PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Amy Miller, Priority Health
amy.miller@priorityhealth.com
616-464-8571
Priority Health Sponsors Michigan’s Only Professional Cycling Team
Grand Rapids, Mich. (February 1, 2007) — Priority Health, a Michigan-based health plan, is the title sponsor of Michigan’s only professional cycling team for a second year. The sponsorship will assist Priority Health in promoting healthy living and wellness throughout Michigan.
"The Priority Health Cycling Team sponsorship fits perfectly with our commitment to improving the health of the community," said Kim Horn, Priority Health's president and CEO. "This outstanding group of athletes serves as positive role models for kids and their families."
The Priority Health Cycling Team is one of only 15 International Cycling Union (UCI) Continental teams in the United States. Managed and based in Michigan, the team features some of Michigan’s top talent — Brian Sheedy of Rockford and Graham Howard of Grand Rapids.
In addition to the team’s race schedule for 2007, the team will make several appearances at various Priority Health-sponsored events promoting wellness and encouraging healthy living throughout Michigan. The event schedule includes in-school assemblies, community walks, runs and cycling events.
"The Priority Health Cycling Team really made a huge impact, not only in the racing community but with children and families in Michigan," said Mark Olson, Priority Health cycling Team Manager. "We are excited to be a part of Priority Health’s mission to improve the health of the community."
In addition to the Priority Health UCI Continental team, there are three regional teams: a U23 Men's Team (under age 23), an Elite Women's Team, and an Elite Masters Men's Team (age 30+). A coed amateur club team completes the full Priority Health Cycling Team. All of the teams are managed by the husband and wife team of Mark and Cheryl Olson of Athletic Mentors.
To connect fans with the team, Priority Health has created a Web site, TeamPriorityHealth.com, featuring information on individual riders and races, as well as general cycling news. Visit TeamPriorityHealth.com for information on the team and its event schedule for 2007.
About Priority Health
Priority Health is a nationally recognized health plan company based in
Michigan. It serves more than 460,000 members with a broad portfolio of products
including HMOs, PPOs, HSAs, Medicaid, and Medicare. Priority Health is a
non-profit company governed by a volunteer board of directors. Dedicated to
improving health and lowering health care costs, the company is consistently
ranked among the nation’s best health plans by the
National Business Coalition on Health and the National Committee for Quality
Assurance.
About the Priority Health Cycling Team
The Priority Health Cycling Team, UCI Continental Pro Cycling lineup includes
Brian Sheedy, Tom Zirbel, Teddy King, Robbie King, Richard England, Omer Kem,
Morgan Schmitt, Ben Jacques-Maynes, Scott Zwinzanski, Graham Howard, Emile
Abraham and Garrett Peltonen. Priority Health is the title sponsor. Bissell Inc.
is the team’s 2007 presenting sponsor while Advantage
Benefits is a key supporting sponsor. Product sponsors include Pinarello, SRAM,
First Endurance, Axley USA, Giordana, Easton, Winalda Litho, Emerald Spas, Bell,
Schwalbe, Speedplay and DMT.
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