Kansas Men's Basketball Participates in Fun and Fitness at Lawrence Area Elementary Schools

April 16, 2009

University of Kansas men’s basketball players participated in Monday morning gym classes across Lawrence promoting Fun and Fitness at area elementary schools.

Jayhawks Marcus Morris and Travis Releford participated in gym classes at Hillcrest Elementary, while Tyshawn Taylor, Markieff Morris and Tyrel Reed visited Sunflower Elementary. Brennan Bechard and Mario Little assisted gym classes at Wakarusa Valley Elementary as well.

“It’s important for us as role models to take advantage of any opportunity you have to talk to younger kids, especially about being healthy and trying stay fit,” Bechard said.

Fun and Fitness supports the Lawrence school district’s wellness initiative by providing student-athletes the opportunity to motivate young 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.”