Mankato, MN – As the 2015 MoonDogs season came to a close, it also marked the third year of another successful summer 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.
In 2013, the MoonDogs and Mankato Area Public Schools Community Education and Recreation partnered up with Minnesota Valley Federal Credit Union to develop the MoonDogs FIT Program. ACES is kindergarten through seventh grade, summer program for children in District 77. Players get the opportunity to teach Mankato’s youth lessons including eating healthy and being physically active as well as important life lessons including how to be a team player and have good sportsmanship. This summer seven locations were a part of MoonDogs FIT: Hoover Elementary, Kennedy Elementary, Eagle Lake Elementary, Rosa Parks Elementary, Monroe Elementary, Franklin Elementary, and Roosevelt Elementary.
There were several lessons over the summer. One was about healthy eating and making better food choices. Students and players talked about “My Plate”, portions and meal sizes, and talked about why eating healthy is important and can impact many aspects in one’s life. The second lesson was on being a team player and how to be a part of a team. Games were played to help the students learn and develop their teamwork abilities. Finally, the third lesson was about overall fitness and being physically active.
On August 5 at Franklin Rogers Park was the MoonDogs FIT wrap up where hundreds of Mankato Area youth attended the MoonDogs game to see their “teachers” in action. “This year’s game was an overwhelming success”, said General Manager Greg Weis. “We had the largest turnout ever for a MoonDogs FIT game.” MoonDogs FIT wouldn’t be possible without the support of Minnesota Valley Federal Credit Union. As the presenting sponsor Minnesota Valley providesd 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.
For three years, Andrea Greenwald has seen the success of the program as the ACES Program Coordinator. She says, “The MoonDog's FIT program had another successful summer promoting healthy lifestyles for children in the Mankato Area Public School's, ACES Program. The students always enjoy getting to know the MoonDog players and listening to the lessons they brought to the ACES Program each week! They especially loved the opportunity to attend a MoonDog's game for free provided by our sponsor, Minnesota Valley Federal Credit Union.”
Development Manager, Ben Suker of Minnesota Valley Federal Credit Union was once again thrilled by the success of the the MoonDogs FIT Program. He quotes, “This year Minnesota Valley Federal Credit Union had the opportunity to teach our own lesson on wise financial habits and continue to be impressed with the value the MoonDogs FIT Program provides to the students. You can see the excitement on the students face when they talk about their interactions with the MoonDogs. It’s so rewarding to see the FIT program making such a positive impact on the youth in our community, we’re proud to partner with the MoonDogs and ACES to provide these experiences."
“On behalf of the MoonDogs, ACES Program, and Minnesota Valley Federal Credit Union, we wish the kids a great week back at school! We can’t wait to see them next summer in making more memories with so many great organizations,” says MoonDogs General Manager, Greg Weis.
“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), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (OAK). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website." – See more at: http://northwoodsleague.com/mankato-moondogs/2015/08/13/2015-moondogs-mlb-draft-update/#sthash.Mg65ZmTO.dpuf – See more at: http://northwoodsleague.com/mankato-moondogs/2015/08/25/movies-in-the-park-summer-wrap-up-event/#sthash.H95ptn8g.dpuf – See more at: http://northwoodsleague.com/mankato-moondogs/2015/08/27/rain-delay-for-movies-in-the-park/#sthash.Dwey0jBB.dpuf – See more at: http://northwoodsleague.com/mankato-moondogs/2015/09/02/moondogs-field-manager-accepts-promotion/#sthash.8vIDlIay.dpuf
