"Positive Athlete Day" Proclamation

Saturday, April 21st is "Positive Athlete Day", per proclamation by Luke Ravenstahl, Mayor of the City of Pittsburgh.

WHEREAS, known for his record-breaking and game-winning performances as a wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Hines Ward is also recognized for his generosity, optimism and positivity. Hines is often commended for always having a smile on his face. With that energy and positivity, Hines Ward has kicked off “Positive Athlete,” a movement to change negativity in youth sports in Western Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, Positive Athlete is designed to tell encouraging stories about the kind of role models young athletes should aspire to be and to promote the benefits of positivity to young athletes around the world. The athletes involved in this initiative believe it is crucial to begin shaping the future of young athletes for life skills beyond athletic competition.

WHEREAS, Hines believes that the most successful businessmen and women are positive individuals, and that sports can be used to help instill those characteristics at a young age. Positivity is a life skill that will help any young person deal with relationships, obstacles and opportunities, and the Positive Athlete program focuses the spotlight on the importance of a positive attitude not only in sports, but in life overall; and

WHEREAS, on Saturday, April 21, 2012, Hines will award 26 Pittsburgh-area high school athletes, representing 26 different boys and girls sports, with the “Positive High School Athletes of the Year” award at the Heinz Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum. These athletes were nominated by coaches, school administrators and parents. In addition to excellence on the field, Positive Athletes share similar characteristics including an optimistic attitude, teammate encouragement, servant leadership, heart for others, ability to admit imperfections, giving 100 percent all the time, and realizing that the team as more important than the individual.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that I, Luke Ravenstahl, Mayor of the City of Pittsburgh, thank Hines Ward for his commitment to positively influencing young sports players in our region, and commend each athlete honored with the “Positive High School Athlete of the Year” award.  I do hereby declare April 21, 2012, “Positive Athlete Day” here in our most livable City of Pittsburgh.