The Child Development Center, Library and Athletic Department have teamed up to offer a “CSM Athletes as Readers and Leaders” pilot project.  CSM athletes will read to children in the Child Development Center as a way to encourage reading and discussion about the importance of sports, exercise and academics. The project will also help athletes appreciate their influence as role models and provide them with an on-campus community service project that can be included in their resumes for academic or professional purposes.

Louise Piper, coordinator of child care services, Lorrita Ford, library director, Bret Pollack, head football coach, and Bryan Gerbig, library support specialist, are providing leadership for the project. To date, the sports that have expressed interest in participating include women’s softball, basketball, water polo and swimming, men’s football and water polo. The project will also link football players who are enrolled in the “Writing in the End Zone” learning community. “CSM Athletes as Readers and Leaders” is in the process of being launched this semester.