Jump start

You’ve got to look up in the sky to catch the pre-game show before the Spartan football game Saturday.

Eight figures will dive to the field in creative and daring formations ending with a giant American flag.

The Misty Blues all-women sky diving team will land on the Spartan Stadium field to start off the game against rival, Eastern Michigan University.

The jump is part of Junior Spartan Day an annual tailgate for Junior Spartan members, a special fan club for kids.

The jump is intended to raise awareness about healthy living to young people through the #MIKidsCan initiative.

“You have to maintain good physical shape to skydive. Being healthy and agile will help prevent injury in the case of a landing not going quite as planned,” said Amanda Scheffler, co-founder and director of the Misty Blues.

#MIKidsCan is a Blue Cross Blue Shield program that stresses the importance of eating healthy and being active starting at a young age.

More than 30 percent of children ages 10 to 17 in Michigan are overweight, according to the 2011 National Survey of Children’s Health.

The Misty Blues will sign autographs at halftime.

“The potential for an event of this size to reach and impact so many people is impressive. We are excited to be able to be a part of such a strong and important message,” Scheffler said.

Spartan Stadium has seating for more than 75,000.