San Jose Earthquakes defender Bobby Burling visited Gunderson High School on Monday afternoon in San Jose as a part of the Amway Kicks for Kids program. The Amway Kicks for Kids program, in its second year, helps teach local youth about the importance of a healthy diet and an active lifestyle.
The students greeted the Quakes defender with cheers and applause as they took their place in front of the crowd of 150 students who attended the assembly on a beautiful day in San Jose.
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Burling stressed the impact a healthy diet and active lifestyle has had on his life. The Colorado native told the students how a healthy diet helped him to have the energy to play soccer at a competitive level. He also explained the importance of being active and getting enough rest to perform at your best. Burling spoke about how he got started in his career and emphasized the importance of education, as it was College Week at Gunderson High School.
After he finished speaking, Burling selected two students to join him in on stage for a juggling challenge. Next he participated in a question and answer session where the topics ranged from who his favorite players in other leagues are, what the key is to the Quakes defense and what is the most important characteristic a soccer player can have is.
To conclude the afternoon, Burling signed autographs and posed for photographs with the students. Earthquakes staff passed out t-shirts and two tickets to the Quakes match against the Chicago Fire on Sept. 29 at Buck Shaw Stadium at 8 p.m. to all the children.
The Earthquakes and Amway teamed up to create the Amway Kicks for Kids program in 2009. Throughout the 2010 season Earthquakes players will visit 15 schools or community centers in the Bay Area to discuss the importance of being active and living a healthy lifestyle.
