(SEMINOLE, OKLAHOMA - AUGUST 30, 2026) — SEMINOLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, TSET, Avedis Foundation, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma, and National Fitness Campaign (NFC) today announced a partnership to bring an outdoor Fitness Court® and digital wellness programming to Seminole Public Schools. The Fitness Court®, located at Seminole High School, will open September 9, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
This Fitness Court® was funded by Seminole Public Schools, the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET), Avedis Foundation, BCBSOK, and NFC to expand free access to high-quality workouts and create equitable access to exercise for communities across the region. The Fitness Court® is the world’s best outdoor gym that lets users leverage their own body weight to get a complete workout using seven exercise stations.
Created for adults of all abilities aged 14+, the Fitness Court® workouts are adaptable for all fitness levels, allowing participants to move at their own pace. Users also may download the free Fitness Court® App which acts as a coach-in-your-pocket and enhances the outdoor gym into a digitally supported wellness experience. Seminole Public Schools is one of the first ten Campaign Partners building a network of Fitness Courts across the state, with the help of BCBSOK.
“Seminole Public Schools is deeply grateful to TSET, AVEDIS, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and the National Fitness Campaign for their generous contributions toward the completion of our fitness court project,” said Dr. Bob Gragg, Superintendent of Seminole Public Schools. “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. Thank you to each of our generous donors for helping make this vision a reality!”
“TSET Built Environment grants fund locally driven efforts to improve health, and improving access to physical activity is a big part of that,” said Lance Thomas, TSET interim executive director. “The outdoor Fitness Center 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.”
“As a company, we are committed to helping make Oklahoma a healthier state,” said Dr. Todd Hoffman, chief medical officer for BCBSOK. “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.”
“We are excited to have Seminole Public Schools join us in the journey to improve health and wellness as we work to make a powerful and long lasting impact on health outcomes and happiness by building healthy communities across America,’’ said Mitch Menaged, founder of National Fitness Campaign. “The addition of the outdoor Fitness Court, along with digital wellness programming, demonstrates a tremendous commitment to the health and wellbeing within the Seminole community.”
Residents are invited to attend the launch event on September 9, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. to try the Fitness Court®. For more information, contact Angela Willmett at 405 382-5085. For more information on BCBSOK’s support of NFC, please visit https://www.nationalfitnesscampaign.com/oklahoma.
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About Seminole Public Schools
Seminole Public Schools is proud to serve the students, families, and community of Seminole, Oklahoma. Our schools are committed to providing a safe, supportive, and engaging environment where every student has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed. At SPS, we believe education extends beyond the classroom. Through academics, activities, athletics, and community involvement, we strive to develop well-rounded students who are prepared for success in college, careers, and life. We are proud of the traditions and legacy of being a Chieftain. Generations of students, families, educators, and community members have built a legacy of pride, perseverance, excellence, and loyalty. We honor those traditions while creating new ones for the next generation of Chieftains. Seminole Public Schools is committed to honoring our past, embracing our future, and building a strong community—one Chieftain at a time.
About Avedis Foundation
Avedis Foundation is a private foundation established in Shawnee, Oklahoma in 2012. The name “Avedis” means “bearer of glad tidings or good news”. Avedis Foundation is a catalyst and facilitator of change through strategic investments and partnerships with a vision to measurably improve the health, wellness and quality of life for the people of Pottawatomie County and its surrounding communities. Our signature statement, “We’re here for good,” is both a commitment to the communities we serve and a promise to continue investing for years to come. The foundation staff and board of directors are consistently assessing health, wellness and quality of life issues in the county and developing new and innovative ways to improve outcomes.
About the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust
The Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) is building a healthier future for all Oklahomans. As a state grantmaking entity, TSET supports community programs, public health initiatives and research to prevent the leading causes of chronic disease. TSET grants and partnerships help to reduce tobacco use, improve nutrition, advance medicine and increase access to active, healthy living. Created by voters and funded by the Master Settlement Agreement, TSET is creating lasting change in schools, workplaces and communities across the state. Learn more at Oklahoma.gov/TSET.
About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma
For 84 years, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma has been committed to meeting the health care financing needs of Oklahomans. As the state's oldest and largest private health insurer, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma provides health care benefit plans for more than 800,000 Oklahomans. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma is a division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
About National Fitness Campaign
Founded in San Francisco in 1979, National Fitness Campaign (NFC) is a wellness consulting firm that provides programs and services to cities, schools and sponsors. Our mission is to build healthy communities nationwide. The campaign delivers an integrated wellness initiative, centered around the Fitness Court®– the world's best outdoor gym. National Fitness Campaign is preparing to welcome its 750th healthy community in 2026, as it continues to grow the country’s largest public-private partnership in support of wellness with the goal of building a Fitness Court® within a 10-minute bike ride of every American. Learn more about National Fitness Campaign at nationalfitnesscampaign.com and follow along on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
