Circleville, OH - Ohio Christian University Athletics has partnered with the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge to help encourage Ohio students to build healthy habits, set meaningful goals and recognize what they can accomplish through consistent effort.
The Team Tressel Fitness Challenge is led by Ohio Lt. Governor Jim Tressel, a longtime educator and former football coach whose work has emphasized goal setting, discipline, teamwork, and helping young people reach their full potential.
"Ohio's colleges and universities aren't just developing student-athletes, they are developing leaders. These student-athletes have an opportunity to make a difference in their communities by giving Ohio's young people memories, encouragement, and advice they can carry with them for a lifetime. We are grateful to have Ohio Christian University on Team Tressel and part of this statewide movement to inspire Ohio's next generation," said Ohio Lt. Governor Jim Tressel.
The challenge is a free statewide program designed for students in grades 3-8, providing educators with resources to help students develop healthy habits while setting and working toward personal goals. The third round of the challenge runs from August 31 through December 4, with nearly 650,000 students and more than 2,100 school across all 88 Ohio counties.
As part of the partnership, current OCU student-athletes have the opportunity to serve as mentors and positive role models for students in schools in or near Pickaway county. This allows student-athletes to visit schools, lead activities, encourage students and share how goal setting, discipline and hard work have contributed to their own success.
On Tuesday morning, OCU's men's and women's basketball teams recently participated in the challenge at Bloom Carroll Elementary School, with Lt. Governor Jim Tressel and Team Tressel representatives for a morning focused on physical activity, healthy choices and personal growth.
During the assembly, OCU student-athletes helped lead students through exercises and encouraged them to stay active. The challenge incorporates activities focused on cardio, strength, flexibility, nutrition, sleep, and mental and emotional well-being.
Kiley Wray, a member of the OCU women's basketball team, said the experience provided an opportunity to see the impact of encouraging students to develop healthy habits.
"I had an amazing time helping with the Jim Tressel Fitness Challenge Tuesday Morning! I had the opportunity to meet former Ohio State football players Braxton Miller and Drew Basil, former Ohio State softball player Melissa Basil, and Lt. Governor Jim Tressel. My teammates and I, along with the men's basketball team, got to assist in leading some exercises during the assembly. It was so cool to watch the students get excited about building healthy habits and maintaining good nutrition. Thank you, Governor Tressel!" Wray said.
Through its partnership, Ohio Christian Athletics joins colleges and universities across the state in using the influence of student-athletes to encourage the next generation and promote healthy habits within local communities.
