Public Health Education Professor Promotes Positivity in Youth Athletics

Dr. Mike Perko’s 500 Fist Bumps initiative made more than 1,200 connections among youth athletes, coaches, and officials at a recent high school lacrosse tournament in Greensboro. The teams were challenged to connect with each other on the field for three minutes. Athletes held connection coins with their team’s logo on the front and a QR code on the back, walked to someone they didn’t know, and connected with them by trading coins and scanning the QR codes. In nine minutes, more than 1,200 connections were made, which resulted in breaking down barriers, reducing stress, making friendships and creating a sense of goodwill and sportsmanship.