September 3, 2025 — The Johnson Park Panthers may have just welcomed a new school year, but they weren’t expecting to also welcome some of Ohio’s biggest names in sports and education to their home court. When Ohio Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel walked in front of the crowd alongside former Ohio State and NFL standout Ted Ginn Jr., the roar was deafening.
The visit was part of Tressel’s new statewide initiative, the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge, aimed at getting Ohio’s fourth- through eighth-grade students moving, eating smarter, sleeping better, and practicing discipline. For Johnson Park students, it was a chance to shine as “Leaders Grown Here,” showing how young people can embrace healthy habits.
The assembly began with a highlight video and warm welcome from Principal Dr. Staci Rouse, who set the tone for the morning. Then, with the flair of a coach rallying a team at halftime, Tressel and Ginn took the microphone.
“This is about helping you improve your fitness level, improve your nutritional outlook, do a better job with your sleep, and just help you progress,” Tressel told the crowd of students.
Tressel’s message to the young leaders was clear: this was not a one-day pep rally, but the start of a 90-day journey toward healthier living. What followed was part encouragement, part exercise, and pure excitement.
Tressel, Ginn Jr., and a group of athletes led students through a rapid-fire series of exercises to bring energy to the gym and pump up Johnson Park students. They began with a classic: jumping jacks. Ginn Jr. grinned as the students counted each rep aloud: “One, two, three…,” and so on. By the time they hit 10, the room was vibrating with Panther pride. After that came push-ups, toe touches, and balance challenges that even had athletes wobbling.
Between each set, Tressel reminded students that the goal was improvement, not perfection.
“Think about where you are today, and set a goal to be just a little better tomorrow,” Tressel said.
The message resonated with students at Johnson Park.
“I think I took away a couple of things,” said Donte Goosby, a seventh grader who volunteered during the activities. “First of all, never stop trying. Keep being healthy, keep working hard.”
Donte’s grin said it all. This was a lesson learned not from a textbook, but from sweat, laughter, and encouragement. He wasn’t the only one who felt the lesson sink in. For fellow Johnson Park students, the thrill wasn’t just about seeing celebrities; it was about feeling seen. Tressel made sure the spotlight stayed on the students by calling out volunteers and celebrating their efforts.
“One of our rules is that we support our classmates, our friends, our teammates, and we keep track as a team of how we’re doing,” Tressel said.
The Panthers followed Tressel’s lead by shouting encouragement and high-fiving their peers as if they were competing in a championship match.
Dr. Rouse beamed as she watched her students rise to the challenge. She even joined in, dropping into planks and push-ups alongside the students.
“I think today was a very inspirational and enthusiastic way to kick off health, fitness, and wellness for students starting here at Johnson Park with our wonderful school district,” she said. “Our students were excited, they participated, and they showed what Panthers are all about.”
The Team Tressel Fitness Challenge is about much more than cardio or push-ups. Each participating student in the state receives a workbook to set personal goals in four key areas: physical activity, nutrition, sleep, and quiet reflection.
“It takes discipline,” Tressel explained. “Getting up and exercising, saying no to donuts, getting the proper rest…it all takes discipline, and being nice to each other takes discipline, too.”
Ginn Jr. backed Tressel up with his own story.
“Fitness has to be a lifestyle,” Ginn Jr. told the crowd. “As I get older, I’ve had to think more about what I eat, how I rest, and how I take care of myself.”
Together Tressel and Ginn Jr. emphasized that health is about balance. Just as students must train their bodies, they must also train their minds.
“Sometimes you just have to think a little bit, because the world is so busy,” Tressel said. “Quiet time helps you focus.”
For Columbus City Schools (CCS), it’s a chance to show that its students are ready to lead the way. Johnson Park’s kickoff was designed to model the enthusiasm and engagement that will ripple into other schools.
“We’re proud to have been selected as a kickoff site for the fitness challenge,” Dr. Rouse said. “Our students and staff did a fantastic job welcoming our guests and setting an example for other middle schools throughout the state.”
By the time the assembly closed with group photos and another round of cheers, the message had been delivered: fitness is fun, but it’s also fundamental.
From the youngest sixth-grader waving a hand-drawn sign to the eighth-graders already thinking about high school athletics, the Panthers understood the challenge before them.
The assembly was a celebration of what can happen when community leaders, educators, and students come together to focus on health, wellness, and the future.
“It was really exciting,” Donte said. “It was a really nice experience and a really nice opportunity for our school.”
As the bleachers emptied and the gym fell quiet again, one truth lingered: the roar of the Johnson Park Panthers set the tone for their school and for students across the state.
Tressel left the students with one final reminder: “You’re our next leaders, our next generation. We’re counting on you.”
The Team Tressel Fitness Challenge begins statewide on September 8, 2025.
