April 16, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Nancy Clark
Program Coordinator,
ASI Recreational Sports
(805) 756-1366

Student to Receive National Award for Work for ASI Recreational Sports

SAN LUIS OBISPO -- Eddie Bianchi, a Cal Poly forestry and natural resources senior, has been awarded the 2003-04 William N. Wasson Student Leadership and Academic Award from the National Intramural Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA).

Bianchi has worked for Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) Recreational
Sports for two years as recreation technician for Chumash Challenge, the
outdoor adventure learning program at Cal Poly. Bianchi is responsible
for marketing, safety and maintenance.

Bianchi, and graduate of Los Molinos High School in Los Molinos, Calif., has successfully maintained a 3.4 GPA at Cal Poly. The William N. Wasson Student Leadership and Academic Award recipients are chosen from more than 100 applicants nationally.

He was chosen to receive this honor by virtue of five criteria including
significant contributions to ASI Recreational Sports through his
involvement in departmental activities, campus organizations, student
government, diversity programming, and committee work and/or leadership
positions. Award winners also demonstrated significant contributions to
the community through volunteer activities and maintained a 2.75 GPA or
better.

Bianchi has demonstrated these qualities by volunteering for beach clean
up and completing yard work for the elderly with his bible study group.
He is also a member of Xi Sigma Pi, the forestry/natural resource honor
society.

"It's good to know I'm heading in the right direction," Bianchi says.
"Receiving national recognition keeps me motivated."

Bianchi will be recognized on April 19 with a plaque at the annual NIRSA
conference in Albuquerque, said Recreational Sports program coordinator
Nancy Clark.

"What the award really does for students who are going into the
recreational sports profession is open huge doors for employment
opportunity," Recreational Sports Assistant Director Joe Long said. "One
year we had three winners, and two were looking for recreational sports
jobs. At the conference, the two students were offered at least three
or four graduate assistantships."

For more information about ASI Recreational Sports visit
www.asi.calpoly.edu/recsports, and for information regarding the award
or NIRSA visit www.nirsa.org.

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