02/17/03 RiverHawks Press Release

     In a partnership with the Knox County School System and Knox County Health Department announced today, the Tennessee RiverHawks are implementing a program to address the mounting danger of obesity in America’s youth.  As Knoxville’s Indoor Football team, the organization is providing a platform to initiate a program that is infinitely more important than football: leading children to a healthier life.

           The Healthy Goals Youth Fitness Program is targeted toward elementary school children (grades K-5).  The program objective is to provide children with quality nutrition and fitness education through weekly interaction with professional athletes.  Approximately 2,200 students, in six Knox County Schools, will interact with RiverHawks players and LadyHawks dance team members in physical education classes and on the indoor football field.

      On the first visit to the classroom, each student will be asked to sign a “promise” with the RiverHawks.  Students will state that they will make his/her best effort to comply with certain minimal nutrition and exercise. Students will participate in activities during physical education classes testing flexibility, upper body strength, cardiovascular endurance, and abdominal strength.  Nutrition lessons will also be conducted by Knox County and Health Department nutritionists focusing on fruits and vegetables and “Learning to Eat 5-A-Day.”

      For more information on the Healthy Goals program, please contact the Tennessee RiverHawks at 637-2000