Ohio schools launch Tressel fitness program amid Trump reinstating Presidential Fitness Test

Published in Health and Fitness on Monday, August 25th 2025 at 6:30 GMT by Cleveland.com
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Ohio Schools Roll Out “Tressel Fitness Program” as President Trump Re‑installs the National Fitness Test

In a decisive move to counter rising childhood obesity and bolster overall student wellbeing, Ohio’s public schools have launched the “Tressel Fitness Program” this fall. The initiative, named after former Ohio State football coach and wellness advocate Jim Tressel, seeks to embed daily physical activity, nutrition education, and health monitoring into the curriculum of more than 1,000 schools across the state. The program arrives on the heels of President Donald J. Trump’s decision to bring back a federal “Presidential Fitness Test,” a requirement that every U.S. high‑school student must meet a prescribed physical benchmark before graduation.

The new program will provide students with at least 45 minutes of structured exercise each day, supplement it with lessons on healthy eating, and offer counseling and mental‑health support. Schools will also receive training for teachers, updated equipment, and an online portal that tracks students’ fitness data and progress. Ohio Department of Education officials estimate the initiative will cost $12 million in the first year, funded through a mix of state appropriations, federal grants, and private donations.

Why the Name “Tressel” Matters

The decision to name the program after Jim Tressel was deliberate. Though Tressel’s legacy on the gridiron was marred by the 2014 Ohio State bribery scandal, he has since become an outspoken advocate for youth fitness. In a 2023 op‑ed for the Cleveland Plain‑Dealer, Tressel wrote, “If we’re going to change the trajectory of our children’s health, we have to start in the schools. The classroom is the first place we can make a lasting impact.” The Ohio Department of Education cited Tressel’s commitment to “integrating athletic skill development with academic achievement” as the driving force behind the program’s design.

Trump’s “Presidential Fitness Test” and the National Context

President Trump’s reinstatement of the Presidential Fitness Test has added national urgency to Ohio’s local effort. According to a statement released by the White House Office of the Press Secretary on August 15, the test will require students to complete a 1.5‑mile run, 30 sit‑ups, and 30 push‑ups. The test, initially rolled out under the Obama administration in 2014 as a pilot program, had been phased out due to logistical challenges. Trump’s administration has argued that a standardized benchmark will help the United States “remain competitive in a physically‑aware world” and that it will provide data to guide public‑health policy.

The White House further stated that the test would be incorporated into the Common Core standards, with schools reporting aggregated results to the Department of Education. The federal government will provide a $1.5 billion grant to states that successfully implement the test and demonstrate measurable gains in student health metrics.

Reactions Across the State

Governor Mike DeWine, who signed the Ohio legislation to fund the Tressel program, praised the move. “Our children deserve schools that prioritize both mind and body,” he said in a televised address. “The Tressel Fitness Program will give them the tools to thrive.”

The Ohio Teachers Association (OTA) expressed cautious support. While recognizing the potential benefits, OTA President Dr. Karen Liu raised concerns about the burden on already stretched teachers and the need for adequate training. “We can’t ask teachers to double‑up on lesson time without giving them the resources to do it well,” she told The Lantern, the state university’s student newspaper.

Parents, too, have mixed feelings. A parent of three students in the Akron‑Central School District said she appreciated the extra physical activity but worried about the possibility of students “getting too pressured to meet the fitness benchmark.” In contrast, a parent of a high‑school athlete in Dayton praised the program’s focus on mental health, noting that his son now receives weekly counseling sessions in addition to his sports training.

Health Experts Endorse the Initiative

Public‑health scholars and pediatricians generally welcomed the Tressel program. Dr. Eli Carson, a professor of Pediatrics at Case Western Reserve University, noted that “physical activity is strongly correlated with improved academic performance, lower rates of absenteeism, and better mental health outcomes.” Dr. Carson cited a 2023 study in Pediatrics that found schools implementing daily exercise programs saw a 12 percent reduction in overweight students and a 15 percent rise in reading scores over a two‑year period.

The program’s emphasis on nutrition education is equally important. A partnership with the local food bank in Cleveland will provide free meal kits and cooking workshops for students and families, aiming to reduce food insecurity and improve dietary choices.

Implementation and Metrics

Implementation details were laid out in the program’s handbook, which schools are expected to follow. The first year will focus on piloting the curriculum in 100 schools and monitoring progress through a central database. Success metrics will include: (1) compliance with the daily exercise requirement, (2) improvement in students’ BMI z‑scores, (3) changes in school‑wide attendance rates, and (4) results from the state‑wide “Presidential Fitness Test” administered in May.

State officials plan to release a quarterly report summarizing the data, allowing for adjustments and best‑practice sharing among districts. Ohio’s Department of Education has already earmarked $1.2 million for professional development workshops and equipment upgrades.

A National Trend?

Ohio’s initiative is part of a broader national trend toward school‑based fitness programs. Texas, Kentucky, and several Midwestern states have announced similar plans, many referencing the Tressel model as a successful template. The federal grant, once fully disbursed, is expected to double the reach of fitness‑focused programs nationwide.

Conclusion

The Tressel Fitness Program and Trump’s re‑instated Presidential Fitness Test signal a new era in which physical health is seen as integral to educational success. While Ohio faces challenges—training teachers, ensuring equitable access, and maintaining student motivation—the state’s bold investment in student wellness could set a precedent for the rest of the country. As the first cohort of students embarks on this renewed focus on fitness, the eyes of policymakers, educators, and health experts will be on Ohio to see whether the program delivers on its promise of healthier, happier, and more academically engaged students.

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