The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Valparaiso
Women's Basketball Education Day Was Huge Success
November 25 | Women's Basketball
AKRON, Ohio —The second annual Akron women's basketball Education Day more than doubled its participation this year, according to the Athletics Department marketing team.
Held on Tuesday, Nov. 18, more than 1,000 students and teachers from 19 area elementary schools participated in the field trip to James A. Rhodes Arena. The students were given assignments in advance and were then treated to the women's basketball game against Northern Iowa as well as lunch on the concourse, courtesy of Papa John's and Akron Athletics. During timeouts, teachers competed against each other in hula hoop and dance contests, winning pizza parties for their classes.
"Education Day was a great success," said Eric Stoller, Director of Marketing & Promotions. "Kaitlyn Osborne, along with Candace Smith and the women's basketball staff, worked extremely hard to coordinate this day. It was great to see so many kids at the game having fun and cheering the Zips on to a win."
"We wanted to include the community more in our games," Osborne added. "And showing children everything that The University of Akron has to offer and to entertain them with the idea of attending college. The roar of the children was quite deafening, and it was so exciting."
"It's a great experience, because we can feel their energy when we're playing," said senior forward Sina King. "They are so positive and loud. It really gets us going."
The inaugural Education Day in 2013, the brainchild of women's basketball head coach Jodi Kest, drew approximately 400 students and teachers.
"We love it," Kest said. "It's the second year we've hosted this event. With more than 1,000 students cheering our team on, it was phenomenal. Plus it's about education, too. It's not just about the basketball game; it's about them learning, too. We loved it, and our players enjoyed it. Every year, it gets crazy. Next year we hope this event grows even more."
"These kids really look up to us," King added. "It's an honor that we get to play for them, because I know that some of them are going to be striving to do what I do."
