The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss Student-Athletes Help "Move Mississippi"
3/26/2014 | Rebel Ready
March 26, 2014
TWITTER: @Rebel_Ready
OXFORD, Miss. - Ole Miss track and field student-athletes recently participated at a "Move Mississippi" event at the O-U Methodist Church. The Move Mississippi initiative was started last year and helps to fight childhood obesity in Mississippi.
The program was created to combat child obesity by educating youth and parents about the benefits of physical fitness and living a healthy lifestyle and featured members from the Ole Miss track and field teams. The program first started in 2012 and featured several fitness clinics out the Oxford area.
"It was great partnering with Allcare Medical Clinic to incorporate our Move Mississippi Initiative to their patients," said Dr. Jamil Northcutt, Ole Miss Assistant Athletic Director for Internal Operations. "We are truly grateful to everyone that participated and for the collaboration we have with our Nutrition and Hospitality Department on campus."
"Move Mississippi" is a component of the Rebels Kids Club and is featured on the new Rebels Kids Club website, rebelkidsclub.com. The interactive site provides fitness and healthy eating tips for the entire family. Children can see how they stack up against other kids as well as their own family members on the site's leader board.
"It was a great opportunity to show the kids in our community the importance of staying healthy," said Ole Miss assistant track and field coach Greg Stringer. "It also reminds our student-athletes of the impact they can have on young people".
Mississippi has the highest rate of childhood obesity in the country. Approximately 40 percent of the state's children are obese and around 74 percent are deemed unfit. The Ole Miss track and field student-athletes enjoyed working with children and teaching them healthy habits.
"The event was very fun for the kids and athletes" said Mary Louise Clawson, who is a member of the Track and Field Team. "I had a great time. Seeing the kids move around with a lot of enthusiasm and energy was very rewarding."
The mission of the Move Mississippi is: To help the children and teens in Mississippi live happier, healthier lives by enjoying the benefits of physical fitness and a well-balanced diet.
Rebel Ready is the hub for a wide range of Ole Miss Athletics sponsored programs designed to meet the needs of student-athletes and their families. It is divided into six areas: Student-Athlete Assistance Services, Career Development, Continuing Education, Community Outreach, Financial Education and Career Transition.
Visit Rebel Ready for more information on Ole Miss' Rebel Ready program.