"SWIFT JUSTICE": SCU Law Student Seeks Olympic Trials Marathon and Support for the Katharine and George Alexander Community Law Center (KGACLC).
Elite distance runner and Santa Clara University Law School student, J.T. Service, is running the 2007 Honda Los Angeles Marathon in hopes of fulfilling both his athletic goal of qualifying for the 2008 USA Marathon Olympic Trials and his social goal of serving the Katharine and George Community Law Center (KGACLC) in San Jose.
Born and raised in San Jose, CA, Service excelled in both cross-country and track & field for the Archbishop Mitty High School Monarchs. Taking his intense passion for running and life down south, he went onto have a successful career at UC-Santa Barbara in both sports before returning to his hometown to attend law school at Santa Clara University.
Splitting his time between professional distance running as a member of the Asics Aggies Olympic Development team, coaching a youth track club, and attending law school, Service added KGACLC to his current curriculum. The Center graciously provides numerous legal services to an impoverished sector of society.
Service also has his sights set on the US Olympic Marathon Trials, set to take place in New York City on November 4, 2007. However, in order to compete in those trials, Service must run under 2:22.00, a brisk 5:25 per mile over the 26.2 mile distance. In his marathon debut last June, Service was the first American finisher across the line, racing to a 2:24.42 at the San Diego Rock ‘n Roll marathon.
Training harder than ever this year, Service has been recording personal records at almost every distance bringing the dream closer to reality. Last week, Service competed at the 2007 USA Cross-Country Championships in the high altitude of Boulder, CO. Despite being significantly disadvantaged due to training at sea-level, he still finished 35th in one of the deepest fields in U.S. Cross Country Championship history surrounded by past Olympians and National champions.
Now Service is attempting to fulfill his Olympic Trials goal at the L.A. marathon on March 4, 2007, but before the gun goes off he is trying to fulfill the charitable goals of the Community Law Center. Service has been working at KGACLC in the worker’s rights division. Recognizing the powerful service the Center provides for people everyday, he has decided to help raise much needed funds for a law center that serves those who cannot afford an attorney, and that without the help of KGACLC, their legal problems – involving job security, financial stability, immigration status, or even basic physical safety – would be left unaddressed.
KGACLC operates with nearly a dozen full-time staff and is funded largely by non-university dollars. It advises, counsels, and represents low-income clients on legal issues involving workers’ rights, workers’ compensation, immigration, and consumer protection. Service is running the L.A. marathon in the name of KGACLC and in the honor of the people that fight for low-income individuals who too often do not have a voice. I
It is the mission of "Swift Justice" to raise $10,000 before crossing the line on March 4th. For more information on "Swift Justice" or J.T. Service please contact:
David Monico: 805-452-3580 or Email: dmonico@gmail.com
JT Service: 408-406-6490 or Email: jtservice@hotmail.com
For more information on KGACLC or to make a donation please contact: Sergio Lopez: 408-288-7030 ext. 256 or Email: smlopez@scu.edu
KGACLC, 1030 The Alameda, San Jose, CA 95126
Checks can be made payable to: KGACLC, SCU
