Team Tressel scheduled to visit two schools in the area on Tuesday, September 15, 2026
COLUMBUS, Ohio–(AVC News)—From hometown heroes to collegiate standouts and professional athletes, Ohio’s sports community is coming together as one team with one mission: to help Ohio’s next generation reach their full potential.
Lt. Governor Jim Tressel has announced the statewide network of 137 former collegiate and professional athletes, coaches, and trainers who are stepping up to mentor and encourage more than 654,000 students taking on the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge.
Seven of those mentors will serve as Challenge Captains, helping lead the network and bring the Challenge directly to students across Ohio:
Fall 2026 Athlete Mentor Roster
Melissa Basil, former Ohio State softball catcher
Donnie Evege, former Ohio State football defensive back
Ted Ginn Jr., former Ohio State and NFL receiver and head coach of the Columbus Aviators
Roy Hall Jr., former Ohio State and NFL receiver
Braxton Miller, former Ohio State quarterback and NFL receiver
DeVier Posey, former Ohio State, NFL, and CFL receiver
Tina Provost, former Ohio State cheerleader
“Our athlete mentors are making an impact that goes far beyond sports,” said Lt. Governor Tressel. “There’s something powerful about showing up for a young person, encouraging them, and letting them know you believe in them. We want every student to know they have an entire team in their corner cheering them on and helping them become their very best.”
Led by Lt. Governor Tressel, the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge is a free statewide program that helps students in grades 3-8 set personal goals, build healthy habits, and reach their full potential. The challenge focuses on cardio, strength, flexibility, nutrition, sleep, and an attitude of gratitude.
Throughout the fall, Challenge Captains and athlete mentors will visit participating schools, lead workouts, speak at assemblies, and encourage students as they work toward their bronze, silver, and gold achievement levels.
Along the way, they’ll share lessons about confidence, discipline, teamwork, perseverance, and living life with an attitude of gratitude.
The mission is simple: Make sure every student taking on the Challenge knows someone believes in them.
The athlete mentor network is one part of a growing statewide team rallying around Ohio’s young people. Round three of the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge kicked off in August 2026 and is now reaching a record 654,000 students at nearly 2,200 schools across all 88 Ohio counties. Together, students are working to build healthy habits and become the best version of themselves.
On Tuesday, September 15, Team Tressel will be at two area schools:
Event # 1 10:45 am
Lt. Governor Jim Tressel and Athlete Mentor Cie Grant, former Ohio State and NFL linebacker, will be at the West Elementary School in New Philadelphia.
Event #2 1:30 pm
Lt. Governor Jim Tressel along with Athlete Mentor, DeVier Posey, former Ohio State, CFL, and NFL receiver, will be visiting the John McIntire Elementary School in Zanesville
Visit: education.ohio.gov/TeamTressel to learn more about the Challenge and how you can join Team Tressel in supporting Ohio’s next generation.
Last Updated on September 14, 2026 by AVC News
