Former Kansas University basketball great Lynette Woodard and baseball Hall of Famer George Brett will serve as honorary co-chairs of the Governor’s Council on Fitness.

“We’ve put together an excellent group of role models to lead the Council and to encourage Kansans to make healthy changes in their lives,” Gov. Kathleen Sebelius said.

“We can lower our health costs and improve our quality of life by taking a few simple steps together,” she added.

The mission of the Council is to encourage increased physical activity, healthy diets and prevent tobacco use.

Sebelius also appointed to the council five celebrity ambassadors, including Danny Manning, former KU and NBA basketball player and currently director of student-athlete development for KU men’s basketball team; and Danni Boatwright of Tonganoxie, winner of television’s “Survivor: Guatemala.”

The 24-member council includes Lawrence resident Wayne Osness, emeritus professor of health, sport, and exercise science at KU.

Secretary of Health and Environment Rod Bremby will be an ex-officio member.