Bill Walton - Hall of Fame basketball great and current television broadcaster - will deliver the keynote speech for the 2011 National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) Youth Sports Congress. The Congress, held in conjunction with the Athletic Business Conference and Expo, is the preferred source of information and education for all professionals involved in youth sports.
 
This year's Congress will be held in Orlando, Fla. on Nov. 30-Dec. 3. The three-day event features comprehensive educational training on innovative topics in the field of youth sports.
 
Walton’s professional career began when he was the number one overall pick in the 1974 NBA Draft by the Portland Trailblazers. He helped lead them to a championship in 1977 and nine years later he earned another championship with the Boston Celtics.
 
Walton earned numerous accolades during his NBA career, including being named the league’s Most Valuable Player in 1978 and the Playoff MVP in 1977. He is also one of only five players in the history of the NBA to lead the league in both blocked shots and rebounding in the same season.
 
Walton was introduced to the sport of basketball in the fourth grade. He played throughout high school and in 1970 enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) where he played center for legendary Coach John Wooden. He was a member of two NCAA championship teams and was part of UCLA’s record 88 game winning streak.
 
Walton remains active with basketball through clinics, coaching and television commentary. He has also worked for ABC, ESPN, NBC, CBS, Fox, the NBA and many others. In 2001, Walton won an Emmy for best live sports television broadcast and in 2009 he was named one of the top 50 broadcasters of all time by the American Sportscasters Association.
 
Walton delivers unique and powerful messages through presentations that focus on the great lessons of life. In addition to his keynote speech at Congress, Walton will present the prestigious Excellence in Youth Sports Award to the five winning NAYS Chapters during the awards ceremony.
 
Sponsored by NAYS and Athletic Business, the Excellence Award recognizes organizations across the country and military bases worldwide that do superior jobs of conducting diverse activities with a focus on providing safe and positive experiences for all participants, including children, parents and coaches.
 
In addition to all the traditional benefits of being a Congress delegate, attendees will also have access to several of the great Athletic Business Conference events, including the keynote sessions, welcome reception and the Expo. The cost of registration is $425.
 
Click here for more information about the Youth Sports Congress, email yscongress@nays.org or call (800) 688-KIDS (5437).