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Click On Either Name or Picture To Read Complete Bio
| ALLISON BAVER
Olympic Speedskater
Two-time Olympian, Allison Baver took an interest in short track speedskating after being introduced to the sport by a coach and friend, Shawn Walb. After competing on the inline skating circuit for many years, Allison felt that she had accomplished all of her goals within the sport. After suffering a severe blade injury one of her first times on the ice, Allison Baver decided to put ice-skating on hold. Walb took her to watch the 1998 Olympic Trials in an effort to change her mind about ice skating and her parents bought her blades that Christmas. Her parents and coach felt that she could do well at short track although she had only been on ice skates a few times in her life.
Allison Baver started ice speed skating about once a week while going to Penn State full time and working full time. From 1998-1999 she practiced eight times and competed eight times, each time noticing an improvement in her skating. She moved to the U.S. Olympic Education Center in Marquette, Mich., in September of 2000...not realizing that summer training was over in September, Allison Baverfinished an internship for school and arrived into the program late. At first, she did not have the proper equipment (the skating boots she was using were inline boots and not designed to fit a speedskating blade). The next season she continued training at the USOEC, purchased new equipment and qualified for the 2002 U.S. Olympic Team. She has been a member of the National Team since the 2002 Olympic season, competing in her first Olympic Games in Salt Lake City 2002. Currently, Allison Baver resides at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Co. where she trains with the US National Team after returning from the 2006 Olympic Games in Italy. She will also continue pursuing a Master's Degree in Business. Allison has been skating hard this post-Olympic season and will continue competing at an elite level for the foreseeable future.
On Alison Baver's journey to the Olympic Games: "There is nothing bigger than being at the Olympic Games. All the emotions in the world cannot explain it. I've traveled an awesome journey to accomplish this and loved every minute of sacrifice and hard work. It's a great feeling to know it all paid off."
Allison Baver's popularity and profile as an American Olympian have continued to grow substantially since returning from Turin. Expect to see Allison Baver for many years to come! |
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 | BILLY MILLS
In 1964, on a warm summer night in Tokyo, Japan, American Billy Mills shone brighter than any star in the Oriental sky.
Unheralded, unappreciated, virtually unto the world, Billy Mills scored one of the greatest upsets in Olympic history; winning a gold medal in the 10,000 meter run with a stunning come-from-behind finish that left the world's best runners in his wake, and the rest of the world in disbelief.
In the 92 years of the Games, Billy Mills is the only American ever to win this event.
Billy Mills, a Lakota (Sioux) Indian born on the reservation in Pine Ridge, South Dakota, learned early that life doesn't always come easy. It was exactly this harsh realization that brought him to the pinnacle of the athletic world.
Billy Mills fought prejudice, jealousy, and scorn to become one of America's best distance runners of his day Through high school, the University of Kansas, and the Marine Corps, he was often the target of envy and contempt. His ancestry was ridiculed, his integrity questioned, and his talents ignored. But while his detractors made every attempt to strip Billy Mills of his dignity, they could never extinguish the fiery determination in his soul.
Then, one night in Tokyo, Olympic Gold around his neck, Billy Mills had suddenly become a national treasure.
In 1984, Billy Mills' story was brought to the big screen in the motion picture "Running Brave". The climax of the film was Billy's Olympic triumph. What the film does not show, however, are Billy's personal victories since his day in the Olympic spotlight.
Today, Billy Mills walks in two worlds with one spirit- the Indian world and the White world- asa successful businessman and athlete. Mills is an entrepreneur, family man, and community leader. He is an active fund-raiser with his charity, Running Strong for American Indian Youth. Billy Mills is a dynamic and engaging speaker, one of the most inspirational in America. |
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 | BONNIE BLAIR
World Champion Speedskater
A native of Champaign, Ill. and a resident of Milwaukee, the 30-year-old Bonnie Blair has a score of personal and athletic achievements to her credit, including:
The most decorated woman in U.S. Olympic history and the winningest American in Winter Olympics history. Gold medals include the 500 and 1,000 meters, Lillehammer, 1994; 500 and 1,000 meters, Albertville, France, 1992; and 500 meters, Calgary, Canada, 1988. Bonnie Blair also won a bronze medal in the 1,000 meters at Calgary in 1988.
Bonnie Blair is also recognized for the following:
* Only U.S. Winter Olympian to win a gold medal in the same event in three Consecutive Olympics.
* World record holder 500-meter speed skating: 38.69 seconds set February 1995, in Calgary, Canada
* Associated Press 1994 Female Athlete of the Year.
* SPORTS ILLUSTRATED's 1994 Sportsperson of the Year.
* World record-holder for overall points (156.505).
* World record-holder in the 500 meters (38.99 seconds), Calgary, March 1994.
* U.S. National Sprint Champion, 1985-94.
* United States Olympic Committee's Sportswoman of the Year, 1992 and 1994.
* USOC's Woman Speedskater of the Year, 1985-94.
* GLAMOUR magazine's Women of the Year Award, 1994.
* James E. Sullivan Award (nation's top amateur athlete), 1992.
Underneath Bonnie Blair's streamlined uniform beats the heart of a true competitor in an unheralded sport -- speed skating. After demolishing world-class competition during a brilliant career, she raced only time itself. In March 1994, Blair finally broke the 39-second barrier for 500 meters, then shattered it again with a 38.69-second world record that will likely stand for decades.
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 | CARY MULLEN
Olympian & World Cup Champion
Cary Mullen's inspiring story of overcoming adversity has been referred to as "Rudy on skis". Cary currently holds the World Downhill Speed Record for skiing an amazing 97 miles per hour (151 km/h) down the world's most famous ski course in Kitzbuhel, Austria. Cary was a non-prodigy - an underdog - who placed last in his first World Cup race. He followed a Process for Success to go from "worst to first" and to ultimately become a two-time Olympian and World Cup Champion.
Cary followed the same process to persevere through 3 near fatal crashes that left him with double vision and memory loss, to finally regain 100% health. Now Cary passionately shares his "champion insights" around the world, taking his audiences on an incredible run that leaves them energized and provides them with a Process for Success!
Cary's quest to "Be the Best in the World" led him to research the key drivers and determinants of Human Success. As the leader of a strong research team at High Performance Technologies, Cary has spent more than 20 years studying the success strategies of high performers. He conducts presentations for groups of all sizes who want to grow their business and maximize their potential, both personally and professionally. More than 300 small and large business groups have turned to Cary on how to think, take action, and focus their attention in a way that leads to better results.
Beyond his athletic accomplishments, Cary has a successful business background as a former Sales and General Manager for Dale Carnegie Training and is currently the President of a real estate investment company. As a community leader, Cary has founded two Charitable Foundations and is on the Board of Directors for the national Olympic Development Association and the National High Performance Advisory Committee.
Cary passionately shares inspiring stories and success strategies from the high performance world of sport to help individuals and organizations Get the Best out of Themselves, Their Team, and Their Resources. |
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 | CATHY TURNER
World Champion Speedskater
Cathy Turner is a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist in short track speedskating (1992 and 1994), and a Silver and Bronze Medalist as anchor of the 3000m Relay Team. She is one of only two people ever to win Gold Medals in consecutive Winter Olympic Games. With a total of four medals, she ranks third for the most medals ever won by a Winter Olympian.
Multi-talented and outgoing, Cathy has combined her Olympic success and her amazing story to become one of the most marketable athletes in the industry today.
Nine years after retiring from her sport to pursue a professional singing career, Cathy returned to speedskating and competed in the 1992 Olympic Games. Her childhood dream of winning an Olympic gold medal was now within her grasp. Critics scoffed at the notion that a 26 year old woman could overcome such a tremendous setback, especially being away from the sport so long. Cathy proved them wrong by making her dream a reality, winning both gold and silver medals in the 1992 Winter Games in Albertville, France. Draped in the American flag, Cathy took her much-deserved "Victory Lap" with the whole world watching.
She retired immediately after the 1992 Games, only to make a stunning comeback just seven months prior to the 1994 Winter Games in Lillehammer, Norway. Once again, her amazing determination and strong will prevailed as she added two more medals to her collection - a gold and bronze. Once again, Cathy challenged herself and came out of retirement in 1998 to compete in her third Olympics in Nagano, Japan.
Cathy recently wrote a chapter in a book entitled, Awaken the Olympian Within. Her chapter is entitled "See it, believe it, be it." To Cathy, "See it, believe it, be it" were essential steps in becoming her own vision and fulfilling her lifelong dream.
Cathy now travels as a corporate motivational speaker, sharing her experiences and tailoring them to the corporate world. The enthusiasm at her appearances has been nothing less than overwhelmingly positive and exciting. Everyone loves to meet a Gold Medalist, hold one of the Gold Medals in their hand, get their picture taken, and even receive a personalized autographed photo with the company logo on it! Several of her appearances have ended with a standing ovation. Cathy loves people and people love her, and this whole experience always reflects positively on a company. |
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 | DAN JANSEN
Champion Speedskater
Dan Jansen grew up in West Allis, Wisconsin and attended the University of Wisconsin. Although he dominated the sport of speedskating for years, Jansen had never won an Olympic gold medal after competing in three Olympiads. In the 1994 Olympics, Dan Jansen reached his last event and still had not won a gold medal. In his last competition, Jansen set a world record and won an Olympic gold medal in the 1000 meter event.
Athletic Achievements:
1994
* Olympic Gold Medalist, 1000 M
* Awarded the Amateur Athletic Union's James E. Sullivan Award, presented annually to the outstanding athlete in the United States who exhibits the qualities of leadership, character, sportsmanship, and the ideals of amateurism.
* World Record Holder in the 1000 M (1:12.43)
* World Record Holder in the 500 M (35.76 seconds)
* First first man to ever break the 36 second mark in the 500 M
* Recipient of Jim Thorpe Pro Sports Award
1993
* Ranked 1st overall in World Cup standings
1992
* Ranked 1st overall in World Cup standings
1991
* Ranked 1st overall in World Cup standings
Other Achievements:
* Winner of 20 World Championship Medals
* Winner of more than 30 World Cup races and more than 50 World Cup Medals
* Established the Dan Jansen Foundation which contributes to youth sports and education programs and the research of leukemia (an illness which claimed the life of Dan's sister Jane)
* Currently working for CBS Sports as on-air personality |
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 | JACKIE JOYNER-KERSEE
Olympic Gold Medalist
Jacqueline "Jackie" Joyner-Kersee was born March 3,1962 in East St. Louis, Illinois, to a family that sometimes lacked material possessions "but always had love." She was also blessed with a talent, a supportive family and a quiet yet unshakable belief in herself. That foundation lead Joyner-Kersee to become a high school basketball and track star, and eventually lead to a scholarship in basketball to the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). There she earned a B.A. in history, while also distinguishing herself in the sport of track and field, dominating the long jump and heptathlon.
After graduating from UCLA in 1985, Jackie Joyner Kersee went on to build one of the most illustrious athletic careers in the world, earning the titles, "World's Greatest Female Athlete" and "Queen of Track and Field". The combination of love, support, and talent has netted 6 Olympic medals; 3 gold, 1 silver 2 bronze, the world and Olympic record in the heptathlon, the American record in the long jump, 50 & 60 meter hurdles, and the respect and admiration of peers and fans alike.
Never one to be classified as merely an athlete, Jackie Joyner-Kersee says, "I strive to be a Jackie of all trades. I am an individual who has accomplished a great deal through athletics." Accomplish is an understatement. Joyner-Kersee has received many prestigious awards, including the St. Louis Ambassadors Sportswoman of the Year, Sporting News Athlete of the Year Award (the first woman to receive either of these awards), the Sullivan Award, and consecutively winning the Jesse Owens Memorial Award. But Jackie Joyner-Kersee is proudest of her achievements off the track.
As a way of giving back to the community that has supported her, Jackie Joyner-Kersee created the JJK Community Foundation which supports the development of leadership programs in urban areas across the United States. The organization is now know as the JJK Youth Center Foundation, and Joyner-Kersee is spearheading the foundation's efforts to build a community center in her hometown of East St. Louis. "When I leave this earth, I want to know I've created something that will help others," says Jackie.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee brings the same passion, energy and fervent optimism to everything she does. In addition to her foundation work, she is a dynamic motivational speaker, sought after by educational, cultural, civic, and corporate groups who want to hear her positive and inspirational messages.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee carries her holistic outlook and gracious demeanor to the track, the community, and the boardroom. That coalition of traits won her an appointment to the St. Louis Sports Commission. She is the first female, the first African-American, the first Illinois native, and first active athlete to serve as chairperson. This position will allow Jackie Joyner-Kersee to apply her years of international sports experience to the task of adding new chapters to the St. Louis region's rich sports history.
Ask Jackie Joyner-Kersee what her limits are, and she'll say she has none. As she often tell audiences during her motivational speeches, "The only person who can stop you from reaching your goals is you!" |
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 | JIM CRAIG
Olympic Gold Medalist
Goalie, 1980 USA “Miracle on Ice” Team
Jim Craig has been called the backbone of a team that accomplished one of the most extraordinary and memorable sports victories of all time. He went on to play professionally and transitioned to become a successful businessman and motivational speaker.
Jim Craig is in demand from coast to coast and internationally as a motivational speaker, spokesperson, marketing and sales strategist, and master storyteller. He is president of Gold Medal Strategies, a Boston-area based promotions and marketing firm that also manages and represents Jim and his appearance business. Over the past 25 years, Jim Craig has inspired, instructed, and provided strategic and winning direction for employees and associates from more than 300 organizations, including but not limited to Allianz, Bayer Corporation, Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Coca-Cola, Dunkin' Donuts, Evergreen Financial, GE Access, Gore Medical, John Hancock, Next Financial, Time Inc., Walt Disney, and other companies that hold some of the world's most recognized brands.
An All-American goalie at Boston University and standout for the Terriers' 1978 NCAA championship squad, Jim Craig was selected as the starting goaltender for the U.S. 1980 Olympic hockey team. At the Lake Placid games his performance was indispensable to Team USA's epic upset of the Soviet Union. Many people forget that in their 4-3 win over the Soviets, the Americans were outshot 42-16, but Jim Craig made 39 saves, many of the spectacular variety, and his teammates scored four times. Two days later against Finland, Jim continued his superb play helping Team USA to a 4-2 win and the Olympic Gold Medal.
How incredible was the victory over the Soviets? Consider that as the 20th century came to a close, most major media sports polls selected what happened two decades prior in Lake Placid, as the greatest sports achievement of the previous 100 years.
“It may just be the single most indelible moment in all of U.S. sports history,” said Sports Illustrated of Team USA's win over the Soviet Union. “One that sent an entire nation into frenzy.”
Following the Olympic Games, Jim Craig played in the NHL where he started for the Atlanta Flames, Minnesota North Stars, and Boston Bruins. After just a few seasons, an injury ended his professional hockey career. Jim is enshrined in the Boston University Athletic Hall of Fame, the International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame, the United State Hockey Hall of Fame, and the United States Olympic Hall of Fame.
When Jim Craig retired from pro hockey, he pursued a marketing and sales career with the same passion, focus, work ethic, and dedication that he put forth on the ice. He signed on as marketing and sales consultant for Valassis Inserts (later Valassis Communications), owned by Australian media magnate Kerry Packer's Consolidated Press Holdings and the largest freestanding newspaper insert company in the U.S. While with Valassis, Jim took an operating unit that had $300,000 in annual sales and over a 10 year period built it to unit that did $50 million in annual sales, the top sales-producing division of the corporation. During these years, Jim Craig received the award for “Salesman of the Year” from the Marketing Corporation of America and Valassis Communications.
Jim Craig left Valassis in 2005 to become the top salesman of Hat Trick Group, a company that creates and produces promotions, incentive marketing, and custom premium programs and products. Under his stewardship and guidance, Hat Trick Group increased sales, added clients, and introduced new products and services.
In 2007, Jim Craig directed his competitive nature and devotion to innovation and teamwork to launch his latest venture, Gold Medal Strategies, a promotions, marketing and speakers' management firm located in Norton, Massachusetts. Although the firm is still in its infancy, Jim is using the same formula for success used in his other endeavors to develop Gold Medal Strategies and a list of satisfied clients.
Jim Craig has volunteered for several years as a youth hockey coach and is active with many philanthropic organizations and causes. He and his wife, Sharlene (Charlie), have been married for 20 years. They have a teenage son and daughter, both of whom are talented hockey players, neither of whom play goalie. |
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 | JOHN NABER
Olympic Gold Medalist
At the Olympics in Montreal, John Naber captured four gold medals, becoming America's most decorated athlete at those games. During Naber's climb to the top of the sports world and his subsequent role as commentator and host on ABC's Wide World of Sports and ESPN, John has become a observer of excellence and effective motivational speaker. Naber has conceptualized an effective method by which we all can see our dreams come true. His wide variety of Olympic stories involving discipline, dedication, sacrifice and teamwork, can make anyone feel like "going for the gold." Mr. Naber uses his experience, covering over thirty different sports and with the Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan, six Olympic Games, to draw analogies between the graphic world of sports and the less easily seen battleground of business. John Naber's practical insights have resulted in countless letters testifying to the value of his humorous and content-filled presentations, which are always custom tailored for each audience.
His topics include:
The Gold Medal Process: Seeing Your Dreams Come True
Discipline: Keeping the Promises You Make to Yourself
Teamwork in a Competitive World |
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 | KERRI STRUG
1996 Olympic Champion
Kerri Strug vaulted into Olympic history with her courageous performance during the 1996 Olympic Games. Kerri landed an unforgettable vault on an injured ankle to help the U.S. clinch its first Olympic gold medal in the team gymnastics competition.
Kerri Strug's emotional performance has earned Kerri a variety of awards and accolades, from the Olympic Spirit Award to a spot on the Wheaties Box.
Kerri Strug's rise in the gymnastics world began long before her 1996 heroics. She began competitive gymnastics at age 8, where she followed in the footsteps of her older sister and brother. Kerri became the youngest American on the Olympic squad in 1992, where she earned a bronze medal in the Barcelona Olympics. Kerri Strug was a three-time World Championship medalist and member of five World Championship teams since 1991. She also won the 1996 McDonald's American Cup and 1995 U.S. Olympic Sports Festival.
Kerri Strug's gut-wrenching performance in Atlanta earned her fame well beyond the gymnastics world. She was featured on the cover of both Time and People magazines. She appeared on television shows including Beverly Hills 90210, Saturday Night Live, and Touched by an Angel, as well as interviews on The Today Show, Dateline, and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
Only three months after the 1996 Olympics, Kerri Strug started college. She earned her BA in Communications and an MA in Sociology from Stanford University. Following graduation, Kerri worked as a second grade teacher in San Jose, California.
Despite her busy schedule, Kerri Strug volunteers her time and energy to a variety of charitable causes. Kerri has served as a spokesperson for the Special Olympics and the Children's Miracle Network. She has also participated in projects with DARE, Pediatric AIDS, Make-a-Wish Foundation, and Childhelp. The Women's Sports Foundation presented Kerri with the Reebok/Lady FootLocker Giving Back Award in recognition of her community efforts. Although no longer in competitive gymnastics, she maintains involvement in the gymnastic community through work with parents, kids, and coaches throughout the country at various gymnastic camps and clubs.
An author of two books, Kerri Strug reaches out to others who can be inspired by her determination both inside and outside the gym. Heart of Gold targets younger readers who can learn of Kerri's ups and downs as a young gymnast. Her autobiography, Landing on my Feet: A Diary of Dreams, focuses on the hard work and commitment that led to her heroic Olympic performance.
Kerri Strug now resides in Washington D.C. where her patriotic spirit has led her to work for the government. She has held several positions in the federal government including; a position in the Office of Presidential Student Correspondence at the White House, the Treasury Department in the Office of General Counsel and is currently a political appointee at the United States Department of Justice in the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention where she hopes to help and inspire our nation's youth.
Career Highlights
-* TV Guide's Top 25 Awesome Sports Moments - July 17, 2005
-* ESPN ESPY Award Recipient for "Best Under Pressure" (1997)
-* Winner of the Reebok/Lady Foot Locker "Giving Back Award" (1997)
-* 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist
-* Winner of 1996 Olympic Spirit Award
-* Picture on Wheaties Box in 1996
-* Winner of the 1996 McDonald's American Cup
-* Winner of the 1995 U.S. Olympic Festival
-* 1992 Olympic Bronze Medalist
-* Member of five World Championship teams
-* Three time World Championship Medalist
Special Appearances
-* Cover of People Magazine
-* Cover of Time Magazine
-* Saturday Night Live
-* The Today Show
-* Good Morning America
-* Live with Regis and Kathy Lee
-* The Tonight Show
-* Dateline NBC
-* Barbara Walters Special
-* Beverly Hills, 90210
-* King of the Hill
-* Touched By an Angel |
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