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Taking care of business - Eric Schiffer Scholarship Races for the physically-challenged

American Fitness, July-August, 1994 by Angela Cohan, Jean Flournoy

Meet Eric Schiffer, a larger than life 27-year-old fitness entrepreneur recognized as one of the country's top 10 "People Who Make a Difference" by Business Week magazine. At age 13, when he began body building, he received a $10,000 advance for writing Pumping Iron for Teenagers and was on his way toward a successful career. Today, he is working to change the world through the efforts of "The American Dream" project, his youth foundation and the Eric Schiffer Scholarship Races.

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The American Dream project is a special nationwide program which prepares young women and men to succeed in work and life. If the program is to make a real difference, it must begin by instilling values and building leadership skills in the early stages of a child's life, according to Schiffer. "Kids today think it is not possible to achieve success," he says. "The American Dream project gives them real hope." What makes The American Dream truly unique is it allows students to make "real world" decisions on issues that affect them in their day-to-day lives.

Physical and mental fitness are essential to the first phase of the after-school activity-oriented program. "Fit To Lead" is taught in two sessions, one for first and second graders and one for third and fourth. The program combines fitness and physical education with the study of great Americans who are used as examples of effective life and success skills.

The second phase--for fifth through eighth graders--is called "Leadership Lab." It builds upon the principles taught in the first phase, adding hands-on involvement in business. Youngsters develop a model city and use "lab dollars" to create their own free enterprise system. They also learn about the management of city government and the impact their decisions have on themselves and society.

The third phase, "The American Dream Machine," is for high school students in the ninth through 12th grades. Participants implement their own small business, using real dollars. With guidance from local business leaders, they learn how to determine product and service viability, develop marketing plans and manage positive employee relations. In addition, they gain a broad understanding of commerce laws and regulations and other societal factors that affect business.

The American Dream project offers real financial rewards in the form of scholarships for qualified high school graduates. For those who show real promise, start-up money is provided to assist students with commercial enterprises after college. The project gives talented young men and women a chance to obtain their own American Dream.

Schiffer plans to make a difference in the world by spreading high hopes and practical skills--one kid at a time. "Each of us shares a common goal--to ensure the next generation of Americans is prepared physically and mentally to lead our great country into the next century," he says. "And a student scholarship is one step toward helping us achieve that end."

It was Schiffer's own early involvement in sports and fitness which established his strong will and determination. From selling pieces of sod from the San Francisco 49ers end zone at Candlestick Park to cashing in on the California real estate boom, Schiffer showed a real knack for spotting trends and finding innovative ways to capitalize on them. But his most impressive accomplishment takes him back to physical fitness. Schiffer purchased the floundering Sportsmed Rehabilitation Clinic in his hometown of Fremont, California. By downsizing the operation, launching a telemarketing division and creating other new management divisions, he turned the near-bankrupt facility into one of the most successful rehab centers in the United States. Its advanced technology attracts "star" clients like actor John Goodman, rapper Hammer and ice skater Kristi Yamaguchi.

While heading Sportsmed, Schiffer founded Quality Medical Associates (QMA), a preferred provider organization that helps personal injury insurance providers root out abuses in the system. QMA now has 12 facilities in California. Branching out into another medical-related business, Schiffer has launched APPROCO, a national medical containment and managed care company. APPROCO specializes in managing the appropriate treatment, utilization and cost of medical claims for large insurance companies and employers across the country.

Schiffer has been fortunate making his own American dream come true. In return, the entrepreneur invests his money in the health and welfare of others. His fondness for kids and his desire to show his gratitude for the opportunities he's had led him to create the Eric Schiffer Youth Foundation based in San Jose, California in 1991. The Foundation seeks out those who Schiffer has labeled "America's leaders of tomorrow," giving inner-city and suburban "latchkey" youth opportunities for a more promising future. "If kids stay focused and do the right thing, they can be successful," says Schiffer. "That's important."

Taking care of business - Eric Schiffer Scholarship Races for the physically-challenged

American Fitness, July-August, 1994 by Angela Cohan, Jean Flournoy

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