SportsFigures

SportsFigures is an American educational television series for middle and high school aged teenagers produced by ESPN in association with Factory Films Inc. that aired from 1995-2007 on ESPN2. The program uses sports to teach physics, general science and math. Major sports celebrities join the host in a quest to find the answer to a sports/physical phenomenon. Why does a curveball curve? What's the perfect launch angle for a snowboard jump? How can you have an ice skating rink in Southern California? The show was the brain-child of George Bodenheimer, then vice president, now Executive Chairman of sports network ESPN. First broadcast in 1995, 84 half hours have presented over 160 different topics. Sports celebrities on the show have included Tiger Woods, Tony Hawk, Derek Jeter, Jeff Gordon, Jeanette Lee, Amanda Beard, Julie Foudy, Bob Burnquist, Vince Carter, Barry Larkin, Kenyon Martin, Lynn St. James, Reggie Jackson, Dave Mirra, Troy Glaus, Dan O'Brien, Benny Carter, Janet Evans, Chanda Rubin, Mike Richter, Pam McGee and Sascha Cohen among many others. The final year of production was 2007 though it continued airing in reruns through 2010.