Dallas Cowboy, Doug Free, speaks to adoring fans at Friday morning's assembly at Como-Pickton
School, where the school was recognized as a winner in the "Fuel Up to Play 60" Program sponsored
by local dairy farmers and DairyMax.

 

Como-Pickton Students Earn Healthy Diets, Exercise,
and A Visit by Dallas Cowboy, Doug Free

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

The excitement was high, on Friday morning, at Como-Pickton School as Dallas Cowboy tackle, Doug Free, arrived at the school to visit with students and encourage them to continue choosing healthy diets, meaningful exercise, and a positive lifestyle. Free's visit was part of the rewards the students had earned for their participation in the national "Fuel Up to Play 60" Program, sponsored in part by local dairy farmers and DairyMax.

 

Dallas Cowboy, Doug Free, is lead into Como-Pickton's Friday morning assembly, by
Assistant Superintendent, Lydia Walden, amidst video cameras and the press, as Teresa
Wagner, right, Sports Marketing Director for DairyMax looks on.

 

Free, a native of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, shared with the students that he was reared in a small town, with a population of approximately 32,000. "I worked on a local dairy farm, in my hometown, like many of you, from the time I was in the sixth grade, all the way through high school," shared Free. "It taught me the value of a strong work ethic and how important it is to set goals, and look toward a future!"

 

Doug Free answers some of the questions from the audience at Friday's assembly.

 

Free achieved academic and athletic success, first in high school at Manitowoc, and then went on to Northern Illinois University, where he started in 49 games and was semifinalist for the "Draddy Award," for academic success, football performance, and exemplary community service. He earned first-team All-Mid American Conference and All-MAC Academic honors as a senior at Northern Illinois, before being drafted by the Dallas Cowboys, in the 2007 NFL Draft.

After the April 1, 2010 release, by the Cowboys, of starting left tackle, Flozell Adams, Doug Free has been "penciled in" as the starting left tackle for the 2010 season.

Since joining the Cowboys, Doug has participated in several Dallas Cowboy's organized charities...Make-A-Wish Foundation of North Texas, the Dallas Cowboys Cookbook benefitting Happy Hill Farm, the Salvation Army Angel Tree Christmas Program, and the Annual Team Holiday Hospital visits.

 

Free demonstrates some of the warm-up exercises that he undertakes
before his daily work-out routine.

 

And, Como-Pickton students emulated them....

 

 

 

Students in Northeast Texas will now be watching for #68 come the upcoming 2010 season, as Free makes strides with the organization, as students from Sulphur Bluff were also present at Friday's event.

"I want to encourage all of you to stay active and eat a healthy diet," continued Free, in his presentation. "Get out in the country with your friends and climb trees, run and have fun, as well as participating in organized sports, and that will get you away from the television set and give you a foundation for a healthier lifestyle!"

At 6'6" and 306 pounds, Free towered over the students and teachers at Como-Pickton School. "I encourage you to eat balanced foods, including milk and dairy products, as you develope a healthy diet," continued Free. "Before a game, I typically, eat pasta, whole grains, and strawberries, to give me the needed energy for a game!"

 

A bearded, Doug Free, had his own "milk mustache" following drinking this milk from a newly
designed milk container, that will be available at Como-Pickton School.

 

The crowd of students and teachers, at Friday's assembly, broke into a round of applause as Free opened a newly designed plastic carton of milk and drank a healthy portion. He soon had a "milk mustache" to display for the students.

 

 

Free answered a number of student questions fielded from the audience and then received questions from some of the administrators who had helped implement the "Fuel Up to Play 60 Program.

 

These visiting students from Sulphur Bluff School joined Free
and the students at Como-Pickton, on Friday morning, as they
had participated in the "Fuel Up to Play 60" Program, also.

 

Following his appearance, Doug Free signed autographs for the students and was featured in a video that will be used by DairyMax to continue their promotion of milk and dairy products.

 

These Northeast Texas dairy farmers, joined Doug Free at the autograph table, during his appearance at
Como-Pickton School, on Friday.

 

"It's great to have Doug Free come to visit our students and re-enforce what we've been teaching in the classroom," explained Como-Pickton Assistant Superintendent, Lydia Walden. "It just means so much to our students to see positive role models, who take the time to answer their questions!"

 

Autograph time....

 

 

 

 

And, Mrs. Monk and Mrs. Walden managed to "steal" a kiss!

The morning ended with several student leaders being interviewed on their participation and the benefits
received from participation in the "Fuel Up to Play 60" Program, sponsored by DairyMax.

 

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