Jasmine Wilson is carrying the torch for Alabama State University. She is one of 29 minority student leaders from colleges and universities across the country that will participate in the U.S. Olympic Committee’s (USOC) Finding Leaders Among Minorities Everywhere (F.L.A.M.E.) program.
The program will be held July 24-27 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.
F.L.A.M.E., which is celebrating its 17th anniversary, gives students an in-depth look at the Olympic Movement and personal exploration of the Olympic ideals of persistence, commitment, vision, focus and determination.
The program focuses on mentoring students so that they can apply Olympic-oriented principles to all aspects of their lives. It also offers a pathway for talented young people to become further involved in the Olympic Movement either through the USOC’s college internship program or other career and volunteer opportunities.
Wilson, a junior business management major from New Orleans is embarking on her third season as a member of the ASU women’s soccer team. She said the opportunity to be a part of F.L.A.M.E. will broaden her horizons and help her to view the world of sports from the administrator’s perspective.
“It is beyond an honor and privilege to be selected,” Wilson said. “This opportunity means a lot. I will use this opportunity to network and gain more knowledge of the sports administration field while working with professionals. It will allow to me to be an all around student-athlete.”
“F.L.A.M.E. is a key outreach program for the USOC,” said Scott Blackmun, USOC chief executive officer. “Through F.L.A.M.E., we are able to communicate the Olympic Spirit on a personal level with the bright minds participating in the program. Like previous F.L.A.M.E. alumni, this year’s participants will go on to become elite athletes, Olympic family employees and leaders in their communities and professions.”
F.L.A.M.E. participants in this year’s program represent 19 colleges and universities and hail from 15 states across the nation. They will live among athletes-in-training, residing in the dormitories and eating alongside U.S. Olympians, Paralympians and hopefuls. Participants will have one-on-one discussions with motivational speakers, such as legendary five-time Olympian Teresa Edwards (basketball, 1984, ’88, ’92, ’96, 2000), three-time Olympian Cindy Stinger (team handball, 1984, ’88, ’92), three-time Olympian Derek Parra (speedskating, 1998, 2002, 2006), two-time Paralympian Ralph Green (alpine skiing, 2006, ’10) and USOC CEO Scott Blackmun. Also, participants will see Track & Field Olympian Willie Banks (1980, ’84, ’88) presented the program’s first F.L.A.M.E. Award in recognition of his sport legacy
Additional activities include sport demonstrations conducted by USOC resident athletes and Olympians, such as fencers Jason Pryor and Olympian Ivan Lee (2004), a table tennis demonstration with Austin Priess and a banquet.
For more information, please contact the USOC Communications Division at 719-866-4529 or visit
www.teamusa.org.