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1/29/2003
Contact: K.E. Schwab --
724-738-2199; e-mail: karl.schwab@sru.edu
SRU ALUMNUS AND NATIONAL
FITNESS LEADER GARRY W. BENFORDDONATES FUNDS FOR SCHOLARSHIP
AND NEW WEIGHT-TRAINING CENTER
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – When
Garry W. Benford, a nationally respected physical fitness leader,
enrolled at Slippery Rock University 30 years ago, he turned part
of his attention to barbell lifting – a passion he credits
with boosting his academics and self-esteem. His continuing passion
is now providing Rock athletics with a weight-training center, and
physical education majors with an annual $1,000 academic
scholarship.
Benford,
a member of the Powerlifting Hall of Fame, is owner of nine World
Gym Fitness and Nutrition Centers in Columbus, Ohio. He was honored
recently on campus for donating funds to support the scholarship
and the weight room in Morrow Field House, which have been named in
his honor.
He
told those assembled that SRU introduced him to powerlifting.
“That simple experience changed my life. I was never gifted
athletically or academically. Weight training changed all that. It
provided me measurable results. It made me goal oriented, developed
my organizational skills and helped improve my self-esteem. It
burned with a passion inside of me the characteristics of
persistence and determination; to never give up; to continue to
work hard; and to handle the obstacles in front of me. It turned my
passion into academic, athletic and professional business
achievement.”
“Garry
Benford serves as an outstanding example to all Slippery Rock
University students – and all Slippery Rock University
graduates,” said SRU Interim President Robert Smith.
“He came to Slippery Rock University unsure of his major;
found one that fit his life; then devoted his life to service and
leadership in that field. The university is proud of his success,
and we are grateful for his generous support. Our athletes will
certainly make great use of the fine facility, and our health and
physical education majors will welcome the scholarship. We thank
him for his continued support of his alma mater and for his
untiring efforts in promoting the university to potential
students.”
The
Garry W. Benford Weight Room is open to all Rock athletes, and the
Garry W. Benford Scholarship is open to all SRU physical education
majors. The facility includes 3,500 pounds of free weights and
related benches, along with other exercise equipment. Benford, a
Beaver County native, earned his bachelor of science in health and
physical education degree, cum laude, in 1977, followed by his
master’s in exercise science and sports medicine, summa cum
laude, in 1979. His thesis detailed work related to analysis of the
squat and deadlift powerlift and was presented before the 1979
National Collegiate Class Powerlifters. He was also active as
president of the SRU Weightlifting Club and later served as an
athletic conditioning supervisor at SRU. He was also an instructor
for “Human Performance and Strength
Development.”
Former
owner of “American Fitness Quarterly,” he is the author
of “Powerlifting: A Guide for Coaches and Athletes.” He
received his certification as a strength and conditioning
specialist from the National Strength and Conditioning Association
and was certified as a personal fitness trainer by the National
Academy of Sports Medicine. Benford has won six National Masters
Powerlifting championships (1995 to 2000), and was the National
Masters Bench Press champion in 2001 and 2002. He is also a World
Masters 198 Pound Powerlifting champion.
SRU offers a number of study
areas in physical education, including a bachelor of education in
health and physical education degree as part of its teacher
certification program. The program is one of the most prominent in
the nation in preparing health and physical educations for the
kindergarten through high school level. Course work also qualifies
graduates to work in the coaching profession. Programs in physical
education and sport management are also offered. More than 560
students currently major in these programs.
PN, PgN, WPN, PR,
S
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