Sports Extravaganza, Inc.

Mission

The mission of Sports Extravaganza, Inc. is to develop life-skills through sports for youth by demonstrating the direct correlation between athletic, academic and social excellence.

Vision

Our vision is for youth to live healthy lifestyles and to develop a strong life-skills foundation to be used in future endeavors and personal life.

Program Goal

The goal of SE, Inc is to assist youth in achieving healthy behaviors while confronting the social epidemic of childhood and adolescent obesity through exercise.

In addition, SE, Inc. promotes the development of life skills by using Olympians, Professional Athletes and World Class Coaches to reveal the bridge between athletic principles and personal success.

Organization Description

SE, Inc. encourages all youth ages 5-18 to improve their quality of life physically, academically and socially by participating in athletics. Obesity in our youth has now reached epidemic proportions and studies show that 31% are currently overweight or at risk. The consequences of this lifestyle are alarming: an increase inType 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

SE, Inc. offers a road map of training guidance and competition consultation to combat these potential diseases. The program is also devoted to encouraging goal setting and team building; both important principles for life skill development.

As a local outreach campaign, SE, Inc. partners with local school districts, corporations and community leaders to offer a free program that focuses on youth development.

SE, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization formed in 2003.

History

Eight years ago, LaTanya Sheffield, 1988 Olympic Finalist, founded "Competitive Elements" with a five year goal to expose youth to athletic training regimens that would empower personal development. The resulting program was developed in conjunction with instruction by Olympians and athletic professionals and has been successful in servicing an increasing number of Tucson youth including the disadvantaged and underserved. In 2003, the program name changed to Sports Extravaganza, Inc, and has served over 1600 youth, with the number still growing! Local community businesses, volunteers and national corporations have also recognized the value this program offers and have joined Sheffield’s efforts. SE shows that using the methods taught to becoming successful in sports can have a direct effect on a youth’s personal, academic and physical well being.

 

LaTanya Sheffield, a dance major at San Diego State University, danced her way to athletic prominence. During college, her brother Rahn introduced her to the 400 hurdles. Throughout her career he remained her only coach. Their unique relationship proved to be a perfect match as coach and athlete. Their remarkable union produced an American Record at the 1985 National Collegiate Athletic Association Championships. That stellar performance catapulted her into the limelight of international track and field. Sharing the stage with greats such as Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Florence Griffith Joyner, and Carl Lewis, Sheffield was groomed by America’s best athletes. At the 1987 Track and Field National Championships and through the process of elimination, she performed excellently. She earned a position to represent the United States of America at the 1987 World Championships. That same year she raced to a Bronze Medal in the Pan American Games and a Gold Medal at the Olympic Sports Festival. Sheffield grew increasingly recognized for her successful hurdling technique. This technique was developed by her coach and coined as "The Rotation." Her race strategy was exciting and innovative. Instead of pacing herself with the rest of the pack in the beginning of the race, she would sprint to a dominating lead. Her philosophy was "catch me if you can!" That philosophy would prove to be the antidote necessary to represent the United States in the 1988 Olympic Games. There she had another excellent performance. She was the first American to run under the Olympic Record.

As her athletic career matured, Sheffield did also. In 1989 she married and started a family. Continuing her thirst for competition, Sheffield, the mother, returned to the track. Her test of fitness and perseverance would come at the 1993 Olympic Sports Festival. In an amazing come from behind victory, Sheffield’s performance announced that she remained a hurdler to

be reckoned with. Sheffield continued to increase her family. After the birth of her second child, her thirst for competition had not subsided. Sheffield relocated to the dry heat of Tucson Arizona. Now with a family, new training ground, and a major adjustment to the weather, she had challenging barriers to overcome. Still with her coach as her guide and her husband for support, she reestablished the disciplines that she mastered as a premiere hurdler. Sheffield increased her support team to babysitters, and a training partner. She had represented her country in many major venues; her new sight, the Goodwill Games. She battled Arizona’s dry heat that ranged over 100 degrees and the winter seasons that dipped into the low 40’s. Her determination, hard work and veteran experience was enough to earn a position on the 1998 Goodwill Games Team. Finally after the 2000 Olympic Trials and an illustrious career in track and field, LaTanya Sheffield announced her retirement.

Sheffield focused her energy in giving back to her local community by developing Sports Extravaganza Sports Clinic. It is an annual event that targets youth. It is her opportunity to expose youth to an elite level of training and preparation by Olympians and coaches. Principles such as goal setting and work ethics are addressed to encourage success in their academic, athletic and personal life.

She supports USA Track and Field by serving on the Athletic Advisory Committee, National Athletic Review Board and Women’s Development Committee. She represents the voice for our country’s elite hurdlers.