2003 LA WATTS SUMMER GAMES NEWS
Presented by the Los Angeles Junior Chamber of Commerce

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: JUNE 13, 2003

MEDIA CONTACT: RAMONA VARGAS, PROGRAM MANAGER
(323) 377-5432

WWW.LAJCC.ORG
350 S. Bixel Street, Suite 100
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Phone: 888-52-LAWSG

L.A. WATTS SUMMER GAMES KICK OFF WITH CELEBRITY LINEUP

LOS ANGELES - More than 7,000 high school students from throughout California will participate in the largest high school tournament in the nation. The 2003 L.A. Watts Summer Games will take place on June 14, 15, 21 & 22 at L.A. Southwest College (1600 W. Imperial Hwy., L.A.), Cabrillo High School (2001 Santa Fe Ave., Long Beach) and 14 area high schools. Students will compete in 18 boys and girls sports events including cheerleading, basketball, soccer, football, golf, baseball, softball, wrestling, water polo, volleyball, tennis, and track & field.

The Games will kick off with an Opening Ceremony at LA Southwest College beginning at 12 p.m. The celebrity lineup will include Nate Evans (former lead singer of the legendary Temptations) who will begin the ceremony with the national anthem, followed by remarks from actor and comedian Michael Colyar. Edward James Olmos will also be on the program to speak and assist in a presentation of "CHOICES", a 35-minute anti-violence assembly presented by the Bilingual Foundation of the Arts. Other festivities throughout the day include an appearance by Councilman Bernard Parks, and a Games Expo filled with interactive games, sponsor booths, prizes and giveaways.

Many defending champions are in the sports lineup, especially boys basketball. Nationally ranked Fairfax boys basketball will defend the title and try to advance to the finals to be held on June 22. With a field of 128 boys and girls basketball teams, competition should be fierce. The Games has a prestigious alumni list, with athletes such as Lisa Leslie, Byron Scott, John Elway, Florence Griffith Joyner, to name only a few.

While the Games continue to feature some of the top-ranked high school talent in the nation, it is not just an athletic competition. The Games also include sportsmanship awards, art competition, and scholarships. The Los Angeles Junior Chamber of Commerce, founder of the Games, is awarding more than $40,000 in scholarships to students for their academic achievements and community service. Since its inception in 1992, the LAJCC has awarded more than $300,000.

Developed as a healing response to the 1965 Watts Riots, the mission of the Games is to build bridges of understanding among high school youth. The Games strive to promote positive interaction, respect and achievement through spirited competition in athletics, arts and scholastics. The Games are managed by a 60-person volunteer steering committee, 2 full-time staff, 1,000 volunteers and 600 volunteer CIF officials. More than 4,000 volunteer hours contribute to the success of the Games each year.

All events are free and open to the public. Parking is free at all venues. Food and beverages are available for purchase at the main venues. Schedules and brackets can be found on the Games website at www.lajcc.org, or call toll free for additional information: 888.52.LAWSG.

# # # #