Georgia Southern University’s Gus Third-Time Mascot Trot Winner at Lt. Governor’s Healthy Kids Georgia Day

March 10, 2014

Georgia Southern University’s mascot Gus won the Mascot Trot for the third consecutive year on Saturday, March 8 during the  4th Annual “Be Healthy Georgia Festival and Family Fun Run” at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta. His competitors included Georgia State University’s Pounce,  the Georgia Institute of Technology’s Buzz among Georgia sports teams and other healthful organizations.

The “Healthy Kids Georgia” program is a collaboration of the Office of Lieutenant Governor, the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s Healthy Schools Program and other corporate and community partners.  Formed in 2010, to address the epidemic levels of childhood obesity in Georgia and the serious physical and emotional consequences of the problem, the program encourages schools to partner with their local communities and the Healthy Schools program to confront the childhood obesity crisis by implementing health and wellness programs in Georgia’s schools.

Following the Atlanta Track Club’s “Kilometer Kids Family Fun Run and Kids Dash,” Gus encouraged children participating in the race with high-fives when they crossed the finish line. He also visited with fellow Eagle Lt. Governor Casey Cagle, interacted with Georgia Southern alumni in the crowd and participated in the popular Mascot Dance-off during the event. In addition, representatives from the University Wellness Program attended the event to share the message of a healthy lifestyle with festival attendees.

Georgia Southern University, a Carnegie Doctoral/Research University founded in 1906, offers 125 degree programs serving more than 20,000 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement.  Georgia Southern is recognized for its student-centered approach to education. Visit: www.georgiasouthern.edu.