An active Scouter for more than 70 years, John “Jack” Coughlin was recognized at the Boy Scouts of America’s National Annual Meeting in San Diego, California, as the organization’s Alumni of the Year. The new award is intended to recognize those individuals whose lives have been positively impacted by Scouting, or those who have impacted the lives of others in the movement. Mr. Coughlin is an Eagle Scout, a Distinguished Eagle Scout, and has received the organization’s highest national award for service to youth, the Silver Buffalo Award. He has served in numerous positions in the Westchester-Putman Council.

To say Jack Coughlin has been a trailblazer would be an understatement; at 87 years old, he’s still blazing new trails. One of Mr. Coughlin’s most significant recent contributions to the BSA was the concept and groundwork to create a database of Eagle Scouts. Since the first Eagle Scout Award was presented in 1912, more than 2 million men have proudly shared that recognition. However, after receiving the award, many Eagle Scouts go on with life—only finding out about other Eagles through casual conversation, or as a reference on a resume or application.

After seven years of development, Coughlin’s idea came to fruition when the first Eagle Scout Roll of Honor book rolled off the press in 2008. Through this publication, nearly 500,000 men who responded to the survey have reconnected with other Eagle Scouts. To complement the Roll of Honor book, Eagle Scout Stories was introduced in 2010.

“As a proud Eagle Scout, and a member of the National Eagle Scout Association, the Roll of Honor gives every man that has earned the award the opportunity to be part of something bigger than himself,” said Robert Mazzuca, Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America. “Jack’s selfless determination opened the doors for thousands of men to connect with other men who share a similar journey and a shared legacy.”

The Gingrich Foundation has selected the Boy Scouts of America as Charity of the Month for June in commemoration of President Woodrow Wilson’s signing into law a national charter for the Boy Scouts of America on June 15, 1916.

Originally incorporated in February 1910 by W. D. Boyce, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) has become one of the nation’s largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations. The BSA provides a program for young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and develops personal fitness.

The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law. For nearly a century, the BSA has helped build the future leaders of America by combining educational activities and lifelong values with fun.

“The Boy Scouts of America prepares young people for life by providing the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training,” said Brad Farmer, Assistant Chief Scout Executive, BSA. “With 2.7 million youth members and more than a million volunteers the BSA serves America through millions of service hours each year. We are grateful for our supporters’ gifts of time and resources which allow us to continue our mission and to help develop our nation’s future leaders.”

“The Boy Scouts of America teach our youth to become responsible and productive members of our communities,” said Callista Gingrich, President of the Gingrich Foundation. “Newt and I encourage all Americans to support the valuable work they do in helping to develop our next generation of leaders.”

The Boy Scouts of America believes that preparing young people for life, in areas of education, leadership and service – all with a spirit of adventure – is the key to building a more conscientious, responsible, and productive society. Through various programs, including Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venturing and other tools like the award-winning Boys’ Life, which has for 100 years chronicled Scouting’s commitment to give young Americans the tools, experiences and knowledge they need to make the world a better place, Boy Scouts of America offers opportunities for young people to learn about education, leadership, community, character, and service. In addition to supporting and teaching youth in the United States, Boy Scout councils also provide service to American citizens living abroad.

The Gingrich Foundation is a domestic non-profit corporation founded by Callista and Newt Gingrich to support charitable purposes.

Get Involved in Scouting: https://beascout.scouting.org.

Support Scouting by becoming an alumnus of the Boy Scouts of America: http://www.scoutingfriends.org.

Source: Gingrich Foundation

INDYCAR proudly announces today that the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is now an official sponsor of the IZOD IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights. The BSA was introduced to motorsports in 2010 through an association with Dale Coyne Racing — an experience that convinced the 101-year-old organization that INDYCAR was an ideal partner with whom to align and to advance their youth leadership and education initiatives. The BSA expects to use the INDYCAR relationship to teach Scouts about the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) aspects of racing.

“Racing is a modern way to connect with youth and to further Scouting’s dedication to expanding tomorrow’s leaders through STEM,” said Bob Mazzuca, Chief Scout Executive of the BSA. “INDYCAR adds fun and entertainment to these educational exercises, providing a cool way to get kids excited about learning. We are thrilled about this relationship and the opportunities it gives our young people.”

The BSA will continue to enjoy the opportunity to market its brand to INDYCAR’s television audience and at its live races via the red, white, and blue Boy Scouts of America-branded No. 19 car of Dale Coyne Racing. Also, Scouts will be able to visit the Dale Coyne Racing paddock to talk to engineers and see the team at work firsthand. Discounted tickets will be available at numerous races across the country, and promotional elements such as Scout Alley will be activated to entertain the young men as they become fans of INDYCAR and exposed to behind-the-scenes aspects of the motorsports industry.

“One of INDYCAR’s goals is to grow its audience and establish the next generation of fans,” said Randy Bernard, INDYCAR CEO. “This relationship with the Boy Scouts of America allows us to engage new and younger demographic sectors and create a more family friendly environment, serving our youth initiatives through its grassroots campaigns.”

With 2.7 million youth members, more than one million adult volunteers, and nearly 50 million living alumni, there will be considerably more fans of the IZOD IndyCar Series through 2012 and beyond. The agreement between the Boy Scouts of America and INDYCAR is in place until December 2012.

IZOD IndyCar Series driver Alex Lloyd raced the Boys Scouts of America-branded car through the entire 2010 schedule, culminating in rookie of the year honors. For 2011, Alex joins Sebastien Bourdais in the team’s No. 19 car. Alex drives on the ovals, while Sebastien navigates the road and street courses.

About Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America prepares young people for life by providing the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training. The Scouting organization is composed of 2.7 million youth members between the ages of 7 and 21, and more than a million volunteers, in nearly 300 local councils throughout the United States and its territories. For more information on the Boy Scouts of America, please visit www.scouting.org.

About INDYCAR
INDYCAR is the governing body of the IZOD IndyCar Series, the premier open-wheel racing series in the United States, and Firestone Indy Lights, which serves as an essential stepping stone for drivers and teams striving to reach the IZOD IndyCar Series and the Mazda Road to Indy, a development ladder system for career-minded drivers who wish to compete in the IZOD IndyCar Series. INDYCAR events are available to a worldwide audience through a variety of multimedia platforms, highlighted by long-term and broad-reaching partnerships with ABC and VERSUS. INDYCAR is continually at the forefront of motorsports innovation with drivers, teams, and tracks benefiting from major safety and technological improvements such as the SAFER Barrier, SWEMS wheel tethers, chassis enhancements, ethanol fuel, and the Holmatro Safety Team.