|
|
Lou Vazquez Named Randalls Island Head
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 6, 2006
LOUIS VAZQUEZ, DIRECTOR OF ICAHN STADIUM, NAMED SPORTS DIRECTOR, RANDALL’S ISLAND PARK
New York, NY – The Randall’s Island Sports Foundation (RISF) is excited to name Louis Vazquez the first Sports Director for Randall’s Island Park. The announcement was made today by Aimee Boden, Executive Director of RISF.
“We are pleased that Mr. Vazquez has accepted the position as Sports Director for Randall’s Island Park,” says Boden. “His reputation, skills and enthusiasm will have a remarkable impact on our objective to provide sports fields and programming and transform Randall’s Island Park into the premiere sports destination in the country.”
“With the development of new sports fields on Randall’s Island in the next year, and the expansion of the highly-successful Randall’s Island Kids (RIK) program, Vazquez’ leadership and wealth of experience in sports management will be invaluable to our organization,” Boden continues.
“We are confident that Vazquez will continue to add to the stature of a city whose reputation as a running stronghold continues to grow with the addition of state-of-the-art facilities such as Icahn Stadium, and international events including the Reebok Grand Prix,” said New York City Parks and Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe.
Vazquez, a highly-respected figure in New York City track and field, is also known for his own track career as an incredibly successful indoor and outdoor distance runner at Brooklyn College. Vazquez has held coaching positions in the Catholic High School Athletic Association and at Bishop Ford Central Catholic High School, and has directed more than 10 prestigious annual track and field meets involving more than 60 schools. In his new role, he will continue as Director of Icahn Stadium, a position he has held since the stadium’s opening in April 2005.
Most recently, Vazquez served as Director of Special Events at The Armory Foundation, where he coordinated all major high school track and field events, including the New York Hispanic Games, the largest indoor meet in the country. Mr. Vazquez will continue to direct a number of track meets at the Armory in his new role.
“Lou has had a tremendous impact on our young athletes and we are thrilled that he will continue to work with New York City’s future indoor and outdoor Olympians,” said Dr. Norbert Sander, President of The Armory Foundation. “This is truly a win-win scenario for The Armory and RISF.”
Vazquez graduated from Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, and holds a Master of Sports Science from Long Island University.
DESCRIPTION OF RISF:
Randall’s Island Sports Foundation (RISF), founded in 1992, is a public-private partnership with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation that seeks to realize the unique potential of 480 waterfront parkland acres anchoring Manhattan, the Bronx and Queens.
RISF strives to empower under-resourced children through sports and recreation with an investment of over $300 million over the next five years in world class facilities, playing fields and programming.
DESCRIPTION OF RIK:
Currently, RISF provides over 10,000 under-resourced children, primarily from Harlem and the South Bronx, with free programming through Randall’s Island Kids (RIK). RIK programming currently includes RIK Camp, RIK Sports, RIK Nature, RIK Dance and the Jesse Owens Track & Field Club.
|
|
