Even though Reading is Fundamental, to an Illinois State student-athlete it is much more than that. It is an opportunity to give back to the community by participating in the Just Read program sponsored by State Farm and the Missouri Valley Conference. On Wednesday, September 18, 12 Redbird student-athletes were given this opportunity at Carlock Elementary in Carlock, Ill.
It is great to see student-athletes give back to the community, said Erik Rankin, the coordinator for Academic Services at the Karin Bone Athletic Study Center at Illinois State. To see the kids faces light up when they see the Redbird athletes come into their classrooms is very rewarding.
The student-athletes spoke and read books to a variety of classes from kindergarten through fifth-grade. Two student-athletes usually address each classroom and Illinois State sends representatives to different elementary schools four to five times each semester.
Student-athletes participating in the program included: Erin Cunningham, Nicole Bishop, Courtney Johnson, and Kerry Tierney (gymnastics), Kate Stake and Ashley Ogorek (softball), Troy Maskel (football), and Casey Gantt, Andrew Jury, Dan Tripp and Liz Callham (track and field/cross country).
The goal of the program is to promote the importance of reading at an early age to stimulate educational growth, while utilizing Missouri Valley Conference athletes as positive role models.
The next Just Read program for Illinois State will take place on October 1 with 24 student-athletes reading to the students of Sugar Creek Elementary.
