Police Athletic League to bring fitness to kids

Cathy Scott

Monday, Nov. 3, 1997 | 10:27 a.m.

Mark Medina, a captain in Metro Police's southwest substation, is pumping iron with a nationally known trainer to get ready for a new program.

Founded in 1932 by the New York City Police Department, the Police Athletic League, or PAL, is about to become a reality for Las Vegas kids.

Helping Medina organize Metro's PAL program for the past year have been Bob Babalino, an officer from Philadelphia, and Ruth Joseph, assistant principal at Durango High School.

"A host of other people have helped, but we're the main three," Medina said.

Also helping, however, is Joyce Vedral, a fitness expert. Besides volunteering to help raise funds and get some officers in shape, Vedral will be helping kids pump iron.

"We can capitalize on her expertise," Medina said. "This kind of training costs thousands (of dollars)."

During a recent workout where she put Medina through her 30-minute program, Vedral suggested, "Any cop can do my workout with the least amount of effort."

She included the program in her just-published book, "Weight Training Made Easy." Medina, a swimmer, began working out with Vedral about three months ago. She put him through her free-weight program, and he, in turn, enlisted her in his PAL program.

"My heart goes out to police officers," Vedral said. "We take them for granted. I wanted to give something back to them."

Medina got the idea to bring PAL to Metro when he worked with at-risk youth.

"Our intention is for PAL to be a long-lasting program," Medina said. "It's different from any other program because we use police volunteers as the focal point. Once kids find out that police officers are more than just the ones who write tickets and take them to jail, it's a positive relationship and they're positive role models."

As soon as final approval for tax-exempt status is approved and funding is in place, they can begin recruiting kids ages 8 to 17. Medina has already chartered the organization, which is affiliated with the national PAL program, he said.

"Some of the kids can't even afford the sports insurance (for athletic programs)," Medina said. "Someone has to pick up the tab, and PAL could help with that."

Medina described PAL as recognizing "that every kid has talents in different categories."

PAL goals include starting roller hockey teams and working out at Barry's Boxing, a local nonprofit gym owned by Metro Officer Patrick Barry, a retired professional boxer. Barry's Boxing program would be one way for kids to compete through the PAL program, Medina said.

"Kids love to play," he said. "We want to ensure that they have some successes. The end result is to have children who have experienced a lot of good things, a lot of positives. That carries into adulthood. It takes time to organize PAL but the end result is well worth the time spent."