Grand Rapid, Mich. (November 14, 2005) –

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Dr. Richard Lapchick, a nationally-recognized expert on sports issues, will speak at Aquinas College on "Bridging the Racial Divide." His speech will be presented on Monday, November 28, 2005 in the Performing Arts Center from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. (1705 Robinson Road SE). The speech is open to the public, free of charge. Seating is limited and is available on a first come, first served basis.

Lapchick, a scholar and author, was named "one of the 100 most powerful people in sport" for six consecutive years. He is a prolific writer and recently completed his eleventh book, New Game Plan for College Sport, which is set for release this fall. He has written more than 450 articles and given more than 2,600 public speeches.

Often described as the "racial conscience of sport," Lapchick took a commitment to equality and a belief that sport can be an effective instrument of positive social change to the University of Central Florida. He heads the DeVos Sport Business Management Program, a landmark program that focuses on the business skills necessary for graduates to conduct a successful career in the rapidly changing and dynamic sports industry. Today's sports managers, he says, are business managers.

During his visit to Aquinas, Lapchick will take time to review the College's ten-year old sports management program and offer any suggestions for enhancing the program. Students in the Business Administration/ Sport Management major at Aquinas College have completed internships and/or secured full-time positions either locally in Grand Rapids with the West Michigan Whitecaps, the Grand Rapids Griffins, the Grand Rapids Rampage, MVP Sportsplex, various high school athletic departments, and numerous private businesses, or nationally with the Orlando Magic, the Phoenix Coyotes, Palace Sports & Entertainment (Detroit Pistons), the Chicago Fire and The Buick Open.

Under Lapchick's leadership, the DeVos program launched the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport in December 2002. The Institute focuses on two broad areas. On Diversity, the Institute publishes the critically-acclaimed Racial and Gender Report Card, which is a study of the racial and gender hiring practices of major professional, Olympic and college sport in the United States. In the area of ethics, the Institute monitors some of the critical issues in college and professional sport, including the potential for the exploitation of student-athletes, gambling, performance-enhancing drugs and violence in sports.

For more information on the Business Administration/Sports Management program at Aquinas College, contact Phil Hatlem, chair of the department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation at (616) 632-2898.