Bobcats Begin 2012 Healthy Habits and Anti-Bullying Program
BISMARCK, ND – A big staple of the Bismarck Bobcats’ extensive community involvement kicked off Monday with a new twist as the organization launched its 2012 Healthy Habits and Anti-Bullying program at Bismarck/Mandan area elementary schools.
Starting this season, the Bobcats have added the anti-bullying segment to the program that for years has taught area schoolchildren the importance of proper eating habits and an active lifestyle.
“We know that as a sports team in Bismarck/Mandan that has a lot of young fans that we are in a position to make a difference in the lives of kids who see our players as role models,” explained Bobcats head coach and general manager Layne Sedevie, who grew up attending Bismarck public schools. “Bullying is a huge problem that is affecting kids across the country and we want to do our part to get it out of schools.”
Over the next five weeks, Bobcat players, coaches and staff members will visit elementary schools in the area, talking to nearly 3,000 young people during their gym classes.
During the program, the Bobcats will not only raise awareness on the subject of bullying and emphasize key points on proper nutrition and staying active, but also educate the students on the game of hockey and how the players have come to Bismarck/Mandan from across the country to chase their collegiate and professional hockey dreams in black and gold.
“The biggest thing we do is to go to these schools and try to educate the boys and girls on how to live right and treat other people with respect, but the kids also coming away learning a lot about us as players and as people,” noted second-year forward Shane Omdahl, who was one of many Bobcats to participate in the Healthy Habits program in 2011.
“It helps us connect on a personal level and I think that helps our message stick with them.”
As part of the program, all kids in attendance will receive materials they can read on to help eat healthy, stay active and prevent bullying in their everyday lives. They’ll also receive a free ticket to an upcoming Bobcat game.
After the players give their presentation to the schoolchildren, they will participate in games with them as a part of their regular gym class.
“Our fans and the Bismarck/Mandan community as a whole support Bobcat Hockey to an incredible degree, so it’s always our pleasure to get out there and give back, especially to those most important to us: our kids,” said Bobcats owner and CEO Thom Brigl. “It’s a fantastic program and it means a lot to us that the schools invite us back year after year to be able to present it.”
Bobcat Hockey would like to thank Healthways and Pinehurst Family Dentistry, who make the Healthy Habits and Anti-Bullying program possible.
On the ice, the Bobcats return home Wednesday to open a busy holiday week as they host the Aberdeen Wings Wednesday at the VFW Sports Center for a 7:15 contest. Minot pays their first visit of the 2012-13 season for the Cats’ fourth-annual Thanksgiving Day game before the Bobcats have a home-and-home against the Brookings Blizzard, culminating in a home date with the second-place Blizzard on Saturday.
Tickets for all three games are on sale by calling the Bobcat Box Office at 222-3300; fans can buy and print tickets online right now at BismarckBobcats.com.
Wednesday’s holiday week opener will be broadcast locally on the radio home of Bobcat Hockey, Super Talk 1270, KLXX-AM, and worldwide on the official internet television partner of the NAHL, FASTHockey, at http://nahl.fasthockey.com. Pregame coverage gets under way at 6:45 PM.
Pro-rated season tickets for the 2012-13 season are now on sale—and going fast! Call the Bobcat Hockey office today at (701) 222-3300 to reserve your seats for another great season of Championship Entertainment.