EDEN, Vt.-The Northern Vermont University-Johnson men's basketball team took time away from the basketball court on Tuesday to do some community outreach at Eden Central School.
The Badgers facilitated a Read Aloud to grades K-6 at the local Eden Central School. Head Coach Miles Smith and the men's basketball program took time to read children's books to grades K-4 and also took part in a question and answer session with the 5thand 6thgrade classes on the student-athlete experience and what it means to be a student-athlete at the collegiate level.
"This is something that is important to us as a program and I think giving back to the community by being role models to the local elementary students can make an impact on us as a program and on our community as a whole", said Smith.
The students at Eden Central School took time to ask questions about the commitment level and hard work it takes to earn a position on a collegiate sports team and also learned more about the commitment level it takes in the classroom and how athletics is a stepping stone to building your career in life after being a collegiate athlete.
"I want to thank Principal Melinda Mascolino and the classroom teachers that allowed us to come in and share this experience", said Smith. "We look forward to continuing this program in the upcoming weeks at other local elementary schools".
Tuesday's event at Eden Central School is just the first stop for the men's basketball program as they will continue the Read Aloud community service project in the following weeks at Johnson Elementary School and Cambridge Elementary School.