MANKATO, Minn. – The Mankato MoonDogs, Minnesota Valley Federal Credit Union, and Mankato Area Public Schools Community Education and Recreation partnered again this summer for another successful year of the MoonDogs Fit Program.
Each summer MoonDogs Fit gives MoonDogs players the opportunity to visit ACES locations throughout the Mankato area and step off of the field and into the classroom. Players get the opportunity to teach Mankato’s youth lessons including eating healthy and being physically active are covered as well as important life lessons like how to be a team player and have good sportsmanship. This summer five locations were a part of MoonDogs Fit: Hoover Elementary, Kennedy Elementary, Eagle Lake Elementary, Rosa Parks Elementary, and Garfield Elementary.
The MoonDogs enjoy the Fit program because it gives them the opportunity to interact with kids in the Mankato community in a way they never have before. MoonDogs General Manager, Greg Weis said “the most rewarding thing I saw at the Frank this summer was a kid point at our first baseman on the field and say ‘that’s my favorite MoonDog teacher’ I think that just shows how much on an impact this program has on our community’s kids”
MoonDogs Fit wouldn’t be possible without the support of Minnesota Valley Federal Credit Union. As the presenting sponsor Minnesota Valley provides each child with a free t-shirt and a ticket to a MoonDogs game so they have the opportunity to see their “teachers” on the field.
“My favorite part of the program is to see how excited the children get while learning healthy habits in the process” said Minnesota Valley Federal Credit Union Development Manager Benjamin Suker. “As a community based credit union we recognize the importance of teaching healthy choices in all aspects of life. We’re proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish in the first two years of MoonDogs FIT and are even more excited for some of the things we’re able to do in the coming years.”
The ACES program also sees a benefit from the program. “They really look up to the players and get excited when they know it’s a MoonDogs Fit day. Having the players come out to the sites to work with the children on team work, sportsmanship, and making healthy choices creates a meaningful learning experience for our children. We’re so lucky that we have such a great sponsor in Minnesota Valley Federal Credit Union. Without these partnerships, some ACES children may not have the opportunity to attend a MoonDogs game or meet the MoonDogs players.”
MoonDogs Fit will be back again next summer and if kids wish to be a part of it they should register for the Summer ACES program through Mankato Community Education & Recreation this spring.
Season tickets are on sale now in the MoonDogs ticket office located at 1221 Caledonia St. or by calling (507) 625-7047
“The Mankato MoonDogs are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 22nd season of summer collegiate baseball in 2015, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 120 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Allen Craig (OAK) and Ben Zobrist (TB). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website. For more information, visit http://www.mankatomoondogs.com