![\"\"](\"http:\/\/sites.jsums.edu\/jsuflash\/files\/2011\/03\/DSC_0979b.jpg\")
<\/a><\/strong>Alexander Robinson
\nAssociate Editor<\/strong><\/p>\n
Alyne Payton is honored by Jackson State University\u2019s tangible tribute to her son, Walter, as well as the many other honors he received both in Chicago, and in the athletic community.<\/p>\n
As students, staff and faculty gathered at the Walton Payton Health and Wellness Center last week to commemorate the 5th anniversary of the building\u2019s opening, the mother of the NFL Hall of Fame running back and JSU alumnus, beamed.<\/p>\n
\u201cWords can\u2019t express\u2026I am so happy. The pride this building gives me keeps me going; to think they would construct such a building in his honor,\u201d she said, sitting with her grandchildren and some former Jackson State students.<\/p>\n
The Payton Center, opened in 2006, serves the university and the community by providing programs and services aimed at producing more health conscious individuals.<\/p>\n
Eddie Payton, Walter\u2019s brother and JSU golf coach, has seen the Wellness Center go from being just an idea to the state of the art facility it is today.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been at JSU for 20 years. President James Lyons came up with the concept, President Mason made it a reality.\u201d said Payton.<\/p>\n
Payton admires the facility which bears his brother\u2019s name.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m still awed by how magnificent the building has become, and thankful for the Student Government Association\u2019s contribution to the development.\u201d said Payton, in reference to student fees paid every semester to support the Wellness Center.<\/p>\n
AJ Baker, a freshman therapeutic recreation major from Jackson, Miss., said the center is popular among students.\u00a0 \u201cThey have state of the art facilities, and they do a lot of great things for their patrons,\u2019\u2019 Baker stated.<\/p>\n
Among the people who use the facility are alumni and community members such as the Assistant Chief of the Jackson Police Department Lee Vance, who was part of a 12-week fitness program JSU PHAT (Proud, Healthy, and Trim).\u00a0 Vance was recognized as the UPHAT winner for his 28 pound weight loss.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a great accomplishment in my life,\u201d said Vance. \u201cI would like to thank the Walter Payton staff. As an alumnus of JSU, I now feel closer to the university.<\/p>\n
Vance said one of the challenges he faced was balancing his time to get the most out of the program. \u201cI had to prioritize because I really don\u2019t have much time, but I made time to be a part of the program,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n
UPHAT\u2122, a concept\u00a0created by officials at the Walter Payton Center, was developed for faculty\/staff members who showed wavering spirits of motivation for working out consistently.\u00a0The 12-week fitness system is designed specifically for those participants who are serious about changing their physical, mental, and emotional being by becoming proud, healthy, and trim. The concept promotes holistic\u00a0healthy lifestyle changes through personal growth, improved nutrition and\u00a0increased\u00a0physical activity. Each season, WPC determines which Payton Center classification will be served during the UPHAT\u2122 Lifestyle Challenge. Students, faculty\/staff, alumni and community have participated in previous seasons.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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