KNOXVILLE — The University of Tennessee will host Tennessee on the Move’s Day of Action, a campus-wide walk and celebration, at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28.
UT Chancellor Loren Crabtree will lead the 2,000-step walk. The following celebratory rally will be held at the University Center Plaza. UT faculty, staff, students and community members will participate. Knox County and City of Knoxville employees also will join the walk from the City County building.
Walkers should report at 8:45 a.m. to one of five starting points: Circle Park, the Veterinary Teaching Hospital on the agricultural campus, Presidential Courtyard, the UT Conference Center and Stokely Athletic Center.
The public is invited to participate by reporting to any of the five start locations. Public parking is available at the University Center garage and the Locust Street garage (across from the UT Conference Center on Henley Street).
“There is no greater asset to each of us than our physical and emotional well-being,” Crabtree said. “As hosts to Tennessee on the Move, we look forward to this opportunity to raise our community’s awareness of the small changes that can bring about big results in maintaining good health.”
Groups across the nation affiliated with America on the Move will hold similar events in honor of this day. In New York City, America on the Move spokesman and talk show celebrity Regis Philbin will walk along red carpets in Manhattan.
“Our intent is to get everyone to begin with just this one day and pledge to add 2,000 extra steps to their daily routines and to find a way to eat 100 fewer calories,” said Siri-Datar Khalsa, Tennessee on the Move’s executive coordinator.
Tennessee’s program was the first state affiliate in the nation to receive federal funds. It is housed in UT’s Department of Nutrition. Dr. Michael Zemel, UT professor of nutrition and director of UT-s Nutrition Institute, serves as executive director of the statewide organization.
Governor Phil Bredesen has proclaimed Sept. 28 as Tennessee on the Move Day of Action. Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam and a representative from Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale-s office will attend the celebration to proclaim Tennessee on the Move Day in Knoxville and Knox County, respectively. Vendors including Mayfield, Smoothie King, UT Dining Services/Aramark, New Balance and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee will provide refreshments and other giveaway items.
UT will distribute free pedometers to the first 250 people who cross the finish line.
In preparation for the event, people are encouraged to take the America on the Move pledge, which automatically enters new members in a national drawing for a spa and golf vacation, among other prizes. To take the America on the Move pledge, visit www.americaonthemove.org.
Questions about the event may be directed to the Tennessee on the Move office at (865) 974-1345. For a map of specific routes, please visit www.tennessee.edu.
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Contact: Siri-Datar Khalsa (865-974-1345)
Karen Ann Collins (865-974-5186 or 865-216-6862)
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