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SIDs to get fit at CoSIDA convention

The College Sports Information Directors of America is administering a charity 5K run/walk event June 26 in conjunction with the organization’s annual convention June 26-30 in Marco Island, Fla.

The 5K run/walk is open to all CoSIDA convention attendees and spouses, friends and children. The registration cost for all runners and walkers will be a small donation to St. Matthew’s House: $5 for one person or $10 for a family. All proceeds go directly to St. Matthew’s House.

The event is being organized by the CoSIDA Goodwill Committee, which over the last few years has added health to its service and outreach mission.

“We felt this event would be a great way to get the convention kicked off on the right foot, so to speak,” said CoSIDA Goodwill Committee chair Sam Atkinson, Gallaudet  sports information director. “We want to stress to our colleagues the importance of exercise and taking care of yourself. This is a great opportunity for all of us to get out from the computers and smart phones and enjoy an hour on the beach running or walking with our families and friends.”

St. Matthew’s House in Naples, Fla., is a nonprofit entity that has been housing and feeding the homeless since 1987. Donations will be collected at the Goodwill Committee table during registration from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. June 26.

Last year in San Francisco, the CoSIDA Goodwill Committee collected more than 400 items from convention attendees, which included a large donation from the 2010 BCS National Championship game courtesy of the Rose Bowl.

“We wanted to continue to give back to our convention host city, and after researching the region, we found St. Matthew’s House to be the best fit for us to leave a positive mark,” said CoSIDA Goodwill Committee vice chair Ryan Klinkner, the athletics media relations director at St. John’s (Minnesota). “We got the ball rolling last year in San Francisco and we strive to make this donation drive a yearly event for CoSIDA.”