MEMPHIS, January 21, 2013 -- The Grizzlies will host their Healthy Home Court Week from Tuesday, Jan. 22- Friday, Feb. 1. Healthy Home Court Week will coincide with the 2013 NBA FIT Live Healthy Week featuring all 30 NBA teams and players joining community members and partners to highlight the importance of living an active, healthy lifestyle through grassroots programs and events, special on-court apparel, and in-arena and online programming. As a part of this initiative, players will wear special adidas NBA FIT shooting shirts throughout the week. The shooting shirts will be available at NBAStore.com.
The Grizzlies Healthy Home Court Week will tip-off Tuesday, Jan. 22 at the University of Memphis Lab (495 Zach Curlin St., Memphis 38152), where four families from different communities across Memphis will begin a three month journey to a healthier, more active life. Grizzlies forward Darrell Arthur will make an appearance at 10 a.m. to encourage the families on their journey.
On Thursday, Jan. 24, the Grizzlies will hold a fitness assembly at Bellevue Baptist Church (2000 Appling Rd., Memphis 38104) at 5:30 p.m. The assembly, hosted by Memphis Grizzlies’ forward Marreese Speights and guard Tony Wroten will engage 40-50 children from the surrounding community in various fitness activities to demonstrate that being healthy can be fun.
The week will continue Sunday, Jan. 27 at 2 p.m. as over 150 children from the Memphis-area will march in the First Annual Memphis Grizzlies Dribble Parade, prior to the 5 p.m. match-up vs. the New Orleans Hornets at FedExForum. The parade of children, led by Mayor A.C. Wharton and the Grizzlies Drumline, will dribble basketballs across historic Beale St. and through downtown Memphis before finishing at the FedExForum Plaza, as part of the “Let’s Move” campaign. A portion of the participant’s entry fees will be donated to support Youth United Way of the Mid-South.
The Lady Bears, comprised of women who play a significant role in the lives of Grizzlies players, coaches and basketball operations staff, will be heading over to the Salvation Army (696 Jackson Ave, Memphis 38105) on Monday, Jan. 28 to host a fitness assembly for families at the Purdue Center of Hope.
The Healthy Home Court Week will conclude on Thursday, Jan. 31 when the Grizzlies head to St. Augustine’s Jubilee School (1169 Kerr Ave. Memphis 38106) to hold a fitness assembly at 1:30 p.m. The assembly, hosted by Grizz, will engage 40-50 students in various fitness activities to demonstrate that being healthy can be fun.
Not only are the Memphis Grizzlies encouraging a healthy lifestyle in the surrounding community, but also within the organization itself. The Grizzlies have established a Wellness Committee, made up of staff members from each department, that encourage their co-workers to get fit and healthy. The Grizzlies have provided healthier food options in the staff break rooms, fitness classes and a fitness challenge sponsored by General Manager Chris Wallace. During the week, Head Chef of FedExForum Thomas Winklebleck, will demonstrate to the staff how to prepare a healthy lunch. Also the Grizzlies will be promoting a more active lifestyle in the workplace, as they are set to create a walking path on the sidewalk surrounding FedExForum, by painting three blue stripes every tenth of a mile.
Healthy Home Court aims to promote a healthy lifestyle by encouraging people in the Mid-South to make healthy food choices and exercise regularly. This unique program has two main points of emphasis: To encourage high school students to eat a healthy breakfast and to encourage families to be active together to promote physical fitness.
Log on to NBA.com/NBAFIT to get fitness tips from players and trainers, view player workout videos, and check out healthy recipes from celebrity chefs Rachel Ray, Mario Batali, Michael Ferraro, Michael Psilakis and Dale Talde. Follow @NBACares for special promotions and giveaways throughout the week.
NBA/WNBA FIT is the league’s comprehensive health and wellness program that encourages physical activity and healthy living for children and families through programs, events and products year-round. Through a nationwide network of more than 1,100 community-based organizations, NBA/WNBA FIT reaches more than 2.5 million youth and families each year.
Fans who want to support the Memphis Grizzlies and purchase 2012-13 Season Tickets, or 10- and 20-Game Flex Packs can do so by calling (901) 888-HOOP or going online to grizzlies.com. Tickets for the Plaza IV and Terrace IV sections are sold out. For more information on the Grizzlies, ‘like’ Memphis Grizzlies on Facebook or follow on Twitter (@memgrizz).