Three SAACs combine to organize leadership training event for youths

The FuLbIr Olympics -- it's a funny name, but a great idea.

The SAACs who hosted the event were from the University of California, Irvine; California State University, Long Beach; and California State University, Fullerton. The funny name is rooted in the SAACs' host schools, with each of the participating universities represented by two letters.

Student-athletes from the three schools led the event, held at the UC Irvine athletics complex, in which 150 youngsters participated. The SAACs also raised $500 for the Orangewood Children's Home in Orange, California.

"The activities were really amazing," said Karla Montealegre, research specialist at Carl Harvet Elementary School in Santa Ana, California.

"We're definitely going to take (the activities) back to school and use them. And after all this, the kids really want to come back and go to the athletics games."

In addition to the leadership training, the youngsters also received a T-shirt, lunch and a tour of the UC Irvine campus.

--Kay Hawes