Monday, March 31, 2003

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (March 31, 2003) - Hundreds of events around the nation will mark April 6, 2002, as the 16th annual National STUDENT-Athlete Day, including activities sponsored by East Tennessee State University. National STUDENT-Athlete Day is America's Day to recognize the academic and community achievements of student athletes.

Each year, ETSU student-athletes reach out to hundreds of youth in the community through our involvement in the Bucs Love Books Reading Initiative; visits to Recreation Centers, community outreach services, and schools; serving as mentors and tutors with communities in schools; sponsoring sports skills clinics; and participating in a countless number of local festivals and community events.

"We are very appreciative of the efforts and accomplishments of our over 300 student-athletes - both in the classroom and in the community," said ETSU Vice President of Administration Dr. Wayne Andrews. "We thank them for everything they do to help the community and represent ETSU."

National STUDENT-Athlete Day honors student-athletes and the network of parents, coaches, teachers, and school systems that make it possible for young people to strike a balance between academic and athletic advancement. The day, established by the National Consortium for Academic & Sports and Northeastern University's Center for the Study of Sports in Society, is co-sponsored by the NCAA and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS).

Throughout the month of April, Buccaneer Student-Athletes will participate in a slate of scheduled events that will involve the community in several facets including sports clinics, on-campus visits by youth teams, Reading Days, School Field Days, hospital and nursing home visits, and working with the local Salvation Army to serve meals.

For more information, contact Kim Reece of the Intercollegiate Athletics Academic Services and Life Skills program, who will be coordinating the events. She can be reached at (423) 439-6439 or reecek@mail.etsu.edu for details. The ETSU athletics web site will have up-to-date schedules of all activities as they are finalized.

BUCCANEER STUDENT-ATHLETE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Monday, March 31, 2003

4 p.m. Proclamation Ceremony
Bill G. Humphreys Bucs Champs Center
220 W Memorial Center

7 p.m. Take Back the Night
Culp Center Auditorium

All Buccaneer teams are encouraged to attend to support Take Back the Night and the efforts to stop violence against women.

Tuesday, April 1, 2003

2 p.m. RED FLAG MATCH
Come out and support the Men's Tennis Team as they take on conference rival Furman in a key match-up.

Wednesday, April 2, 2003

8 a.m. Providence Academy Morning Chapel
Buccaneer Student-Athletes will share their message of the role of athletics in their lives.

11:15 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. Salvation Army Lunch
Student-Athletes will help prepare and serve lunch.

5 p.m. Carver Recreation Center Football
Students from Carver Recreation will tour Memorial Center, meet with players, and observe Buccaneer Spring Drills for the afternoon.

Thursday, April 3, 2003

11:15 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. Salvation Army Lunch
Student-Athletes will help prepare and serve lunch.

5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. Carver Recreation Center

Basketball clinic presented by the Men's and Women's Basketball team

Friday, April 4, 2003

TBA Men's Tennis vs. UTC

Saturday, April 5, 2003

RED FLAG GAME
1 & 3 p.m. Softball vs. UTC

Sunday, April 6, 2003

National Student-Athlete Day
11:30 a.m. Grace Fellowship Church
Student-athletes are encouraged to attend this non-denominational service

1 p.m. Women's Tennis vs. UTC
1 p.m. Softball vs. UTC
TBA Men's Tennis vs. GSU

Other events will be added throughout the month.