Photo by Warren Scott Ohio Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel draws on his many years of coaching experience Tuesday while encouraging youth at Indian Creek Middle School to engage in a new fitness program he and Gov. Mike DeWine are launching in 635 schools across the Buckeye State. Tressel draws on coaching background to promote fitness

MINGO JUNCTION — It’s been about 14 years since Jim Tressel hung up his coaching cap, but he’s drawn on his more than 30 years of experience in that capacity to offer instruction and encouragement to more than 160,000 fourth- through eighth-graders throughout Ohio.

As lieutenant governor of the Buckeye State, Tressel has teamed with Gov. Mike DeWine to launch the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge, a self-paced program they hope will prompt youth to adopt healthy habits where exercise, nutrition and sleep are concerned.

“The healthier we are, the better we’ll perform, the better we’ll feel about ourselves,” he told the many pupils assembled in the Indian Creek Middle School gym Tuesday morning.

The school is one of 635 in which Tressel has initiated the program with support from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce and was one of several stops in a statewide tour to promote it.

He was joined by Stephen Dackin, director of the Department of Education and Workforce, who said they expect to reach more than 160,000 pupils attending the first round of schools, with another round planned for after December.

Tressel was accompanied by Ted Ginn Jr., a former NFL wide receiver and one of several former Ohio State University athletes recruited by the former OSU and Youngstown State University coach — and YSU president — to lend voices to the endeavor.

Ginn led four volunteers from the student body in demonstrating jumping jacks, push-ups and other exercises for their peers.

But Tressel stressed exercise can take many forms, including bicycling, swimming or skateboarding.

He said the range of activities suggested by workbooks to be distributed to the pupils include those that apply to beginners and those who are physically handicapped.

Tressel said the program is designed to be self-paced, with participants encouraged to set a certain number of goals for themselves within given time periods designated Bronze, Silver and Gold during a 90-day period that starts Sept. 8.

“We’re competing against ourselves, to be the best version of ourselves we can be,” he told his young audience.

Tressel stressed the importance of good nutrition and adequate sleep.

“We’ve got to make sure we put the right things in our bodies,” he said, noting a healthy menu includes fruits, vegetables and whole-grain foods.

Tressel told the youth they should make time in their schedules for sufficient sleep, being sure to avoid screen time at least an hour before they lie down.

“You will be amazed at how much better you will do with your schoolwork,” he said, adding they also will find themselves in a better mood.

Tressel said as a coach, he encouraged his team members to take time for quiet reflection, and he’s incorporated that principle into the program.

He asked the youth to adopt an “attitude of gratitude” by considering the things for which they are thankful.

“It’s really healthy to challenge yourself and think about how fortunate you are,” Tressel advised.

“I promise you, you’ll feel better, you’ll do better, you’ll be better.”

Assistant Principal Todd Herman said the program will be incorporated into the school’s Leader in Me program and pairs of peers will meet on a weekly basis to encourage continued participation.

Tressel has encouraged students to post videos of their activities on the Team Tressel YouTube channel.

Herman said the school’s media club, the School Lighthouse Team, could post photos of the efforts.

He said the program takes a positive approach to promoting fitness.

“I think it’s key that it includes different ability levels so no matter where a student is (physically), they can set their own goals and be successful,” said Herman.