2009 F.L.A.M.E. Application Materials

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Applications for the 2009 F.L.A.M.E. (Finding Leaders Among Minorities Everywhere) program, hosted by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) on August 1-4, 2009, are now being accepted.

Celebrating its 16th year, F.L.A.M.E. is a dynamic, educational program packed with leadership enhancement opportunities, the chance to learn from USOC leaders, Olympians and Paralympians, engage in sports demonstrations and enhance self-discovery.

Participants will spend four inspirational-filled days at the U.S. Olympic Complex in Colorado Springs, Colorado with other college student leaders from around the country. Participants receive free roundtrip airfare from their hometowns to Colorado Springs, Colorado, and live like Olympic hopefuls in the athlete dormitory. Additional program expenses are also covered by the USOC.

The program's itinerary includes motivational presentations by Olympians and Paralympians, leadership seminars conducted by USOC and NGB staff leaders, networking and financial literacy workshops, Olympic/Paralympic sport demonstrations, field trips to local attractions, and information on the USOC College Internship Program.

Previous speakers at the F.L.A.M.E. program have included Olympians and Paralympians such as the late five-time Olympian and two-time silver medalist Willye White (1956, '60, '64, '68, ‘72); the legendary 10,000 meter gold medalist Billy Mills (1964); two-time gold medalist in taekwondo Steven Lopez (2000, '04); and Paralympic track & field bronze medalist April Holmes (2004) to name a few.

Application materials must be postmarked by June 12, 2009.

If you have any questions, please call F.L.A.M.E. Committee Chairperson, Erica Hutchinson, at 719-866-4604 or e-mail Erica at flame@usoc.org.

Notification letters will be postmarked and sent to all applicants no later than June 19, 2009.

Mission:           In the spirit of the Olympic Ideals (Persistence, Vision, Focus, Discipline, and Commitment) F.L.A.M.E. inspires minority college students to cultivate their desire to succeed and rise above the ordinary level of expectations.  F.L.A.M.E. will enhance the mind, body and spirit by providing minority student leaders with:

• Opportunities for personal and professional growth
• An inside look at the USOC, its structure and processes
• Exposure to other student leaders from throughout the nation
• Information about the USOC College Internship Program
• Role models (Olympians, Paralympians and others) to whom they can relate and aspire to emulate

Participants:     Applicants are undergraduate or graduate students (ages 18-24) who have demonstrated leadership through academics, athletics and community involvement and have a particular interest in the field of sport management.

History:            F.L.A.M.E. was founded in 1994 as a national outreach program for minority youth.  The program was originally designed for ages 13-18.  The program focused on educating and exposing youth to the Olympic Movement and its ideals.  Beginning in 2006, the F.L.A.M.E. program was targeted toward college students in an effort to better tie the program to future USOC college internship and employment opportunities. 

The F.L.A.M.E. Program is unique and includes seminars and workshops taught by USOC leaders, Olympic and Paralympic athletes, and community leaders who have achieved personal, professional or athletic successes in life.  Participants learn how to set and achieve goals and increase their self-confidence through:

• Enhancing leadership skills
• Building group dynamics
• Establishing a discipline of self discovery and preparation
• Improving communication strategies
• Attending motivational seminars
• Participating in interactive sport demonstrations