Coyotes Take the Lead with Palm Springs Middle Schools Annual Track Meet

(PALM SPRINGS) – The SoCal Coyotes and corporate partner Chevrolet Cadillac LaQuinta will help hundreds of budding desert track stars put their best foot forward when the UFAL Champions host and staff the annual Palm Springs Unified School District Middle School Track Meet on Friday, March 14 at Desert Hot Springs High School.More than 500 students – grades sixth through eight – from at least five Coachella Valley schools will compete for track & field bragging rights in the annual desert-wide event.

The non-profit sports leadership organization and Chevrolet Cadillac LaQuinta has rallied around the “What Will be Your Legacy?” event that could identify the desert’s next generation of up-and-coming stars.

From eight a.m. to one p.m., Coyote players, staff and coaches will assist the 11-14 year-old athletes from the moment they step off the bus to the staging of each event, ranging from high jumps and hurdles to shot puts, relays and dashes.

And with the help of Chevrolet Cadillac La Quinta and other corporate partners, the SoCal Coyotes are ensuring that every school takes home a sizable donation from the non-profit organization.

“In order to succeed in life, the desire for success must be greater than the fear of failure,” said Anthony Caridi, general manager of Chevrolet Cadillac La Quinta. “Events like this offer our youth lessons that last a lifetime. They are discovering that it’s hard to beat somebody who never gives up. We are so proud to play a role in delivering that message to the children of Coachella Valley.”

Chevrolet Cadillac La Quinta, The Desert Princess Golf & Country Club and Desert Regional Medical Center answered the call when the Coyotes reached out for support of the local middle schools — which ultimately play a critical role in reducing the Coachella Valley’s high school drop-out rate.

CBS recently reported that taxpayers spend more than $8 billion on high-school dropouts, a fact not lost on the hometown Coyotes.

“Engaging students athletically and academically at this level is paramount to keeping them on the path to a high-school graduation,” said J David Miller, team president and head coach.

“Our football players leap at every opportunity to motivate and encourage our local youth to work hard, stay focused, and stay in school. The Coyotes are thrilled to be first responders in support of our middle schools.”

Jody Diaz, the event organizer and dean of students at Desert Springs Middle School thanked the Coyotes and Chevrolet Cadillac La Quinta “for the effort and resources coming our direction because of their diligence.”

Distributed at the event will be leadership packets that include a ‘What Kind of Leader Are YOU?’ questionnaire, with a four-box matrix that asks questions about home, school, work and play.

Sample questions – ‘Do you study before you turn on the TV? Do you pick things up without being told? Do you think of others before you think of yourself?’ — will allow students to ‘grade’ themselves as a leader.

“It’s a true testament to the SoCal Coyotes and their message of helping the community,” added Omar Tinoco, assistant principal at James Workman Middle School. “We are overwhelmed by the support the Coyotes provide.”

Each participant will receive an event t-shirt, water bottle, and a professional photo.

For more information, call Sam Maggio, Coyotes director of public relations, at 760.250.2514, or via email at [email protected]