Indiana University Athletics
Hoosiers Participate in Read Across America
3/1/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 1, 2006
In 1997, the National Education Association (NEA) began Read Across America, a program designed to promote child literacy. Now in its eighth year, the program has enlisted the aid of professional athletes, private citizens and most recently, the Indiana baseball team.
The annual events are scheduled to coincide with March 2, the birthday of Thodor Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss. Seniors Clint Crosier and Josh Lewis, junior Andy Casper, sophomore Doug Fleenor and freshmen Joe Vicini and Billy O'Conner got into the spirit at Edgewood Primary School in Bloomington. The six players spent Feb. 27 afternoon reading Dr. Seuss books to the students. However, they also were able to take time out to answer questions, help students make Dr. Seuss hats and hang out with the Cat in the Hat.
Assistant Coach Ty Neal, along with coaches from other Hoosier teams, helped convince their players to attend the event. According to Neal, he did not have to do much convincing.
"I was asked to find six players who would be interested," Neal said. "I just sent out a mass e-mail to our guys and before the end of the day I had six guys who said they'd love to do it. They all said it was a good experience seeing the smiles on the kids' faces. The biggest thing is that our guys came back humble and smiling. I'm sure they'd all do it again, given the opportunity."
Fleenor enjoyed taking time to spend some time with the students.
"The Cat in the Hat lead us into the room. After that we just read to the kids and talked to them about the importance of reading," sophomore pitcher Doug Fleenor said. "I think the kids really had fun which is the most important part."
After reading to the students, the players answered questions and talked some baseball to the class.
"It was great. They asked us `how many players are on the field?' `Who's your favorite team?' They asked some really important questions," Fleenor said with a laugh.
Read Across America will culminate nationwide on Thursday, March 2, which would have been the 102nd birthday of Dr. Seuss. That day, the Hoosiers will be traveling to Florida for a weekend series with the Miami Hurricanes. However, Neal says some of those players not making the trip will participate in the Read Across America events.
"We will participate again on Thursday," Neal said. "A couple of the guys staying behind will stop by and visit."
If you would like to find out how to participate in the NEA's Read Across America events, visit their website, http://www.nea.org/readacross/index.html.
