Louisville Promotes Health and Fitness Through Louie's Fit Friends
December 17, 2015 | General, Beyond the Buzzer
Student-athletes work with seven local elementary schools through Louie's Fit Friends
During the fall semester, UofL Athletics introduced an incentivized fitness program, Louie's Fit Friends, to seven local elementary schools: Bowen, Buckner, J.B. Atkinson, King, Mill Creek, Phillis Wheatley and Rangeland. The program strives to foster the interest of elementary-aged students in team sports and physical activity by using local role models to demonstrate how easy and fun it is to be physically active. Student-athletes from men's basketball, football, lacrosse, cheer and track and field connected with the students from each of the participating schools.
During the two-week program, student-athletes wen to each of the schools and introduced the program by educating the children on why it is important to exercise and live a healthy lifestyle. After speaking on nutrition and the importance of staying active, it was time to be active. The Cardinals engaged the kids with relay races, calisthenics and body weight activities. After the kick-off visit, the elementary students received a time log worksheet to record all physical activity over a two-week period with the goal of averaging 30 minutes of activity per day. Each child who fulfilled the activity requirement earned a complimentary ticket to the women's basketball game versus Valparaiso.
Football student-athlete, Devontre Parnell, who contributed a lot of time to Louie's Fit Friends, greatly enjoyed participating in the program and found it very rewarding to give back to the local youth. "The students will always remember the impact we have in their lives. I loved getting the opportunity to influence as many students as possible."
"Louisville Athletics wanted to find a way to encourage kids to be active after school and not just sit indoors in front of the television," said Community Relations assistant Monica Negron, who coordinated the program in its inaugural year. "Louie's Fit Friends is part of our CardsCare Community Outreach Program and a way for our student-athletes to share their passion for health and physical fitness with local elementary school kids."
To check out the UofL student-athletes on their school visits, go to the LCARE Flickr page: Louie's Fit Friends
Want to keep track of what student-athletes are doing in the community? Follow us on twitter: @LouisvilleLCARE
During the two-week program, student-athletes wen to each of the schools and introduced the program by educating the children on why it is important to exercise and live a healthy lifestyle. After speaking on nutrition and the importance of staying active, it was time to be active. The Cardinals engaged the kids with relay races, calisthenics and body weight activities. After the kick-off visit, the elementary students received a time log worksheet to record all physical activity over a two-week period with the goal of averaging 30 minutes of activity per day. Each child who fulfilled the activity requirement earned a complimentary ticket to the women's basketball game versus Valparaiso.
Football student-athlete, Devontre Parnell, who contributed a lot of time to Louie's Fit Friends, greatly enjoyed participating in the program and found it very rewarding to give back to the local youth. "The students will always remember the impact we have in their lives. I loved getting the opportunity to influence as many students as possible."
"Louisville Athletics wanted to find a way to encourage kids to be active after school and not just sit indoors in front of the television," said Community Relations assistant Monica Negron, who coordinated the program in its inaugural year. "Louie's Fit Friends is part of our CardsCare Community Outreach Program and a way for our student-athletes to share their passion for health and physical fitness with local elementary school kids."
To check out the UofL student-athletes on their school visits, go to the LCARE Flickr page: Louie's Fit Friends
Want to keep track of what student-athletes are doing in the community? Follow us on twitter: @LouisvilleLCARE
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