Friday, Aug. 8 has been designated "Amber Campbell Day" in the city of Myrtle Beach by the City Council in honor of the Coastal Carolina University alumna's athletic accomplishments.

The 27-year-old Campbell will be leaving on Friday, Aug. 1 for participation in the XXIX Olympiad in Beijing, China, as a member of the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Team. The hammer throw is her event, and she placed second in the qualifying event July 5.

During her time at Coastal Carolina University, Campbell was a five-time NCAA All-American in the hammer and weight throws. In 2004, her distance of 22.24 meters in the indoor weight throw set an all-time American Collegiate record. In addition to being named the Big South Conference Women's Track Athlete of the Year her last three seasons, Campbell won 16 individual conference titles in the indoor weight throw and shot put, the outdoor shot put, hammer throw and discus.

After college, Campbell received the Bronze Medal at the 2004 Olympic Trials, was the 2005 and 2006 USA Indoor runner-up, won the 2007 Penn Relays and won the 2007 and 2008 USA Indoor Championship.

She currently volunteers as an assistant track coach at the University and works for Sports Doctors Inc. in Myrtle Beach. She earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University in 2004.

To follow Campbell's progress, or to donate to help fund her trip to the Olympics, view her Web site at ambercampbellthrows.blogspot.com.