FYD Tampa Bay Pop Warner: FYD News: COMMUNITY RELATIONS UPDATE: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2013

MORE THAN A DOZEN LOCAL MIDDLE SCHOOLS COMPETING IN

2013 BUCCANEERS PLAY 60 CHALLENGE

Beginning this week and extending throughout the month of February, students at 13 Hillsborough County middle schools will compete for a total of $10,000 in physical education equipment as part of the 2013 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Play 60 Challenge. For this year's competition, sixth grade students at the participating schools will log their daily minutes of physical activity over a four-week period. At the end of the month, the average number of minutes logged per school will determine the winners, with the first place school receiving a $5,000 Ultimate Physical Education Makeover and a celebratory pep rally with Buccaneers players, Buccaneers cheerleaders, and the American Heart Association. The schools that finish second through sixth place will each receive a $1,000 Physical Education Makeover for their efforts in the Buccaneers Play 60 Challenge.

The Buccaneers Play 60 Challenge is in conjunction with a national campaign created by the NFL and the American Heart Association to inspire kids to exercise for a minimum of 60 minutes a day. NFL clubs throughout the league are teaming up with area American Heart Association affiliates to tailor the campaign to their local communities. Childhood obesity rates are at an all-time high and today nearly one in three kids and teens in the United States are obese or overweight. For more information, visit www.Heart.org/nflplay60challenge.

Throughout the month of February, students at 13 Hillsborough County middle schools are competing for the chance to win an Ultimate Physical Education Makeover and a celebratory visit from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16^TH: TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

CHEERLEADING AUDITIONS

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are currently in search of dynamic candidates to be part of one of the NFL's most elite cheerleading squads. Up to 34 cheerleaders will be selected for the team, which entertains fans at all Buccaneers home games and makes frequent appearances at community and corporate functions. The cheerleaders may also have the opportunity to travel around the country and overseas as representatives of the Buccaneers.

The team will be hosting a pre-audition dance and technique class on Sunday, February 10^th, at the USF Sun Dome. The class is a non-mandatory session that will cover basic dance techniques, NFL-style choreography and kickline drills. Preliminary/open call auditions will take place on Saturday, February 16^th, at One Buccaneer Place.

To register for dance and technique classes, the pre-audition seminar, or preliminary auditions, and to see a complete list of details and requirements for cheerleader auditions, please visit www.buccaneers.com or call the audition hotline at 813.870.2700, ext. 2430.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders make appearances at community events, corporate functions, and all Buccaneers home games, including the popular Military Appreciation Game in November.