USSA Joins Fight Against Underage Drinking

PARK CITY, UT (January 14) – The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) took a step to draw awareness of an issue that impacts all youth sports organizations, announcing a partnership with ParentsEmpowered, Utah’s underage drinking prevention initiative. As part of the partnership between the U.S. Ski Team, U.S. Snowboarding, U.S. Freeskiing and ParentsEmpowered, 3D signs will be installed at state liquor stores in Park City, with each sign featuring a message about the harmful effects of underage drinking. In addition, the partnership will launch a series of related billboard and newspaper messages that remind parents to stay vigilant in keeping alcohol away from kids.

HIGHLIGHTS

• The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) announced a partnership with ParentsEmpowered, Utah’s underage drinking prevention initiative at a press conference held at the Utah State Liquor Store in Snow Creek Plaza in Park City.
• ParentsEmpowered is a highly regarded program in Utah with strong support from Governor Gary Herbert. The Student Health and Risk Prevention (SHARP) survey showed a decrease in underage drinking since ParentsEmpowered began partnering with community organizations.
• As part of the partnership between the U.S. Ski Team, U.S. Snowboarding, U.S. Freeskiing and ParentsEmpowered, 3D signs will be installed at state liquor stores in Park City, with each sign featuring a message about the harmful effects of underage drinking. In addition, the partnership will launch a series of related billboard and newspaper messages that remind parents to stay vigilant in keeping alcohol away from kids.
• USSA Vice President, Athletics, Luke Bodensteiner spoke about the partnership, reiterating the importance of creating a positive, alcohol-free environment for children in sports.
• He was joined by a host of officials including Utah Underage Drinking Workgroup co-chair Art Brown, newly elected Park City Mayor Jack Thomas and Park City Chief of Police Wade Carpenter.
• ParentsEmpowered is a statewide campaign focused on eliminating underage drinking in Utah. Its primary goals are to educate parents about the dangers of underage drinking and provide them with proven skills to help their children remain alcohol-free. More information is available at www.ParentsEmpowered.org.

QUOTES
Luke Bodensteiner, USSA Executive Vice President, Athletics
We are very proud to lend our support to the Parents Empowered initiative. We are equally grateful for the support that Parents Empowers has offered us in helping our team address the issue of underage drinking, which is really something that every sports organization that deals with youth has to consider. Ultimately, we are in the business of developing people, not just athletes.

What Parents Empowered has done for the coaches has really helped us become proactive about the issue and learn to discuss this topic. It’s helped us to be clear with our athletes about our expectations and provide them with support in making strong personal choices that enhance their development as elite level athletes. We believe it will have a positive impact on not only our team, but the community surrounding them in Park City and statewide. Ultimately, this partnership will enhance our organization’s ability to lead.