‘Team Tressel Fitness Challenge’ focuses on students health practices

OHIO — Ohio officials have launched a new challenge for students in grades 4-8 across the state, which will begin near the start of September. 

The “Team Tressel Fitness Challenge” was announced by Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel and Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Director Stephen Dackin and was created to help Ohioans maintain healthier lifestyles.

“We created this challenge, so it’s truly for everyone – from the super athlete to the student who needs an adaptive exercise, from the very active to the less active and everything in between,” said Lt. Gov. Tressel. “We want kids to be excited about living a healthy life. Our goal is to teach them good habits that will shape their behavior, self-image, and overall health and show them how beneficial it is to carry those habits through life.” 

Through the challenge, students will have help in forming healthy habits in fitness, nutrition and sleep through individual goal setting. According to officials, 635 schools have opted into the challenge with more than 160,000.

Challenge Captain Ted Ginn Jr., former Ohio State University and NFL wide receiver, will travel across the state with Tressel to visit schools across the state.

“I wanted to be involved in the challenge because it’s important to show kids early on how simple it can be to live a healthy life. We want to make it easier for kids to see how they can energize their bodies with small changes like water instead of soda or taking a walk every day,” said Ginn Jr. “If we can get a kid, we can get a family and that can create a greater impact across the state.” 

Officials said other former collegiate and professional athletes will take part in the challenge.

Students will work through three levels during the challenge, starting in Bronze and continuing through Silver and Gold. They will select activities in three core areas at each level: Fitness, Nutrition and Sleep. They will be required to set a certain number of goals in each activity category to complete during the number of days at that level. 

(Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel’s office)

The challenge kicks off on Sept. 8 and runs for 90 days. 

“As Ohio kids return to school, the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge will help participating 4th-8th graders build the healthy habits that will help them excel in the classroom,” said Gov. Mike DeWine. “Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel and the former collegiate and professional athletes he has recruited to help will be leaders and role models in coaching Ohio kids to learn more about physical activity, nutrition and sleep, so that they can be at their best in school.”

After completing the levels, students will reflect on their progress, a technique Tressel used when he coached his football players.

“We’re thrilled that so many Ohio schools have joined the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge,” said Dackin. “By setting goals around physical activity, nutrition and sleep, students are building healthy habits that support their well-being, sharpen their focus, and prepare them for success in school and in life. We’re proud to support this effort and look forward to its positive impact across the state.”

Officials said the challenge is designed to be completed by students individually after school, but there is some flexibility for schools who want a more active role. Each school will have a “Challenge Coordinator” who will manage their school’s participation and submit the final achievement levels to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, who will then send completion certificates.

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