'Change the Play' kicks off in select schools

Inspiring kids to take charge of their own health just got a bit simpler for a handful of Hoosier teachers.

Recently Andrew Luck, quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts, and Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health introduced their health, fitness and nutrition program—Change the Play—to nearly 30 schools around the state.

Change the Play kicked off in April 2013 with an eight-week challenge that families could tackle at home. Now, it’s rolling out in select classrooms of schoolchildren ages 5 to 14. This pilot program is just the beginning: Change the Play will be made available to all Indiana schools this fall.

For the next eight weeks, students will be encouraged to improve their own physical activity levels while increasing their knowledge of nutrition and good health behaviors. Each weekly challenge is packed with motivational tips and insights from Riley at IU Health physicians, dietitians, sports performance coaches and Luck himself.

Challenge topics range from teaching the importance of staying hydrated and building strength to developing coping skills for dealing with everyday stress.

“Our aim is to give kids a fun, motivating game plan for healthy living that they can build upon throughout their lives,” said Dr. Jeff Sperring, Riley at IU Health president and CEO. “Because health and education are so strongly linked, schools will be vital partners in this effort.”

Upon completion of all eight weekly challenges, 20 students from each participating school district will be invited to Indianapolis for an action-packed Field Day celebration, hosted by Luck and Riley at IU Health. The April event will take place on the very field where Luck and his Colts teammates practice. Hundreds of kids are expected to attend.

“This is an incredible opportunity for our students to learn how to put their health first from one of the state’s most magnetic role models,” said Emily Pelino, executive director of KIPP Indy College Prep Public Schools. “And given our focus on college, it doesn’t hurt that Andrew Luck is a Stanford grad.”

Change the Play, a minimum four-year partnership, will continue advancing its mission in 2014, through sports performance camps led by Luck and with fresh challenges in the fall.

Schools participating in the pilot program include: