CHICAGO -- The Chicago Bulls unveiled the first of 25 new fitness centers for children at a ribbon-cutting ceremony last week.
Bulls players Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah represented the NBA basketball team at the opening of what will be 25 EnergizaBulls Fitness Centers in Chicago Public Schools by the 2011-12 school year. Mayor Richard M. Daley also was on hand at the ceremony at Morton School of Excellence, a YMCA Community School, on Chicago’s west side.
Each EnergizaBulls center will have Bulls colors (red and black), photos and branding throughout the rooms. Fitness equipment will include elliptical machines, Nintendo Wii’s and stationary bikes.
The Bulls are collaborating with the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago. The YMCA will track student’s daily activity, monitor their progress and help them reach the recommended level of activity.
In 2009, the Bulls’ charity organization, CharitaBulls, was chosen as one of the recipients of the Carol M. White Physical Education Program grants from the U.S. Department of Education. CharitaBulls was awarded approximately $1.475 million to help enhance physical education programs within Chicago Public Schools.
Additional funding and support for the centers will come from local companies such as Direct Fitness Solutions and Motion Fitness.