Nov. 17, 2010

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Samford football will hold its inaugural Education Day this Saturday at the Bulldogs' home game against The Citadel. The football team has been promoting Education Day this season which emphasizes the importance of reading and a good education.

Samford football players George Allers, Chris Graben, Patrick Hatcher, Alvin Hines, Josh Jackson, Jacob Kirschenbaum, Branden Moore, Erik Peterson, Justin Shade and Cory Smith visited schools in the Birmingham area leading up to Education Day. They visited Liberty Park Elementary, Vestavia Central Elementary, Vestavia East Elementary, Cahaba Heights Elementary, Hall Kent Elementary and Edgewood Elementary.

Players, like Alvin Hines, took time between class, practice and studying to help influence the lives of children at local schools.

"Every Monday and Wednesday, I look forward to going to read to different children at elementary schools," Hines said. "It is the highlight of my day. Seeing their faces light up, and how intrigued they are about me almost becomes overwhelming. I enjoy their questions, and most of all telling them the importance of reading. This is my way of giving back and I do it with pride. These children are the future of America. I enjoy helping our future, knowing that if I get to one, if not all, it would benefit them greatly."

Each child in the Homewood, Hoover and Vestavia school systems have been presented with a "Bulldog Buddies" bookmark. All kids, who bring their bookmark, will be admitted to the football game for free with a paid adult.

"Reading to these children during the school visits and explaining the Education Day was an amazing time," said Offensive Lineman Branden Moore. "It was great being able to explain the importance of reading and the amazing education their school can give."

All kids in attendance can enter to win a free flat-screen television to be given away at the game. Also, the school who brings the most children to the game will receive a donation from the Samford Athletics Department to the winning school's library.

"I was amazed at how excited these kids acted when they learned that whatever school has the most attendance to our game against the Citadel will have money donated to their library for books," Moore said. "These kids were legitimately pumped about having more books."

Important information regarding Education Day:
- Each child receives FREE admission with paid adult.
- Tickets are $15 adults and $5 children (2-12; under 2 years is free). Ticket sales are at Gate B.
- Kids are encouraged to bring their book marks to the game to help us track which school brings the most students.
- School shirts will also be acceptable for admission to the game (in case of lost book marks).
- Everyone should enter the stadium at Gate B.
- Seating is available on a first-come, first serve basis in sections 108, 109 and 110, right next to Gate B.
- The school that has the most children at the game will win a donation to its library. Attendance count will conclude at the end of the 1st quarter in order to tally numbers and announce the winner in the 3rd quarter.
- Each child in attendance can register once for an opportunity to win the flat screen television. The flat screen tv will be given away at the first timeout of the 4th quarter. The winning child MUST BE PRESENT at this time in order to receive the tv.
- We will have a table inside of Gate B to total attendance for Education Day.
- Parking on campus is free and available on a first-come, first serve basis.
- Stadium gates will open at 11:30 a.m.

For more information on Education Day, please contact Director of Marketing and Community Relations, Hollie Huey at hhuey@samford.edu or 205-726-4344.