ATLANTA (AP) — Spelman College in Atlanta is ditching its athletics program and spending the money on a campus-wide health and fitness program.

The president of the historically black women’s college says the school was spending about $1 million on its athletics program but that money is now going to benefit all 2,100 students, not just the 80 student-athletes.

Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum said Thursday that public health is a major concern. She says nearly one out of every two students have high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes or are obese.

David Ridpath is an associate professor of sports administration at Ohio University and president-elect of a group that advocates for changes in college athletics. He calls the announcement eye-catching and predicts it could serve as a model at other schools.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)