Coach Doug Merrill – Born in Toledo, Ohio, Coach Merrill is the President and Founder of the Power UP Foundation.  Merrill is a graduate of Bowling Green High School and a graduate of Bowling Green State University.

After graduating high school, Merrill attended Owens Community College where he was a member of the college baseball team.  In addition, Merrill had served as a baseball coach for the past twenty years.  In 2009, Merrill resigned his position as the Head Baseball Coach at Bowling Green High School.

In 2008, Merrill published the book “Fighting the Demon of Suicide”.  The book is based upon the eight friends of Coach Merrill’s that made the decision to end their own lives.  It is Merrill’s hope that his book will serve as an educational tool to all of those who work with our nation’s youth, hopeful for parents, and inspiring for all those who read it.

In 2009, Merrill founded the Power UP Foundation.  The foundation was created to provide financial assistance to communities across the country that has programs that promote better physical fitness and mental health.  Merrill believes that better physical health equals better mental health.

Coach Merrill has completed a remarkable run that began October 4^th, 2009 at Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts and concluded April 2, 2010 in Key West, Florida, promoting positive physical fitness, therefore positive mental health. The run lasted 6 months and had him running half-marathon (13.1 miles) a day. Coach Merrill spoke at universities, colleges, community organizations, and high schools to spread his message of achieving positive mental health through improved physical health.

Coach Merrill has completed a remarkable run that began October 4^th, 2009 at Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts and concluded April 2, 2010 in Key West, Florida, promoting positive physical fitness, therefore positive mental health.  The run lasted 6 months and had him running half-marathon (13.1 miles) a day. Coach Merrill spoke at universities, colleges, community organizations, and high schools to spread his message of achieving positive mental health through improved physical health.

Cynthia Abdon – Cyndi comes to Power UP Foundation with 15+ years of corporate work experience.  Cyndi serves as Publicity Director for the Power UP Foundation.  Her main responsibility includes all scheduling aspects for Coach Merrill with media relations, universities, colleges and community organizations.  Cyndi also serves as Secretary and Member for the Power UP Foundation Board of Directors.