Orioles launch Health & Fitness Challenge program with Sarasota County schools

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  Josh Land

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  January 20, 2016 10:56 am

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O’s EVP @JohnPAngelos, @1brianroberts & more discuss the O’s Health & Fitness Challenge program w/ @sarasotaschools. https://t.co/imlQcWbK1w
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) January 20, 2016

While opening day in Birdland is still a few months away, opening day for the Orioles Health & Fitness Challenge kicked off Tuesday, Jan. 19 in Sarasota, Fla. The new program, developed in partnership with Health Fit – Powered by Sarasota Memorial Hospital, helps motivate middle school-aged…

While opening day in Birdland is still a few months away, opening day for the Orioles Health & Fitness Challenge kicked off Tuesday, Jan. 19 in Sarasota, Fla. The new program, developed in partnership with Health Fit – Powered by Sarasota Memorial Hospital, helps motivate middle school-aged children to live healthier lives.

The six-week program kicked off at McIntosh Middle School, with Orioles executive vice president John Angelos, former Orioles All-Star second baseman Brian Roberts and, of course, the Oriole Bird! The program will be offered in nine Sarasota County schools for approximately 4,000 middle school students.

“The Orioles Health & Fitness Challenge offers students from Sarasota County Schools a unique opportunity to learn how to eat, train, and live like world-class athletes,” Angelos said. “Through a variety of community outreach initiatives in Sarasota County and in the mid-Atlantic region, the Orioles promote active lifestyles and healthy choices. We are committed to investing in the long-term health and habits of future generations through the excitement of Orioles baseball.”

During the challenge, students have the opportunity to participate in various fitness challenges that will help them become stronger, more flexible and faster while building endurance and increasing balance. In addition, the Orioles Health & Fitness Challenge includes a healthy eating goal.

The program will be presented during regular school hours, and there are many Orioles baseball-related incentives tied to it. For each week they complete the challenge, students will receive an O’s-themed prize. Those who complete the entire challenge will earn two complimentary tickets to a 2016 Orioles spring training game and vouchers for free concessions at the “Orioles Fit!” healthy food stand at Ed Smith Stadium.

The Health & Fitness Challenge is one initiative of Sarasota 365, a program that demonstrates the Orioles and OriolesREACH’s year-round engagement and involvement with the greater Sarasota community.

For more information and to see the program in action, check out the video from the Herald-Tribune and the photos below.