San Jose Earthquakes defender Bobby Burling visited John Muir Middle School in San Jose 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 he took his place in front of the crowd of 150 students who attended the assembly.
Burling stressed the impact that a healthy diet and active lifestyle has had on his life. The Colorado native 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.
[inline_node:6314]After he finished speaking, Burling selected six students to join him in front of their classmates for a juggling contest. Before the day was done, he also participated in a question and answer session where the topics ranged from the importance of keeping good grades to what his advice would be to give young defenders.
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 Chivas USA on Wednesday, Oct. 20 at Buck Shaw Stadium at 7 p.m.
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.
