Student-athletes from the Illinois State athletics program will be visiting Glenn Elementary School in Normal on Thursday, Sept. 30, as part of the Missouri Valley Conference's community outreach program, "Just Read!"
The student-athletes will be reading to elementary students at Glenn Elementary School (306 Glenn Ave.) from 10 to 11 a.m. Student-athletes making the trip to the school include Shawn Wiza, Juan Salcido, Jesse Caesar, Pat Cucci, Joe Niklasch, Dan Passarelli, Erik Madsen, Andre Parsons, Jackie Williams and Josh Chrestman.
Since 2000 our students-athletes have logged 1000 hours or more each year in community service projects, said assistant athletics director Jane Fulton. The' Just Read!' Program is at the top of our student-athletes list in community service projects. When they have an opportunity, they sign up and do a great job.
The Missouri Valley Conference began the Just Read! program in November of 1998. The program, which is co-sponsored by State Farm Insurance and the Missouri Valley Conference, has student-athletes visiting local elementary schools, reading books and relating the importance that reading has made to their lives. The program is very successful, and video segments from each Missouri Valley Conference visit are aired during the league's basketball television package.
'Just Read!' is a win-win situation for both the elementary schools and our student-athletes, said Fulton. It's a great way to stress education and be a good citizen.
For more information regarding Illinois State's visit to Glenn Elementary School, contact Jane Fulton at 309/438-2750. For more information regarding the "Just Read!" program, contact Jack R. Watkins -- 314/421-0339, ext. 327 -- or Sarah Weier -- 314/421-0339, ext. 318 -- of the Missouri Valley Conference.
