NORFOLK, Va. — Former Norfolk State volleyball player Shardonay Blueford (Chesapeake, Va.) has been accepted to the United States Olympic Committee's 2009 F.L.A.M.E. (Finding Leaders Among Minorities Everywhere) program which runs from August 1-4 at the U.S. Olympic Complex in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Blueford, a four-year member of the Spartan volleyball team, graduated from NSU in December 2008 and is currently pursuing a master's in sports studies with an emphasis in sports management at High Point University in Greensboro, N.C.

In the spirit of the Olympic Ideals of persistence, vision, focus, discipline and commitment, F.L.A.M.E. inspires minority college students to cultivate their desire to succeed and rise above the ordinary level of expectations. F.L.A.M.E. provides minority student leaders with opportunities for personal and professional growth and an inside look at the USOC, its structure and processes.

F.L.A.M.E. includes seminars and workshops taught by USOC leaders, Olympic and Paralympic athletes and community leaders who have achieved personal, professional or athletic successes in life.

To be considered, applicants must be undergraduate or graduate minority students with a GPA of 2.75 or higher, at least some athletic background and a history of involvement in school leadership and community service.