LBJ Joins Surgeon General to Launch NikeGO Program in Akron

Students at Akron's Margaret Park Elementary School enjoyed the thrill of a lifetime as NBA player and local Akron resident, LeBron James joined U.S. Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona to launch a new NikeGO initiative called PE2GO. Akron Mayor Donald L. Plusquellic and Akron School Superintendent Sylvester Small were on hand to support the launch.

The team of supporters led by LeBron James and the Surgeon General helped to unload two truckloads of Nike equipment and then rolled up their sleeves to run 4th and 5th grade students through PE2GO classes.

“I want to do something special for the kids in Akron and help them to experience the same opportunities I did to discover the athlete inside them,” said Mr. James. “When I first visited Nike, I heard about the NikeGO program and what it's doing for kids around the country. I knew then I wanted to be involved with this program personally and bring it to my hometown of Akron,” said Mr. James.

Through the launch of PE2GO in Akron, the program, including teacher training, specialized P.E. curriculum and equipment, will be offered in 23 schools in Akron. In addition, 5 basketball courts will be refurbished, including three outdoor courts and two indoor courts.

“We have an epidemic of obesity in the United States and it's only getting worse. We are seeing Generation Y grow into Generation XL, and this weight gain has long-term health consequences. Kids need to be more physically active — whether it's playing hoops, hopscotch, or hide-and-go-seek,” U.S. Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona said.

“By providing schools with equipment, gear, and expertise to help increase children's access to fun and stimulating activities, Nike and other corporations provide a fundamental link to improving children's overall health. By partnering with parents, schools, teachers, corporations and other organizations in this way we are giving our kids the tools and education to live longer, healthier lives.”

“We're excited to have LeBron be part of such an important program,” said Molly White, Nike's Director of Community Affairs. “LeBron has generously helped fund the programs and court refurbishments in Akron and with his help, NikeGO's PE2GO program will get more than 1,300 fourth and fifth graders in the seven pilot cities across the country moving this year.”

Nike committed more than $10 million last year in cash and products to the inaugural NikeGO program and will match the amount in this current year through programs such as PE2GO.

PE2GO is a joint venture between Nike and The SPARK Programs of San Diego State University, which stands for “Sports, Play and Active Recreation for Kids.” The program is designed to get kids moving and more physically active to help to reverse the trend of childhood inactivity in America.

The event in Akron marked PE2GO's debut, which is set to expand to Chicago, Los Angeles, Memphis, New York, Washington D.C. and Portland, Ore. later this year. Nike and SPARK believe PE2GO is a positive interim step toward the long-term goal of reinstating full-time P.E., taught by P.E. specialists, in every school across the country.

Dignitaries from Akron's political and education communities added their support by attending the event and working with the children. Mayor Plusquellic and School Superintendent Sylvester Small each worked with groups of children to run through the PE2GO curriculum.

“Akron has been a great supporter of LeBron James and his family,” said Mayor Plusquellic. “It is great to see LeBron personally commit his time and resources to giving back to help the youth of Akron.”

“Today's event sends a message to our kids about how important it is to stay healthy and fit,” said Superintendent Sylvester Small. “Our children are truly the beneficiaries of a wonderful gift, and I expect that lives will be changed because of it.”

“Our research has shown that school-based P.E. programs are one of the most effective ways to facilitate activity in youth,” said SPARK Executive Director and curriculum author Paul Rosengard. “But in recent years some schools have undergone severe budget cuts that have eliminated many of the classes that could make a difference.”

Recent statistical data supports the need for increasing, not cutting, physical education classes in America. Children today are expected to have shorter life expectancies than their parents due to inactivity and diet. According to the CDC, one out of three kids born in the year 2000 are anticipated to contract Type II diabetes unless their diets and levels of activity change significantly. Overweight adolescents have an 80 percent chance of becoming overweight or obese adults.

NikeGO is Nike's signature U.S. community affairs initiative and the company's long-term commitment to getting kids more physically active. The program's mission is to increase physical activity in youth ages 8-15, offering them the support and motivation to become physically active, stay healthy and have fun. Visit www.nikego.com for additional information.