Sept. 5, 2014 DENVER - University of Denver men's basketball players were on handto launch the third year of the 5th Gear Kids program. Seniors Brett Olson (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) and Cam Griffin (San Antonio, Texas) greeted an estimated 500-800 fifth-graders and their families during the kickoff for Aurora Public Schools at Columbia Middle School. The DU student-athletes joined other sponsors and exhibitors at the event, which showcased the community's support of healthy choices for youth.
Pioneer student-athletes interacted with the kids passing out DU promotional materials, talking to them about the upcoming season and promoting healthy life choices.
5th Gear Kids is a local nonprofit focused on helping fifth-graders understand the importance of physical activity and nutrition in their lives. The 5th Gear Kids mission is to "Engage and empower fifth-graders to make healthy decisions regarding food and physical activity through understanding energy balance." Energy balance is the amount of energy consumed compared to the amount of energy used; the goal is to have normal growth without excessive weight gain.
The 2014-15 academic year will be the third-consecutive for the Division of Athletics and Recreation as a supporter of the initiative. Last year, fifth-graders and their families were invited to men's and women's basketball games.
Fans who are interested in men's basketball season tickets for the 2014-15 campaign please call the Pioneer Basketball Ticket Hotline at (303) 871-HOOP.
Individual game tickets will go on sale in October with prices starting at $9 for adults, while group ticket prices start as low as $4. DU students get into the game free with their Pioneer Card.
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