December 11, 2001

SMU STUDENT, STAFF MEMBER TO CARRY OLYMPIC TORCH; MOTORCADE TO MAKE SHORT STOP ON CAMPUS

DALLAS (SMU) -- One student and one staff member from Southern Methodist University will carry the Olympic torch Wednesday, December 12, through the D-FW Metroplex on its 65-day journey from Atlanta to Salt Lake City for the winter games. The Olympic torch relay caravan of about a dozen vehicles also will make a scheduled 15-minute break on the SMU campus sometime around 4:30 p.m.

Senior Pablo Aguilar and SMU Student Activities Director Arlene Manthey will carry the torch in Dallas and Fort Worth, respectively, as two of an estimated 11,500 torchbearers in 46 states across the country.

Aguilar, who is quadriplegic, said torch officials are providing a device for his wheelchair to allow him to transport the torch during his portion of the event along Royal Lane from Indian Trail to Brockbank Drive in North Dallas around 2:30 p.m. Aguilar will be carrying the torch on his birthday.

Manthey will carry the torch for two-tenths of a mile beginning at the intersection of McCart and Monda in Fort Worth around 8:30 a.m.

The torch relay will take a scheduled 15-minute break at the SMU campus on the west side of the Gerald J. Ford Stadium, along Ownby Drive. The public is invited to come see the torch at the campus.