WRESTLING ADVISORY: Olympic wrestling hopeful and N.J. native Steve Mocco, Olympic champion John Smith, Olympic coach Lee Kemp and others to announce major initiative for USA Wrestling

OLYMPIC WRESTLING HOPEFUL, N.J. NATIVE STEVE MOCCO, OLYMPIC CHAMPION JOHN SMITH, OLYMPIC COACH LEE KEMP AND OTHERS TO ANNOUNCE MAJOR INITIATIVE FOR USA WRESTLING Prudential Center Press Event Introduces"Fuel The Dream"Family Program Fundraiser for Olympic Wrestlers And Will Discuss Plans For Newark To Host A Major Future Competition WHO: Steve Mocco (St. Benedicts Prep, Blair Academy) Four time New Jersey state champion, NCAA champion, 2008 Beijing Olympic Freestyle wrestling hopeful Lee Kemp, 2008 Olympic Freestyle Coach, 3-time World champion, 1980 Olympian (will be Mocco's Olympic coach should Mocco qualify for the team) John Smith, Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, head coach Oklahoma State University (Mocco's NCAA coach) Rich Bender, CEO, USA Wrestling ***Interviews Available*** WHAT: Press conference introducing"Fuel the Dream"program, which aims to help families of U.S. Olympic wrestlers attend the Beijing Games this August. Mocco, perhaps the tri-state area's top prospect to make the Olympic wrestling team, will be one of the first beneficiaries of the program. Jeff Vanderbeek of the New Jersey Devils will also discuss his support, as well as potential plans to bring a major amateur wrestling event to the Prudential Center WHEN: Tuesday, May 20 from 1-2 p.m. WHERE: Goal Bar Lounge, Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. BACKGROUND: USA Wrestling is introducing"Fuel the Dream,"believed to be the largest and most extensive fundraising effort by a national governing body to directly raise financial support for the families of U.S. Olympic athletes. The program will assist families with expenses involved in seeing the athletes represent the USA in Beijing. A full 50% of each donation will go, without any reductions, to the individuals who have qualified for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team by winning the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Las Vegas, Nev., June 13-15 at the Thomas , Mack Center. (usawrestlinglasvegas.com) . The other 50% goes to help train athletes that will be on future World and Olympic Teams. For more information, visit www.fuelthedream.org. CONTACT: Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling, 719/598-8181 (o); gabbott@USAWrestling.org Jerry Milani, 212/356-4009 (o); 917/797-5663 (c); jmilani@ifl.tv Joe Favorito 212/356-4003 (o); 917-566-8345 (c); jf@ifl.tv