FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

McKinney, TX (July 30, 2013)  The Taylor Hooton Foundation (THF), widely acknowledged leader in the advocacy against performance enhancing substance abuse by the youth of North America, is pleased to announce the appointment of Bob Copeland to its distinguished Board of Advisors. Copeland is the Director of Athletics at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada and has served in leadership capacities with Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) where he is currently the Vice-President, Marketing and Communications and a member of the CIS Board of Directors.

In 2010, Copeland and the University of Waterloo gained international prominence for their actions in the wake of a steroid issue with the school’s varsity football team; Copeland ordered the entire team to undergo doping tests and the university subsequently suspended the team for an entire season. In recognition of this and other efforts Copeland has led in the fight against doping, he received Taylor’s Award in 2011. In 2011, Copeland was appointed to Canada’s National Task Force of the Use of Performance Enhancing Drugs in the Sport of Football and was Chair of the Ontario University Athletics Performance Enhancing Drugs Education Task Force.

“We are very pleased to have Bob Copeland partner with us in the fight against appearance and performance enhancing drug use by our youth.  In the test of battle, Bob has proven himself to have the kind of metal it takes to lead this fight.  We are glad to have him on our team.”

“The Taylor Hooton Foundation provided great leadership and support to the University of Waterloo and our football program through some very difficult times,” said Copeland. “Through this experience, I’ve learned first-hand that the issue of doping in sport is a significant problem, and not just at the professional or even collegiate level. I am committed to helping the THF spread their important message, especially to young athletes and their coaches and parents,” added Copeland.

Copeland’s experience demonstrates that illegal use of steroids and contaminated supplements is an issue that crosses many borders. “Bob’s story is compelling and sets a fine example for others to follow”, added Don Hooton. “We look forward to his leadership in advancing the THF.”

The Taylor Hooton Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit organization that is dedicated to educating North America’s young people about the dangers of anabolic steroids and other appearance and performance enhancing drugs.   The Foundation was formed in 2004 by the friends and family of Taylor Hooton after his untimely death.

For more information about the Taylor Hooton Foundation and its efforts, please visit www.taylorhooton.org.

Contact:

Kyle Purdy, VP Corporate Development

kyle.purdy@taylorhooton.org