Earlier in his career the elder Heagen would run seven miles to school every morning. Joining him on several of those runs in the early 1980s was Franklin student Susan Hammock, who later earned a track and cross country scholarship to Wichita State University. They can get A's all the time in the classroom, but when they break 10 minutes in the cross country run, now that's different. They are sky- high with confidence and they're proud when I put their names on the wall. Every member of the Heagen family expressed concern at the demise of physical education teaching across the country.
Studies show that childhood obesity is epidemic and that one in five children is overweight.
That is more than double the number from 30 years ago. It bothers you how things are different from when I started 33 years ago. Kids stay indoors and are inactive. You just don't see the sandlot games outside anymore. And give them motivation and knowledge they need to stay active and healthy for a lifetime.