By: Andy Klotz—
Muncie, Ind. – A new $100,000 DON’T QUIT! Fitness Center is coming to Southside Middle School this fall. The school is one of just three across Indiana receiving the state-of-the-art equipment as a gift from The National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils (NFGFC), chaired by fitness icon Jake Steinfeld, and in partnership with Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb.
“This is fabulous!” Muncie Community Schools Director of Public Education and CEO Lee Ann Kwiatkowski said. “Health and fitness is tremendously important for the overall well-being of our students, and this incredible gift will have a positive impact on thousands of children for years to come.”
The new equipment, which includes cardio and strength-training machines from TuffStuff Fitness, will be the mainstay of the school’s physical education program. All DON’T QUIT! Fitness Centers are financed through public/private partnerships with companies like The Coca-Cola Company, Anthem Foundation, Wheels Up and Nike, and do not rely on taxpayer dollars or state funding.
“Keeping Hoosier students focused on fitness and healthy living is key to letting them grow up and live fulfilling lives,” Gov. Holcomb said. “Wellness in all aspects is more important now than ever and we’re thankful to Jake for bringing the DON’T QUIT! Campaign to our state.”
The other Indiana schools receiving new fitness centers are Perry Meridian Middle School in Indianapolis and Martin T. Krueger Middle School in Michigan City. Each school had to submit an application meeting the NFGFC’s criteria that demonstrated leadership in getting and keeping students fit. Southside’s application included this video, which was produced with the help of Ball State University.
An unveiling of the new fitness center will be held in the fall, pending the status COVID-19 health regulations.
For more information about the NFGFC, please visit natgovfit.org.
About Muncie Community Schools
Serving the local community since 1855, Muncie Community Schools (MCS) educates more than 5,000 students at six elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school while also managing several other educational facilities. Through its unique partnership with Ball State University, MCS strives to maximize each student’s potential so he or she can be a positive, productive member of society. Find out more about MCS or Director of Public Education and CEO Lee Ann Kwiatkowski at muncie.k12.in.us.
About The National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils
The National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils (NFGFC) seeks to encourage and reward innovation in the field of youth fitness by awarding fitness centers to schools that use new and unique methods to promote student physical activity and wellness. The NFGFC envisions a fitness center in every school in the U.S., helping to build a nation that—through innovation and a “DON’T QUIT!” attitude—boasts the fittest kids in the world. Since 2012, the NFGFC has delivered fitness centers in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C., Georgia, New Jersey, Delaware, West Virginia, California, New Mexico, Connecticut, Virginia, Illinois, Arkansas, Florida, Texas, Ohio, Washington, Wisconsin, Arizona, Maryland, Louisiana, Oregon, Colorado, Kansas, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Rhode Island, Missouri, Michigan and Minnesota. In 2020, we are gifting fitness centers to four more states including Alabama, Oklahoma, Kentucky and Indiana.
