Tony Hawk and Live Like a Champion Tour Roll Into Magnolia Science Academy

Legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk and the Anthem Blue Cross Live Like a Champion Tour rolled into Magnolia Science Academy in Hollywood, California today to teach students the importance of eating healthy and staying active in a fun, interactive way. As a part of his appearance, the nine time X Games gold medalist unveiled a new addition to the tour, a “Tony Hawk: RIDE Like a Champion” interactive video game experience, which allows players of all skill levels to step onto a revolutionary skateboard shaped controller and use their bodies to perform grinds, ollies and grabs like the pros.

“As a member of the California Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, it’s an honor to have Tony Hawk: RIDE featured in the ‘Live Like a Champion’ mobile tour and to be able to share the sport I love with the students of California,” said Tony Hawk. “I am committed to promoting healthy lifestyles and Tony Hawk: RIDE is one more way to encourage people to engage in an activity they can enjoy on their own, as well as with their family and friends.”

Live Like a Champion is an award-winning initiative from the California Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and Anthem Blue Cross. The 16-city statewide tour features interactive games and challenging sports-themed activities that encourage students to bring out their “inner champion.”

A select group of Governor’s Council celebrity athletes lend their support to the Live Like a Champion Tour to help raise awareness and promote physical fitness for all Californians. They serve as role models and their favorite exercises, fruits and vegetables are shared on life-size posters throughout the event-site. “Tony is a fabulous athlete and the best skateboarder of all time, but as I’ve gotten to know him over the past few years I’ve learned that what makes him really special is his passion for the sport he loves and his passion for kids,” said Jake Steinfeld, Chairman of the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. “The Tony Hawk: RIDE Like a Champion activity is a fantastic addition to the Anthem Blue Cross Live Like a Champion Tour because it provides us the opportunity to share Tony’s passion for skateboarding to kids all around this great state.”

Event activities include:

• Olympic Style Opening Ceremony: Children pledge to put down the remote and get active.
• Laila Ali’s Champ Corner: Inspired by world champion athlete Laila Ali, children step into the ring for a round with a speed bag and learn about the importance of conditioning activities such as push-ups, sit-ups and jumping rope.
• Misty May-Treanor’s Dig, Set and Spike Like A Champion: Inspired by Olympic volleyball champion Misty May-Treanor, children step up to the net and learn how to dig, set and spike a volleyball as another way to be active and have fun.
• Jerry Rice’s Catch Like A Champion: Inspired by Super Bowl champion Jerry Rice, children make the winning catch in the end zone by diving onto an inflatable mat while hearing messages encouraging 30-60 minutes of physical activity a day.
• Lisa Leslie’s Hoop Like A Champion: Inspired by Olympic basketball champion Lisa Leslie, children shoot to score by attempting different basketball shots with various colored balls representing different healthy foods.
• Julie Foudy’s Kick Like A Champion: Inspired by World Cup champion Julie Foudy, children shoot multicolored soccer balls representing fruits and vegetables into a goal to learn the importance of a balanced diet.
• Closing Ceremony: Children engage in post-activity stretch exercises and join in an award ceremony, declaring all who participated champions

Tony Hawk: RIDE is rated E10+ by the ESRB. For more information on the game, please visit www.THRIDE.com.

Tags: Health, Jerry Rice, Kids and Teens, Lisa Leslie, Physical exercise, Skateboarding, Tony Hawk, Video game