant Physical Fitness Award is added. The Presidential Sports Award recognizes the first family to earn the 'Family Fitness Award.'

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