MANCHESTER, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) ­— A trio of former Eastern Michigan University track and field alumni are teaming up with members of the USA Track and Field Foundation to sponsor a track and field day for the children of migrant farm workers from the Du Russel Potato Farm here at the Manchester High School track Thursday, July 29.

EMU alumni track members Gary Bastien and Mark Gardner have joined fellow EMU trackman Dan McClory, a USA Track & Field Foundation Director, along with best-selling author Nicholas Sparks who is also a Foundation Director, and 1964 Olympic gold medalist Billy Mills and coaches of You're On Athletic, a USATF club team in Saline, Mich., to organize the one-day event announced Foundation Chairman Bob Greifeld and Executive Director Tom Jackovic today.

In addition to the kids training and competing in a track and field meet, the program will include a school lesson plan on the Olympics and the life-story of Mills, the 10,000 meter gold medalist at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.

Bastien originally contacted McClory, who then brought on board fellow Board member Sparks, to assist with the program. Sparks has had a close, long-term relationship with Mills, having co-authored a book together entitled, Lessons of a Lakota. Bastien and McClory were college teammates at Eastern Michigan University.

“The USATF Foundation is a great organization because it keeps people who have a passion for track & field networked so we can introduce the sport to kids and do good things like making this migrant field day happen,” said Bastien. “I'm sure the involvement of Sparks and Mills would have never happened had the Foundation not linked all four of us together in some way,” he added.

Sparks and Mills donated 40 signed copies of the book they co-authored to be used as a study guide. It draws from Mills' ancestry and experiences as a Lakota Native American, teaching readers ways to be happy and other positive life-lessons. Mills also donated a copy of his biographical movie, “Running Brave,” starring Robby Benson, to be viewed and discussed in the classroom.

The kids range from grades 1-6 and will compete in the standing long jump, the shot put and the 50, 200 & 400 meter dash. Prior to the meet, Bastien (1983 U.S No. 3 decathlete and NCAA DI coach) will teach a weekly gym class showing kids proper running form and field event technique, focusing on attaining their personal best in each event.

From the involvement of Mills and Sparks, the kids will garner lessons on goal setting, dreaming big, doing your personal best, and understanding that anybody can do, or become anything, if they put their mind to it.

They will learn what it means to be an Olympian and best-selling author. Seeing that important people like Sparks and Mills have a vested interest in them, will validate that they are important and valued. Their notoriety makes the message that more meaningful.

In addition to his Foundation work and writing, Sparks donates his time and money to several community based track & field programs which have included the installation of several all-weather tracks in low income communities.

Mills has made a profound commitment to help advance the conditions and the quality of the lives of Native Americans still living on Indian reservations. Through his Foundation, Running Strong for Native American Youth, Mills helps native American Indians meet their immediate survival needs and supports programs designed to create opportunities for self-sufficiency and self esteem.

If you are interested in being a volunteer official, contact Gary Bastien, You're On Athletic Development at 734.904.9857.

The USATF Foundation provides a means to attract and guide funds to new and innovative track and field programs with an emphasis on providing opportunities for youth athletes, emerging elite athletes, distance training centers and anti-doping education. The Foundation depends upon donations from its Board of Directors and from generous fans of track & field.

For more information or to contribute to the USA Track & Field Foundation, visit www.usatffoundation.org.