Hammond Celebrity Referee for Cystic Fibrosis Challenge, Great Strides Walk

Interim University of Southern Mississippi Athletic Director Jeff Hammond will be the celebrity
referee for the 22^nd annual Delta Tau Delta Cystic Fibrosis Sports Challenge and 2012 Great Strides Walk. The event will be held on the Southern Miss Hattiesburg campus Saturday, March 3 from 8:30 a.m. to noon on the fitness trail at the Payne Center, with Delta Delta Delta sorority serving as event co-host.

Hammond joined the Southern Miss Athletic Department in 2010 as associate director after completing a distinguished 32-year military career with the U.S. Army, attaining the rank of general. One of his last assignments was commanding general of the 4^th Infantry Division, which he deployed and led in Iraq in December 2007. His military decorations include two awards of the Distinguished Service Medal, three awards of the Bronze Star Medal and two awards of the Combat Action Badge.

A Southern Miss alumnus, he was a quarterback for the Golden Eagles football team and was chosen team captain his senior year.  

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is the world's leader in the search for a cure for cystic fibrosis, funding more cystic fibrosis research than any other organization. Nearly every cystic fibrosis drug available today is made possible because of foundation support.

For more information on how to enter a team or be a sponsor in the Great Strides Walk, contact Laurie at 601.981.3100 or 1.800.FIGHTCF. Registration also takes place at the event beginning at 9 a.m. To learn more about the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, online visit http://www.cff.org/