Northwestern University Athletics
Fuel Up To Play 60: Wildcats And Bears Promote Healthy Eating Habits
5/2/2017 10:04:00 AM | 'Cats Give Back
By Jocelyn Vinoya Serranilla
MOUNT PROSPECT, Ill. -- Wildcats and Bears, oh my! But what a day and what a treat for school children in suburban River Trails Middle School in Mt. Prospect for Wildcats and Bears to show up at the same time at their gymnasium for Fuel Up To Play 60 assembly.
Graham Bullmore and Mason Weissenhofer of the Northwestern Wildcats football team, and Prince Amukamara, Chicago Bears cornerback, graced the school's FUTP60 assembly on Friday, April 28, for a day of jazzercise, Crossfit, swing dance, drums, with extra emphasis on nutritious food, dairy, veggies and fruits, and healthy food choices.
The three football players echoed the FUTP60 theme throughout the day as they took turns speaking at the podium, encouraging the kids to fuel their bodies well with healthy food, to sustain daily exercise, to eat healthy, play outdoors, stay active to live a long, healthy life. "Let me share with you the 80-20 rule we do at Northwestern," Bullmore said as he explained his diet of good proteins, milk, veggies and fruits 80 percent of his meals, and all the healthy food to support the body with strength training and regular exercise. "Then, you can indulge in your favorite ice cream."
"Do it for your body, your health, your brain. You'll be getting good grades if you have good nutrients and better fuel for your brain," said Wildcats placekicker Weissenhofer. Bullmore, being a mountain of a man at 6-foot-7, 295 lbs., was a magnet to kids as they milled around and chatted with him after the assembly. Like Bullmore and Mason, Northwestern Wildcats student-athletes visit on a regular basis and are familiar faces at RTMS for FUTP60.
Newly signed Chicago Bears cornerback Prince Amukamara delighted the RTMS school children, staff and administrators as he flashed his diamond-studded Super Bowl championship ring from Super Bowl XLVI in 2012 when he played for the New York Giants, beating the New England Patriots, 21-17. Oohs and aahs echoed throughout the gymnasium as Amukamara announced he was letting everyone try it on. And sure enough, the Super Bowl ring, adorned with four marquis-cut football-shaped diamonds, made its way around the gym to the star-struck audience.
The RTMS and Northwestern University Athletics partnership to curb childhood obesity dates back to six years ago when NU's basketball standout and NCAA three-point shootout champion John Shurna helped the school kick off its inaugural Fuel Up To Play 60 assembly.
Northwestern is noted as the first college or university in the U.S. to support the NFL's FUTP60 program as an active partner, through its 'Cats Give Back program led by Assistant Director of Athletics Maureen Palchak. Wildcats student-athletes visit Chicagoland elementary schools on an ongoing basis to actively promote the importance of healthy food choices and exercise.
Northwestern University Athletics, with local support from the Midwest Dairy Council and the Chicago Bears, promote Fuel Up To Play 60 as an in-school wellness program that promotes among school children healthy choices of nutrient-rich foods, including low-fat and fat-free dairy, fruits, vegetables and whole grains and to be active for at least 60 minutes a day. The National Dairy Council and the National Football League (NFL), with support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, launched the program to help prevent childhood obesity.
MOUNT PROSPECT, Ill. -- Wildcats and Bears, oh my! But what a day and what a treat for school children in suburban River Trails Middle School in Mt. Prospect for Wildcats and Bears to show up at the same time at their gymnasium for Fuel Up To Play 60 assembly.
Graham Bullmore and Mason Weissenhofer of the Northwestern Wildcats football team, and Prince Amukamara, Chicago Bears cornerback, graced the school's FUTP60 assembly on Friday, April 28, for a day of jazzercise, Crossfit, swing dance, drums, with extra emphasis on nutritious food, dairy, veggies and fruits, and healthy food choices.
The three football players echoed the FUTP60 theme throughout the day as they took turns speaking at the podium, encouraging the kids to fuel their bodies well with healthy food, to sustain daily exercise, to eat healthy, play outdoors, stay active to live a long, healthy life. "Let me share with you the 80-20 rule we do at Northwestern," Bullmore said as he explained his diet of good proteins, milk, veggies and fruits 80 percent of his meals, and all the healthy food to support the body with strength training and regular exercise. "Then, you can indulge in your favorite ice cream."
"Do it for your body, your health, your brain. You'll be getting good grades if you have good nutrients and better fuel for your brain," said Wildcats placekicker Weissenhofer. Bullmore, being a mountain of a man at 6-foot-7, 295 lbs., was a magnet to kids as they milled around and chatted with him after the assembly. Like Bullmore and Mason, Northwestern Wildcats student-athletes visit on a regular basis and are familiar faces at RTMS for FUTP60.
Newly signed Chicago Bears cornerback Prince Amukamara delighted the RTMS school children, staff and administrators as he flashed his diamond-studded Super Bowl championship ring from Super Bowl XLVI in 2012 when he played for the New York Giants, beating the New England Patriots, 21-17. Oohs and aahs echoed throughout the gymnasium as Amukamara announced he was letting everyone try it on. And sure enough, the Super Bowl ring, adorned with four marquis-cut football-shaped diamonds, made its way around the gym to the star-struck audience.
The RTMS and Northwestern University Athletics partnership to curb childhood obesity dates back to six years ago when NU's basketball standout and NCAA three-point shootout champion John Shurna helped the school kick off its inaugural Fuel Up To Play 60 assembly.
Northwestern is noted as the first college or university in the U.S. to support the NFL's FUTP60 program as an active partner, through its 'Cats Give Back program led by Assistant Director of Athletics Maureen Palchak. Wildcats student-athletes visit Chicagoland elementary schools on an ongoing basis to actively promote the importance of healthy food choices and exercise.
Northwestern University Athletics, with local support from the Midwest Dairy Council and the Chicago Bears, promote Fuel Up To Play 60 as an in-school wellness program that promotes among school children healthy choices of nutrient-rich foods, including low-fat and fat-free dairy, fruits, vegetables and whole grains and to be active for at least 60 minutes a day. The National Dairy Council and the National Football League (NFL), with support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, launched the program to help prevent childhood obesity.
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