Steve Mesler facts for kids
Mesler in 2014
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| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Steven Michael Mesler | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | August 28, 1978 Buffalo, New York, U.S. |
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| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spouse(s) | Rhiannon MacDonnell Mesler (2016-present) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Bobsleigh | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Event(s) | Four-man | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coached by | Stuart McMillan, Brian Shimer | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Achievements and titles | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Olympic finals | 2002, 2006, 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Highest world ranking | World Champion, Olympic Champion | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Steven Michael Mesler (born August 28, 1978) is an American athlete famous for bobsledding. He is also the co-founder and leader of an amazing non-profit group called Classroom Champions. This organization helps students learn with the help of Olympic and Paralympic athletes. Steve also used to be on the board for the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee.
Contents
Steve Mesler: Early Life and Sports
Steve Mesler was born in Buffalo, New York. He went to City Honors School in Buffalo and finished in 1996.
After high school, Steve went to the University of Florida in Gainesville. There, he was a decathlete for the Florida Gators track and field team from 1997 to 2000. He earned his degree in exercise and sports science in 2000.
Olympic and World Championship Wins
Mesler won a gold medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. He was a "pusher" for driver Steve Holcomb's U.S. Olympic team in the four-man bobsled event. This was a huge win, as it was the first gold medal for the United States in this event in 62 years!
Before that, his team finished seventh in the four-man event at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin. Steve also won two medals at the FIBT World Championships. He took home a gold medal in 2009, which was the first for the U.S. in 50 years. He also earned a bronze medal in 2004.
In March 2011, Steve was honored by being added to the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. In October 2011, he was also inducted into the Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame.
Classroom Champions: Helping Kids Learn
In 2009, Steve Mesler and his sister, Dr. Leigh Mesler Parise, started an amazing organization called Classroom Champions. This group has grown into an international program. It helps students by connecting them with Olympians and Paralympians.
These athletes become mentors for thousands of students all year long. They help kids in the U.S., Canada, and Costa Rica. Classroom Champions also donates important technology to classrooms.
Awards and Recognition
Because of his work with Classroom Champions, Sports Illustrated magazine named Steve one of their "Athletes Who Care." He was also nominated for the International Champion for Peace Award in 2011. Steve is a TED-Ed Educator and has shared his ideas on Big Think. He has spoken around the world about how technology and mentorship can help educate students.
In 2013, Classroom Champions was the only non-European group to get a Fair Play Diploma from the International Fair Play Committee. This committee was started by UNESCO. Recently, many groups, including the United States Olympic Committee and even the White House, have praised Classroom Champions teachers for their great work.
Classroom Champions has been featured in many well-known publications, such as:
- Forbes
- Sports Illustrated
- Sports Illustrated for Kids
- ABC News
- The Washington Post
- The Sporting News
- USA Today
- Yahoo Sports
Steve Mesler's Other Work
Steve Mesler also works as a leadership consultant. He helps businesses improve their teams and leaders. He works with companies of all sizes to help employees grow and work better together.
He has given speeches at big conferences all over the world. He has talked about the Olympic spirit in Olympia, Greece. He also spoke about getting people involved in Tel Aviv, Israel. In March 2014, Steve spoke at the Global Education and Skills Forum in Dubai. His talk was called "Systematic change means getting back to local.". Other famous speakers at this event included Tony Blair and Bill Clinton.
TV Appearances
Steve Mesler is also a TV host and commentator. He has reported on bobsledding for NBCUniversal for World Championships and World Cup races. He has also co-hosted Calgary's Breakfast Television morning show. You might have seen him on American TV shows like the Late Show with David Letterman, the Today Show, and The Colbert Report.
Helping Others
Steve Mesler often gives his time to help different charities. He has worked with many groups to raise awareness and money. These include:
- Ronald McDonald House
- Make a Wish Foundation
- Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Peace and Sport
- Right To Play
In November 2014, Steve received the Athletes in Excellence Award. This award recognized his community service and his work with young people.
See also
In Spanish: Steve Mesler para niños
- Florida Gators
- List of Olympic medalists in bobsleigh
- List of University of Florida alumni
- List of University of Florida Olympians
- List of Jewish Olympic medalists
