Sticks-2-Schools Ends Season Having Served 38,150 Youth in 64 Bay Area Schools since 2005; Denise Watkins and Patrick Kernan Join Board

June 19, 2008 ---- San Jose, CA ---- Sticks-2-Schools, a nonprofit organization that helps fight childhood obesity, has wrapped up its third successful season, bringing the total number of youth served to 38,150 in 64 elementary, middle and high schools throughout the Greater Bay Area since 2005.

Co-founded by Teamwrkx CEO Eric Venzon and San Jose Stealth President and General Manager Johnny Mouradian, Sticks-2-Schools’ mission is to motivate youth to increase their level of physical activity. In three years the program has raised a total of $95,000 in sponsorships, contributions and donations from local businesses and community members.
This season, Sticks-2-Schools added 4,400 youth and 24 schools to the program. The nonprofit raised $45,000 in donations from two major sources. Mr. Venzon relied on his construction industry contacts, including Triplett Financial Services, WBE Electric and L.J. Interiors, to sponsor individual schools. In addition, Teamwrkx Senior Project Manager Chris Hill organized a wine-tasting fundraiser.

Mr. Mouradian introduced Sticks-2-Schools to the Stealth’s new ownership group – Denise and Bill Watkins and Steven Luczo, who provided the program with operational funds. Mrs. Watkins has joined the Sticks-2-Schools Board of Directors. She is also a member of the Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center Board and president of the Pleasanton Unified School District Advisory Board. Mr. Watkins is the CEO of Seagate Technology (NASDAQ:STX) in Scotts Valley and Mr. Luczo is chairman of the board of the same company.

Also joining the Sticks-2-Schools board this year is Patrick J. Kernan, a transactional attorney whose practice focuses on corporate, intellectual property, sports/entertainment and commercial finance law, among other specialties. Mr. Kernan is a trustee of the Pleasanton Unified School District Board.

"What better way to help kids get fit than to introduce them to a sport that’s easy to learn and fun to play,” said Venzon. “We are grateful to our generous business community for funding the schools, to the Stealth players who go out to the schools to introduce lacrosse to the students and teachers, and to the new owners of the San Jose Stealth for supporting this worthwhile program.”

Both the American Medical Association and the President’s Council on Physical Fitness have found that increased physical activity improves the overall health of children and often leads to weight loss. As a direct result of the Sticks-2-Schools program, at least 50 youth have increased their level of physical activity by joining local lacrosse clubs. In addition, hundreds of youth have attended Stealth lacrosse games and are more aware of the benefits of physical activity.

More information about the Sticks-2-Schools is available by calling Program Coordinator Breanna Kernan at 925-460-8290 bkernan@sjstealth.com

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