F O R  I M M E D I A T E  R E L E A S E Contact: Irene Villaverde (914) 654-5235

THE COLLEGE OF NEW ROCHELLE AND ESPN
PARTNER TO FIGHT CHILDHOOD OBESITY

NEW ROCHELLE, NY, April 3, 2007 – The College of New Rochelle (CNR) and Team ESPN have partnered in the fight against childhood obesity through ESPN Play Your Way, a youth physical fitness initiative designed to encourage children, ages 7 – 12, to become physically active. On April 14 CNR will host an ESPN Play Your Way training workshop to teach adults and college students how to inspire children to be physically active by teaching them to create their own games and activities with traditional and non-traditional materials. The workshop will take place on:

Workshop attendees will receive start-up guides and complimentary ESPN play materials, including sign up sheets, game trackers, posters and certificates of achievement.

“The percentage of children who are overweight has more than tripled in the past 20 years,” says CNR Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Harold Crocker. “At CNR, we are committed to promoting healthy lifestyles through our wellness programs. Our partnership with ESPN is just one example of that commitment.”  The College will open its new $28 million state-of-the-art Wellness Center during the academic year 2007-08. The 55,000 square foot Wellness Center will house a gymnasium, basketball and volleyball courts, interior running track, and six-lane NCAA competition swimming pool, and a holistic meditation room. 

Team ESPN, the corporate outreach program for ESPN, Inc., introduces multi-faceted outreach programs designed to make a difference in communities. ESPN Play Your Way is one of the initiatives developed in conjunction with Disney Worldwide Outreach.