SID BLOG: NCCU Football Student-Athletes Compete Against Area Youth :: Eagles Visit with Kids at John Avery Boys & Girls Club as Part of

SID BLOG: NCCU Football Student-Athletes Compete Against Area Youth

Eagles Visit with Kids at John Avery Boys & Girls Club as Part of

This kid owned the ping-pong table against the Eagles. (Photo by Kyle Serba)

July 19, 2008

On Friday (July 18), about a dozen NCCU football student-athletes stopped by the John Avery Boys and Girls Club in Durham to visit with local youth taking part in 2008 "Community Take Back" Tour, an event spearheaded by Brian Dawson of K97.5 FM.

The kids were laughing and enjoying themselves as they played billiards, ping-pong and foosball in the game room. That is until the Eagles entered the building.

It was great to see the expression on the kids' faces when the Eagles, including a handful of huge linemen, strolled into the game room wearing their "NCCU Football" T-shirts. The activity-filled room came to a silent halt as the kids stared in awe.

As the Eagles mingled, introduced themselves and challenged the kids to games, the room once again filled with laughter and activity.

My favorite part of the afternoon was watching a young boy defeat one Eagle after another on the ping-pong table. It was quite obvious that ping-pong is not something NCCU head football coach Mose Rison has his guys working on in the off-season.

While this type of community service activity is common for NCCU student-athletes to be a part of, Eagles will be even more visible in the community in the near future.

You see, newly appointed NCCU Athletics Director Ingrid Wicker-McCree, who recently completed her doctoral studies at N.C. State (Congratulations Ingrid!), has made it a point of emphasis that NCCU student-athletes and coaches become more active in the community.

Starting in the fall, each NCCU sports team will partner with a local elementary or middle school or community youth agency to provide regular mentoring throughout the year.

This will be a symbiotic relationship, as NCCU Athletics recognizes its need to give back to the community and local schools and youth agencies have the need for positive role models.

These partnerships will be in addition to the other community service activities the NCCU coaches and student-athletes already take part in.

So be on the look out for the Eagles in your community as they make a difference in the lives of our youth.

Now that's Eagle Pride Amplified !!!