In The Community

Phoenix, last stop for “Keep Gym in School” in 2008

Bethune School
Phoenix, Arizona

Bethune School in Phoenix United School District #1 was the site for the latest stop on the ‘Keep Gym in School’ minicamp tour across the country. Students, teachers and guests gathered to announce the plans for the grant and to get kids excited about physical education.

Arizona Cardinals Quarterback Kurt Warner headlined the program that also featured dignitaries including VP for Cox Communications Arizona Ivan Johnson, NFL Network Analyst and Hall of Fame nominee Rod Woodson, and Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon. Mayor Gordon joined with Kurt to recognize the importance of children’s fitness as essential to a child’s total education. Students waved Cardinals’ pennants and NFL Network pom poms while the band played and cheerleaders cheered, all celebrating the $55,000 grant that is going towards field refurbishments, new equipment, and a partial teacher salary to provide morning supervision and structure to ensure students get enough quality physical education.

After the pep rally, the festivities moved out on to the field, where Kurt and Cardinals’ Mascot Big Red stretched the kids out for the In-School Fitness Challenge. Students excitedly rotated through all of the 8 stations, wondering if they would be able to work hard enough to make it to the NFL Draft in April 2009.

Cox Communications, The Arizona Cardinals and Kurt Warner were happy to join with NFL Network’s Keep Gym in School program to get the Bethune Bears excited about a lifetime of fitness.

Congratulations, Bethune School!

The New Orleans Saints help “Keep Gym in School”

Truman Middle School
Marrero, Louisiana

On November 11th,  Truman Middle School became the third school to celebrate a “Keep Gym in School” grant, bringing students, teachers, and guests together to recognize the importance of physical education in America’s schools.

The students packed the gym for an exciting pep rally headlined by the Saint’s all-time leading rusher, Deuce McAllister. With the band playing, dancers dancing, and the students cheering, Deuce joined Cox Director of Public & Government Affairs Brad Grundmeyer, Saints Owner and Executive Vice President Rita Benson LeBlanc, and NFL Network’s Scott Hanson to unveil plans for the $55,000 grant, including a new fitness room, a refurbished football field, and a new cache of physical education equipment.

After the pep rally, students ran to the field, eager to start the In-School Fitness Challenge. Students enjoyed their morning rotating through the eight stations that mix fun and physical activity, encouraging all of the students to get active – not to mention compete for a trip to the 2009 NFL Draft in New York City.

Cox Communications, The New Orleans Saints and Deuce McAllister were happy to join with the NFL Network’s Keep Gym in School program to get the Truman Tigers excited about fitness.

Congratulations, Truman Middle School!

“Keep Gym in School” Comes to Kansas

Jardine Middle School
Wichita, Kansas

NFL Network hosted its second “Keep Gym in School” minicamp event at Jardine Middle School in Wichita on Nov. 7 to celebrate its field refurbishments, new track, and fitness equipment. The band and cheerleading squad got the pep rally started, pumping up the crowd for the big day and welcoming the day’s hosts: NFL Network Analyst and Hall of Fame nominee Rod Woodson and Former Kansas City Chiefs Guard Will Shields. Shields and Woodson joined with Cox General Manager Kimberly Edmunds, School Superintendent Martin Libhart, and Mayor Carl Brewer to get the kids excited about the In-School Fitness Challenge and about staying active and healthy.

With the cheerleaders leading and the band playing, the Jaguars ran through the Keep Gym in School Helmet, taking the field for the In-School Fitness Challenge. Shields led a team stretch and then the kids were off to the eight stations, running, jumping, catching, and throwing for a chance to win a trip to the 2009 NFL Draft

Congratulations, Jardine Middle School!

Presenting the first recipient of a $55,000
“Keep Gym in School” Grant:

Edgar Allen Poe Middle School
Annandale, Virginia

Keep Gym in School got a terrific kick-off at Poe Middle School on Oct. 14. The day started with a pep rally and the unveiling of Poe’s renovated athletic fields and new fitness center, running track, and PE equipment. Poe’s student cheer squad, chorus, band, and drumline got the crowd cheering as students welcomed their special guests: Washington Redskins wide-receiver Antwaan Randle El, NFL Network analyst Solomon Wilcots, Cox Communications General Manager Janet Barnard, and Melissa Johnson, Executive Director of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.

After the pep rally, Randle El led students onto the new fields for a warm-up stretch before kicking off the In-School Fitness Challenge and football drills. Go Poe Middle School Ravens!

Congratulations, Edgar Allen Poe Middle School!