CONWAY, Ark.– Coaching for Literacy (CFL) is excited to add the University of Central Arkansas men’s basketball team to its list of Assistant Coach Program partners for the 2014-2015 season.
The concept of the Assistant Coach Program with UCA is simple: A $10 donation enters an individual into a raffle where the winner and a friend get to be “Assistant Coaches” with the UCA Bears for a home basketball game against Stephen F. Austin on Tuesday, Jan. 13. A pregame meal with the team, courtside access, admittance to the locker room, autographed memorabilia, and UCAattire, provided by CFL partner Peter Millar, are just some of the perks provided for the raffle winners. All proceeds are then reallocated by CFL to its effective literacy partners both in Conway, Ark. and Memphis, Tenn.
“Twenty percent of Americans read below the level needed to earn a living wage,” said Ryan Viner, executive director of Coaching for Literacy. “This statistic is one of many, which illustrates that our fellow community members are fighting against a major problem – illiteracy. The University of Central Arkansas, Head Coach Russ Pennell, and the UCA Athletic Department are committed to raising the level of awareness about the problem and being part of the solution through Coaching for Literacy’s Assistant Coach Program. We are grateful for their partnership and hope many more programs follow their leadership.”
“Education has always been a top priority for me and our basketball program,” said UCA Bears head coach Russ Pennell. “The basic fundamental of learning is the ability to read and comprehend. That is why I am so excited about being involved with Coaching for Literacy. It brings awareness to an alarming problem in our country; the ability to read, and it also provides solutions. These are the type of causes we endorse and support as the UCA Basketball Family.”
The Conway literacy partner is Child Care Aware of Northcentral Arkansas. “Child Care Aware of Northcentral Arkansas has literacy and learning materials available to child care providers who work with young children. We know that the quality of educational experiences a child receives from birth to five years of age has a direct correlation to future social and academic success,” said Debbie Webb. “We are thankful that CFL and UCA recognize the importance of literacy and early learning efforts and have included Child Care Aware in the fight against illiteracy.”
Interested in fighting illiteracy with the UCA Bears and CFL? $10 of support enters you into a raffle to win a once in a lifetime experience with the UCA Bears. The deadline to enter is Saturday, Jan. 10.
For more information, visit http://coachingforliteracy.org/assets/Coaching-for-Literacy-Assistant-Coach-Program-Guide-UCA.pdf.
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