IESA Headlines

First To The Finish, IESA Renew, Expand Partnership

First To The Finish and the Illinois Elementary School Association (IESA) have renewed and expanded their partnership to promote sports participation for the more than 134,000 seventh and eighth grade students in IESA's 683 member schools.

For the last several years, First To The Finish has been a major contributor to IESA track and field. The company has been providing much of the equipment used in conducting the annual Class A and Class AA State Final Track and Field Meets. That equipment is then sold at discounted prices to IESA member schools. In addition, First To The Finish staff has been on site at the two state final track and field meets to answer questions and display its team and individual product line.

The company's involvement in IESA sports will be expanded to include cross country and volleyball beginning with the 2005-06 school term.

"First To The Finish, an Illinois company headquartered in Carlinville, is a major marketer of equipment and athletic gear throughout the United States," said IESA Executive Director Steve Endsley. "The material provided by the company at our track and field meets has allowed us to conduct showcase events with equipment that is state of the art. The First To The Finish staff has been very helpful with a hands on approach to our students, their families and coaches at the two meets. We are delighted that our relationship has been extended for the next three years. I encourage personnel at our member schools to take advantage of the services that First To The Finish can provide."

The company will provide support to IESA member schools from its Carlinville Office and on site at the state final events in cross country, girls volleyball and track and field.

To contact First To The Finish, member school staff and parents of IESA athletes should call (800) 747-9013. They may also visit the company's web site www.firsttothefinish.com at any time.