According to Lori Benson, Director of Fitness & Physical Education for the New York City Department of Education, findings from a 2003 study conducted on students in New York City elementary schools were so telling, that education and health administrators were prompted to make major changes to improve physical education and fight the ever-increasing obesity/overweight epidemic. The 2003 study that she references found that nearly 50 percent of K-5 students in New York City were overweight or obese, and nearly one in five kindergarten students entering the system were already obese. These startling figures have led to unbelievable changes to physical education in New York City. Because of these changes and improvements, NASPE honored Benson and the New York City Department of Education with the Ross Merrick National Recognition Award. This article describes the major changes made to physical education in New York City in regards to curriculum, assessment, and professional development.