March 22, 2011

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Samford athletes participated in "Read Across America" day at Vestavia East Elementary on Wednesday, Mar. 2.

Student-athletes from Samford's baseball, softball and women's tennis teams celebrated Dr. Suess' birthday by reading books to kindergarteners through third graders. Alex Adams, Brianna Chambers, Lakan Smith, Regan Bates, Aaren Fisher, Arica Dykes and Robyn Harmon participated from the softball team. Andrie Meiring and Taylor Morgan participated from the women's tennis team, while Kyle Putkonen, Taylor Hammond and C.K. Irby participated from the baseball team.

Samford's director of marketing & community relations, Hollie Huey, was contacted by Jaimie Livingston from Vestavia East Elementary. Livingston, a Vestavia East Elementary PTO, was pleased with Samford's student-athletes enthusiasm with the elementary students the year prior, and she wanted to invite the athletes back for "Read Across America" day.

"It is wonderful to see students who value academics as well as athletics," Livingston said. "They were engaging to the students while reading, and they did a great job."

Interacting with young students is very important to Samford's Athletic Department. It is a way for Samford to connect on a more personal level with the public.

"Community service is a great way to interact off campus with people," said softball player Aaren Fisher. "It gives us an opportunity to get out in the community and really get to know our supporters and fans."

Community service is important for student-athletes, but it is also important for the student-athletes to be positive role models for the elementary students as well.

"It is important as student-athletes to be the example for younger children and to encourage them to continue to do well in school and other special activities they enjoy," Fisher said.

To help encourage the elementary school students, the athletes shared the importance of reading. Each student-athlete read at least one book to a class in honor of "Read Across America" day.

Samford's student-athletes were positive encouragers, but some had a difficult time reading the books the elementary school students chose.

"The kids were funny," said Fisher. "They would laugh when we would make a silly mistake by reading too fast or stumbling with our words."

The interaction between Vestavia East Elementary students and Samford's athletes was natural. The student-athletes felt comfortable with the teachers and their students, and they also enjoyed socializing with the students as well.

"It was a blast," said Fisher, "and my teammates and I enjoyed every second we were there."