Polk Athletes

JOSH COX

Josh Cox, the American record holder in the 50k (31 miles), is a four-time U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier and three-time U.S. National Team member. Highlights include being the top American marathon finisher at the World Track & Field Championships. Cox was named the USA Track & Field Athlete of the week in January 2009 for breaking the 50k record by four minutes at Arizona’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon, and again in January 2011 for winning the P.F.Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon, en route to breaking his own 50k American Record by three and a half minutes, running the second fastest time in history, and missing the World Record by a scant 7 seconds.

In 2009 & 2011, Cox’s 50k was the fastest in the world. Cox, 36, set a course record at the 1997 Mountain Masochist 50-mile trail run in Virginia at the age of 22; at 23, he ran his first marathon (2:19), making him the youngest qualifier for the 2000 Olympic Marathon Trials.

His other running accomplishments include: a course record at the 2007 Air Force Marathon, winning the 2008 Rocket City Marathon and a runner up finish at the 2009 California International Marathon. In April 2010 Cox won the Boston Athletic Association 5k. A week later he won the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon in Nashville, Tennessee. In December 2010 Cox won the Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon. Outside of his 140-mile week training regimen, Cox has starred on ABC's Bachelorette show. He currently offers his professional perspective for NBC and NBC Universal Sport’s marathon broadcasts. Cox serves as a sports and social media consultant. For the past six years he has helped recruit and build PowerBar’s TeamElite. Cox is active as a speaker and writer and is a contributing author to the popular Chicken Soup for the Soul series.

Born August 9, 1975, Cox grew up in San Diego, graduated from Christian High Schoolin 1993 and Virginia’s Liberty University in 1998. He currently pursues his passions with his wife, Carrie, and his human-tornado son, Asher Legend, at their home in Mammoth Lakes, California. Although he rarely admits it in public, Josh is owner to a Mac cord eating, nine pound bunny, named Jack, who likes to pick fights with large dogs and even bigger humans. After years of serving as his wife’s guard bunny during her days at Cal Berkeley Jack is now enjoying retirement in the mountains.

Personal Bests

10 miles 47:32 San Diego, California January 2001
Half Marathon 1:04:00 Las Vegas, Nevada February 2002
Marathon 2:13:50 Houston, Texas January 2012
50k 2:43:45 Phoenix, Arizona January 2011

Ultra-Marathon
50k American Record at 2011 Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon (7 seconds off World Record)
50k American Record at 2009 PF Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon
Fastest 50k time in the world in 2009 and 2011
Winner and course record at 1997 Mountain Masochist 50 Mile Trail Run, Virginia

Marathon
Four-time Olympic Trials qualifier
Three-time US National Team Member
Winner 2011 PF Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon, Phoenix, Arizona
Winner 2010 Zappos.com Las Vegas Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon, Nevada
Second place 2009 California International Marathon, Sacramento, California
Winner 2008 Rocket City Marathon, Huntsville, Alabama
Winner and course record 2007 US Air Force Marathon, Dayton, Ohio
Seventh place 2004 Olympic Trials, Birmingham, Alabama
Top American 2001 World Track & Field Championships, Edmonton, Canada
Second American 2001 Boston Marathon, Boston, Massachusetts
Top American1999 Suzuki Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon, San Diego, California
Youngest qualifier 2000 US Olympic Trials

Half Marathon and other races
Winner 2011 Holiday Bowl 5k, San Diego, California
Winner and course record at 2010 & 2011 Malibu Half Marathon
Winner 2010 Country Music Half Marathon, Nashville, Tennessee
Winner 2010 B.A.A. 5k Boston, Massachusetts
Second American 2004 World Half Marathon Championships, New Deli, India
Winner and course record 2002 Stralivigno Half Marathon, Livigno, Italy

 

RUDY GAY

Personal Data...
Birthdate: 8/17/86
Birthplace: Baltimore, MD
Height: 6'8" | Weight: 222
College: University of Connecticut
www.rudygay22.com | Twitter: @rudygay22

Career Highlights

Signed a five-year max contract extension with the Grizzlies in July 2010
2010 FIBA World Champion as part of Team USA
Averaged 19.6 ppg and 5.9 rpg in the 09-10 season
Led the Grizzlies in scoring during the 2008-09 season, averaging 18.9 ppg
Participated in the 2008 Sprite Slam Dunk Competition during All-Star Weekend
Garnered NBA All-Rookie first team honors and finished third in 2007 NBA Rookie of the Year voting after averaging 10.9 ppg
Selected as the eight overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft
2006 First-Team All-American and First-Team All-Big East
Finalist for 2006 Naismith Player of the Year Award
Averaged 15.2 points and 4.4 rebounds per game during the 2005- 06 season while leading the Huskies to a 30-3 record and an Elite 8 appearance
Named the National Freshman of the Year by The Sporting News in 2005
Big East Rookie of the Year in 2005.

Gold Medal Glow…
The smile on Gay's face following Team USA's undefeated run to the 2010 FIBA World Championships is unforgettable. Gay proved to be a key offensive weapon in helping USA win their first World Championship since 1996.
Top of His Game…
Off to a tremendous start in the 2010-11 NBA season, Gay is averaging career highs of 20.7 points, 47.7% FG shooting, 41.7% three-point shooting and 6.0 rebounds. Gay is second in the NBA in minutes played and ranks in the top 20 in several statistical categories including points, points- per-game, steals and minutes-per-game.

An Interesting Angle
Always willing to showcase his personality, Gay spoofed the popular Dos Equis commercial as he became the "Most Interesting Man in the NBA" to encourage fans to vote for him for the NBA All-Star Game. The video has gained major traction online and has been featured on numerous outlets including ESPN, USA Today, Yahoo Sports, CBS Sportsline and Dime among others.

Lending a Helping Hand
During the 09-10 NBA season, Rudy was the leader of the Hoops For St. Jude team that helped raise money for the children's research hospital. All told, Gay donated a fitting $22,222.222 to St. Jude and participated in many special projects and fundraisers throughout the season to showcase his support.

TV Time Out
During the 2008 offseason, Gay ventured out to Hollywood to film a cameo in the season premiere of the CW network show “The Game."  Star Power… Gay showcased his skills on another type of hardwood, the bowling lanes, as he starred along with fellow NBA stars Chris Paul, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Kevin Durant in the first ever Chris Paul PBA Celebrity Invitational (2009). This official PBA event paired the five NBA players with five pro bowlers in a celebrity pro-am that aired nationally on ESPN.

YouTube Favorite
Rudy took a unique approach to the 2008 Sprite Slam Dunk Contest, and it turned out to be a viral video favorite on YouTube and served as the catalyst for the competition. For the first-time ever, Gay sought out direct fan input in his dunk selection, asked basketball fans from across the globe to submit their themselves demonstrating their best dunk and upload it to Rudy's YouTube page. Rudy would pick his favorite dunk from the submissions and replicate it during the competition. The video garnered over 2 million page views on YouTube and the unprecedented promotion received widespread attention in publications including ESPN.com, Yahoo.com and Sports Illustrated among others.

Baseball Fanatic…
Away from basketball, Gay has always had a strong passion for America's pastime. He idolized Ken Griffey Jr. growing up and roots for his hometown Baltimore Orioles. Gay also took batting practice prior to a minor-league Memphis Redbirds game © Octagon 1/11.

HEATHER MITTS

HOMETOWN: Cincinnati, OH
DOB: June 9, 1978
AGE: 33 yrs. HEIGHT: 5'5"
HAIR COLOR: Blonde
EYE COLOR: Brown
POSITION: Defender, USWNT and WPS Atlanta Beat
CORPORATE PARTNERS: Polk Audio, UnderArmour, Force Factor, TRX Training

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
2011 Womens World Cup roster, the team captivated the country in their epic run eventually ending in a loss to Japan and a Silver medal.
2010 Became the 25th female player in U.S. history to earn her 100th cap.
2008 Olympic Gold Medalist, started every game of the Beijing Olympics and played a crucial role in the final shut out v. Brazil.
2004 Olympic Gold Medalist
Two-Time WUSA All Star
Two-time All-American
1998 Led the Florida Gators to a NCAA National Championship.

WELL ROUNDED SPORTS FANATIC
Heather co-hosted "The Tailgate Show" which aired before/after Eagles games. She could also be spotted as a sports reporter/anchor on the NBC affiliate WCAU in Philly. She was an in-studio analyst for NBC and ESPN's Coverage of the 2003 Women's World Cup and did sideline reporting for MLS games as well as College Football games aired on ESPN. In 2004, she was voted ESPN's Sexiest Athlete.

PAUL RABIL

For the second time in his 4 MLL seasons, Rabil was named the 2011 MLL Offensive Player of the Year and league’s Most Valuable Player. In 2011, the Boston Cannons took home their first franchise MLL Championship. Rabil is now one of three players in lacrosse to have won an MLL, NLL, World Championship, and Division 1 Championship in his career (joining HOF Gary Gait and HOF Tom Maracheck). Rabil was selected to his 4th consecutive MLL All-Star Game, one for each season he has played. He also won the MLL Freestyle Bud Light Skills Competition with his version of Blake Griffin’s “car jump” for a dunk. Rabil is now the first MLL player to have won the Freestyle Skills Competition and the Fastest Shot Competition. In the Winter of 2011, Paul was selected to his first NLL All-Star team. He also helped take the Washington Stealth back to the NLL Championship Game with a chance to repeat as Champions.

In May 2010, Rabil and the Washington Stealth took home the NLL’s Champions Cup. In July of 2010, Rabil helped Team USA avenge Team Canada from the 2006 loss to win the Gold medal in the FIL World Championships, in Manchester England. Rabil took home the World’s Most Valuable Player award and Top Midfielder of 2010. He earned his second consecutive MLL All-Pro award, and 3rd consecutive MLL All-Star appearance in the Summer of 2010.

In 2009, Rabil was voted Major League Lacrosse’s Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year. This was the first time a midfielder was named MVP, in addition to his league leading 53 points.
A four time All-American at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, Rabil is drafted a professional lacrosse player with the Boston Cannons of Major League Lacrosse and Washington Stealth in the National Lacrosse League.

While at Johns Hopkins, Rabil was a three-time first team All-American, one-time third team All-American, and NCAA midfielder of the year. Most importantly, Rabil was a member of the 2005 and 2007 NCAA Division 1 Championship teams. In the 2008 National Championship game, Rabil scored a memorable six goals and recorded one assist against Syracuse in an eventual loss. Two days later, Rabil was selected 1st overall by the Boston Cannons in the 2008 Major League Lacrosse Collegiate Draft.

Career Awards
2012 NLL All-Star
2011 MLL Champion with the Boston Cannons
2011 MLL Most Valuable Player
2011 MLL Offensive Player of the Year
2011 MLL All-Star
2011 NLL All-Star
2010 MLL All-Pro
2010 MLL All-Star
2010 FIL World Champion with Team USA
2010 FIL World’s Most Valuable Player
2010 FIL World’s Top Midfielder
2010 NLL Champions Cup winner with the Washington Stealth
2009 MLL Most Valuable Player
2009 MLL Offensive Player of the Year
2009 MLL All-Pro
2009 MLL All-Star
2009 NLL All-Rookie Team
2008 MLL All-Star
2008 2nd Overall pick in the NLL Draft
2008 1st Overall pick in the MLL Draft
2008 Tewaaraton Finalist
2008 USILA First Team All-American
2007 Tewaaraton Finalist
2007 McLaughlin Award Recipient
2007 National Champion
2007 USILA First Team All-American
2006 USILA First Team All-American
2005 National Champion
2005 USILA Third Team All-American
Johns Hopkins University Career points leader in the NCAA Playoffs
Johns Hopkins University All-time leading goal scorer as a midfielder
Johns Hopkins University All-time leading point scorer as a midfielder
Professional Overview
Education
At Johns Hopkins University, Mr. Rabil was a Dean’s List student graduating with a 3.5 cumulative GPA. He received his BA, with honors, in Political Science. Mr. Rabil is currently a member of the Young Johns Hopkins Alumnus.
Partners
Mr. Rabil and business management team, Rainmaker Sports & Entertainment LLC, have partnered with a diversified group of industry leaders in retail, manufacturing and production. Current and former partners include:
Warrior Sports
New Balance
Red Bull North America
Polk Audio
Nooka Accesories
Hypoxico Altitude Training Systems
Under Armour
Maverik Lacrosse
Blue Collar Lacrosse

Business & Community Endeavors
Mr. Rabil serves on the Board of Directors for the Tewaaraton Foundation, specifically within the Lacrosse Committee. 2012-2013 is Mr. Rabil’s first term. Read More on the Tewaaraton…
Alongside seven other top professional athletes, in 2012 Mr. Rabil joined MC10′s Sports Advisory Board (SAB) to shape the next generation of athletic performance monitoring devices. MC10’s unique technology platform transforms high-performance electronics into thin, conformal systems that enable an entirely new class of athletic apparel and equipment. Read More on Mc10…

A venture partner with FD Investors, Mr. Rabil contributes to the private investment group making diversified and entrepreneurial investments. Investment strategies at FD Investors focuses primarily on Project-based Developments and Minority Growth Capital, through levered acquisitions. Read More on FD Investors…

In 2011, Mr. Rabil founded the Paul Rabil Foundation (PRF). It’s mission is committed to helping children across the country realize their full potential, especially those with learning differences, by supporting programs and partnerships that advance their lives and opportunity through sports. In November 2011, for the 27th Annual Lab School Awards Gala at the National Building Museum in Washington, DC, Chairmen Sheila and David Feinberg honored Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren, consumer advocate Erin Brockovich, California Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom, lacrosse champion Paul Rabil, and Pulitizer Prize winning poet Philip Schultz for their dedication and enthusiasm displayed in the learning differences community. Read More to find out how to contribute to the PRF…