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From a high school football coach who built a fitness space for everyone to a school district that said thank you to its town with a Fitness Court on a public trail, Oklahoma's education-sector partners are redefining what school wellness looks like in 2026.
There is a particular kind of civic generosity in a school district that looks outward. Most schools build things for their students. The best ones build things for their communities and invite the students to share them. That instinct is visible across Oklahoma's three newest education-sector Fitness Court partners, each of which opened in 2026 with a clear understanding that a campus amenity and a community resource are not mutually exclusive. They can be the same thing.
Oklahoma now has 17 Fitness Courts across a dozen partner communities and campuses, backed by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma. The three school district launches this year, Cleveland Public Schools, Shawnee Public Schools, and Seminole Public Schools, bring the state's education-sector network to four partners and reflect a growing recognition that schools are some of the most powerful delivery points for free, accessible public health infrastructure.
Cleveland Public Schools — "For the Land"
The back wall of the Fitness Court at Cleveland Public Schools reads "For the Land." In Oklahoma, that phrase carries weight that goes deeper than a school motto. The Land Run of 1889 defined the state's founding story, and the idea of belonging to the land, of building something on it and giving it back, runs through Oklahoma's civic identity. Cleveland Public Schools chose those words deliberately, and they chose this project the same way.
The Fitness Court sits along the CimTel Trail on the CPS campus, a 24/7 public trail that belongs as much to Cleveland residents as it does to the school. Superintendent Sol Bayouth framed the project not as a school investment but as an act of reciprocity:
"Cleveland Schools is thrilled to partner with the City of Cleveland and our Power Partners to bring this addition to our 24/7 public use CimTel Trail on our campus. The community has been unbelievably generous and gracious to our campus over the years. The Fitness Court and updates to CimTel Trail are a way for our school campus to do something for the community we serve. Thank you Cleveland, For the LAND!" Sol Bayouth, Superintendent, Cleveland Public Schools
Launch day brought out the full Cleveland community spirit. The CPS Tiger mascot was on hand, athletes faced off against coaches and the fire department in a challenge on the Fitness Court, and the energy of the day matched the sentiment on the wall. This was a school giving something back, and the community showed up to receive it.
Shawnee Public Schools — a football coach's vision for the whole town
When Shawnee High School Head Football Coach Jason Madonna took the podium at the ribbon cutting for the Shawnee Wolves Fitness Court on June 25, he did not talk about athletics. He talked about habits. About connection. About what it means to build a space that serves people long after the final whistle.
"The Shawnee Wolves Fitness Court represents our commitment to the health and well-being of our students and community. This is more than a fitness space. It's a place where people can come together, stay active, challenge themselves, and build healthier habits for life." Jason Madonna, Head Football Coach, Shawnee High School
Located on the campus of Jefferson Elementary School, the Fitness Court is designed for users of all fitness levels, free and open to the public year-round. The launch also featured remarks from Assistant Superintendent Dr. Mike Dominguez and Jenny Koetter from BCBSOK, with student athletes providing a full demonstration of all seven stations. Guests celebrated afterward with blue treats from The Surf Bar OK, owned by a Shawnee High School alumnus, a small detail that speaks to how deeply local this launch really was.
John Bobb-Semple, Executive Director of POGO, a Blue Zones Certified Community, framed the investment in terms that any public health advocate would recognize:
"Access is one of the most important factors in building a healthier community. When we create spaces that are free, accessible, and welcoming to everyone, we remove barriers and give people the opportunity to make physical activity part of their daily lives. The Shawnee Wolves Fitness Court is an investment in the health of our community, and we're excited to see families, students, and residents of all ages use this resource for years to come." John Bobb-Semple, Executive Director, POGO
Seminole Public Schools — a band, a ribbon, and a coalition of funders
The August 16 ribbon cutting at Seminole High School had something the other launches did not: a live performance by the Seminole High School Band. It was a fitting touch for a launch that felt like a genuine community celebration, and it reflected the collaborative spirit behind a project that required an unusually broad coalition to bring to life.
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Seminole Public Schools' Fitness Court was funded through a partnership between the district, TSET (Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust), the Avedis Foundation, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, and the National Fitness Campaign. Each partner brought something distinct to the table, and Superintendent Dr. Bob Gragg acknowledged all of them:
"Seminole Public Schools is deeply grateful to TSET, Avedis, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, and the National Fitness Campaign for their generous contributions toward the completion of our Fitness Court project. SPS is committed to promoting the health and well-being of our students, families, and community. We are incredibly thankful to these organizations for their support and investment in our community."Dr. Bob Gragg, Superintendent, Seminole Public Schools
TSET Interim Executive Director Lance Thomas put the grant funding in the context of what Built Environment investments are designed to do:
"TSET Built Environment grants fund locally driven efforts to improve health, and improving access to physical activity is a big part of that. The outdoor Fitness Court at Seminole High School will provide an innovative place for area teens and adults to stay active and improve wellness for many years to come." Lance Thomas, Interim Executive Director, TSET
What Oklahoma's education sector is building
Cleveland, Shawnee, and Seminole each approached this investment differently. Cleveland used it as an act of community gratitude. Shawnee built around the vision of a football coach who understood that a school's responsibility to health does not end with its athletes. Seminole assembled a coalition of funders that reflects what is possible when public health, philanthropy, and healthcare leadership align around a single project.
What they share is an understanding that a school campus is public space, and that public space can do more than it is usually asked to do. Dr. Todd Hoffman, Chief Medical Officer at BCBSOK, framed the statewide commitment behind all of these launches:
"As a company, we are committed to helping make Oklahoma a healthier state. About half of all U.S. adults are not getting enough physical activity in their daily lives. We know an active lifestyle not only supports physical health, but it also helps improve mental health and fosters opportunities for social connections. By partnering with the National Fitness Campaign to provide free outdoor gyms, we can support the health of our communities and their families where they live, work, and play."
Oklahoma's Fitness Court network now spans 17 locations across a dozen partner communities and campuses, with 15 open and 2 more in development. The education sector is one of the fastest-growing parts of that network, and the three schools that launched in 2026 have given future partners a clear picture of what it looks like when a school decides to build something for everyone.
Explore all open Fitness Court locations in Oklahoma on the NFC interactive map, or visit nationalfitnesscampaign.com/oklahoma to learn more about the statewide campaign.
