For Immediate Release: June 2, 2008
Contact: John Hartrick (hartrick@binghamton.edu)
Phone: 607-777-6800

Bearcats offer advice, encouragement to area school children
Coaches, athletes conclude successful school assembly program

VESTAL, N.Y.– Binghamton University athletics completed its first Wachovia Securities School Assembly Program in 2007-08, with various coaches, administrators and student-athletes visiting 12 elementary schools and talking to nearly 3,500 youngsters.

The program, titled "Healthy Minds and Healthy Bodies," touched on topics such as nutrition, exercise, and teamwork, and included strong messages about bullying, drugs and alcohol.

"You always want to be at the top of your game, whether it's in the class or in sports," assistant women's basketball coach Bernitha Johnson told a packed auditorium of elementary school kids at Whitney Point in May. "You need energy to be at your best. Eat healthy and exercise. Sports requires a great mental and physical challenge. Playing on a team will help you gain discipline and confidence."

"Sports builds relationships," women's soccer player Nicole Montoya added. "You see all different people and learn from them. Everybody is different. Do your thing. Give people a chance and be the best person you can be."

The school program was one of several initiatives that brought BU athletics in touch with the Broome County community. Coaches and student-athletes spent more than 150 hours in elementary, middle and high schools reading, mentoring, and presenting to local youth.

"The students and coaches did a wonderful job speaking to our students," said Tamara Ivan, principal of Chenango Bridge Elementary School. "It was refreshing to see such positive role models speaking about wellness, nutrition and being good citizens in general. Their discussion of being helpers in the community was right in tune with our character education program at our school. The messages were excellent regarding self-responsibility and wellness - it's your life and it's up to you. Our students responded extremely well, with interest and enthusiasm."

This year alone, Binghamton student-athletes dedicated over 500 hours to community service and raised over $37,000 for St. Jude's Cancer Research, which tied for first place in New York State. They spent more than 300 hours helping to raise money for philanthropic causes like cancer research, support for families during the holiday seasons, Habitat for Humanity and underprivileged youth.

In addition, they spent more than 50 hours providing free skill clinics to community youth groups.