Livingston, NJ - A powerful new effort was launched today to bring together leaders in education and athletics in the fight to prevent bullying in New Jersey. The initiative brings together the Sports Authority, Project NextGen, LEGAL ONE and the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) to provide free workshops on the issue of bullying prevention. Randy Nathan (aka Coach Randy) President/CEO of Project NextGen in Livingston, NJ is facilitating these free "Bullying in Athletics" workshops in four northern New Jersey Sports Authority locations.  Coach Randy is the area anti-bullying expert for Fox 5's Good Day NY and works with schools, coaches, students and teams throughout the state implementing and understanding the impact of bullying in sports.

Joe Locascio, the Community Marketing Manager for NY/NJ, said "I was immediately open to the idea of utilizing our stores as a backdrop for these type of presentations. We have relationships with numerous youth run organizations and local schools. I know they will appreciate and take advantage of this information" The dates and locations for these free workshops are the following:

                                    Tuesday, July 24 (8:00pm) - Clifton, NJ (map) 

                                    Thursday, July 26 (8:00pm) - East Hanover, NJ (map) 

                                    Tuesday, July 31 (8:00pm) - Paramus, NJ (map) 

                                    Thursday, August 2 (8:00pm) - Union, NJ (map) 

Other statewide associations have also offered their support in this important community dialogue. The Foundation for Educational Administration (FEA), Educational Information and Resource Center (EIRC), and the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association (NJPSA). Jay Dugan, Director of Professional/Curriculum Development for EIRC said, "I recall very little bullying that affected me in my childhood, but when it did, it hit hard. It happened during sports; organized sports, no less, a Pop Warner football team. I still harbor bitterness and anger, more than 45 years later. This anti-bullying presentation is long, long overdue." FEA is also offering additional paid workshops throughout the year: August 9 (9:30am-3pm)-Bullying in Athletics; December 5 (9:30am-3pm)-Student Athletes, Health and the Law; and January 23-Student Athletes, Safety and the Law.

Bullying seems to make the news nearly every week and this is a unique opportunity to focus on a particular niche within the realm of bullying. For more information on these free workshops, or to speak with Coach Randy directly please email info@projectnextgen.com or call (973) 809-3223. In addition to receiving valuable information and insight into bullying, participants (coaches, ADs, parents, players) will also receive a discount coupon from The Sports Authority as an added incentive.