INDIANAPOLIS---"Journey to the Gold," which highlights collegiate athletes and coaches who have participated in the Olympic Games, is on display now through October 16, at the NCAA Hall of Champions. The exhibit features the NCAA's contribution to the Olympics through art, photographs, medals, and other memorabilia dating back to the 1932 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Specially featured in the collection are memorabilia from Indiana University, Bloomington's swimming team, the University of Iowa's wrestling team, and the famous "Tigerbelles" from Tennessee State University's track and field team. Coaches and athletes from these teams medaled in both the collegiate and Olympic arenas.

More than 20 artifacts are on display including Jesse Owens' bronze shoe, coach James (Doc) Counsilman's swimming robe, and an Olympic torch which passed through Indianapolis when the Games were held in the United States in 1984.

Also included in the exhibit are photographs and biographies of NCAA champions and Olympic medalists such as Mark Spitz, Dan Gable and Wilma Rudolph. An art collection from the American Sport Art Museum and Archives in Daphne, Alabama, is on loan and is displayed in conjunction with an Olympic timeline highlighting NCAA athletes' participation in the games.

The NCAA Hall of Champions -a two-level, 35,000-square-foot facility in the White River State Park at 700 West Washington Street in Downtown Indianapolis - is designed to create an appreciation for the unique and special experiences of the student-athlete. To that end, all of the exhibits interactively engage visitors and create a true-to-life understanding of just what it takes to make the grade.

For more information on the NCAA Hall of Champions, visit www.ncaahallofchampions.org or call 800/735-NCAA.

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