Fort Wayne, IN (January 9, 2009) - The Mad Ants are proud to announce the first annual Mad Ants Fitness Challenge. Launched on January 6th, this program, designed to promote a healthy lifestyle, will involve nearly 40,000 students from elementary schools across Allen, Huntington, and DeKalb counties.

The Fitness Challenge participants will partake in 30 minutes of physical activity per day for the duration of the program, which ends on February 5th.

Each child that completes the Fitness Challenge will receive a free scrip ticket, redeemable at any Mad Ants home game. Prize packs and special appearances by players, The Mad Ant, and Majic 95.1’s Dirk and Jeannette are also being awarded to the schools with the highest amount of total activity time per child. The winning schools will be announced on the Dirk and Jeannette morning show.

Parents are encouraged to participate in the Fitness Challenge with their childen, in hopes of building healthy habits that will last beyond the final day of the program. By joining in on the fun with their children, parents will receive a “Buy One Get One Free” Mad Ants ticket coupon.

This program is being made with the support of the following partners: WAJI Majic 95.1, Curves, America on the Move, Catalyst Fitness, Fred Toenges, NeuroSpine & Pain Center, PHP, Steppin’ Up Physical Therapy, and United Way of DeKalb County.