Kansas Men's Basketball Visits Local Elementary Schools for Fun & Fitness
April 9, 2010
LAWRENCE, Kan. — University of Kansas men’s basketball players have been participating in physical education classes across Lawrence, promoting Fun and Fitness at area elementary schools.
Fun and Fitness with the Jayhawks supports the Lawrence school district’s wellness initiative by providing student-athletes the opportunity to motivate elementary students to exercise and eat well during regular visits to elementary classrooms throughout the Lawrence community. The students receive a brochure with diet and exercise tips. The children can also use the brochure to track their weekly activity with the “Fun and Fitness Log.” In pledging to eat healthy foods and exercise 30 minutes a day, students also get the autograph of their student-athlete “captain” to help support them in striving for making healthy choices.
On Friday April 9, junior guard Chase Buford and junior guard, Tyrel Reed kicked off the week of Fun and Fitness at Hillcrest Elementary School, where the entire second grade was waiting for them in the gym.
“I think anymore in this day and age fitness goes unnoticed,” Reed said. “With all the video games and everything out there, kids forget about playing outside and doing healthy things. I think it is good to talk to little kids about the importance of being healthy.”
Buford and Reed both started the day by giving a speech about eating healthy and being active and then the fun came. Both KU basketball players showed off their hula-hoop skills as well as their jump-rope abilities in a gym full of activities and excited second graders.
“Some of the stations were pretty fun today in the gym,” Buford said. “I dominated the hula-hoop and Tyrel (Reed) wasn’t so efficient on it. It is fun just to be out there with all the little kids. When you are around so many kids, it is hard not to have a good time.”
One teacher at Hillcrest Elementary School even commented, ‘This event went just beautifully. The kids really enjoyed it”
Fun and Fitness will continue on Monday, April 12 when, junior guard Brady Morningstar, freshman center Jeff Withey and freshman guard Xavier Henry will also make a visit to Hillcrest Elementary.
The weeks’ events come to a close on Wednesday, April 14 when sophomore center Markieff Morris, sophomore forward Marcus Morris, sophomore guard Tyshawn Taylor and sophomore guard Travis Releford will make a trip over to Sunflower Elementary School.
