Marietta men's basketball participates in Dream to Read Week for ninth straight year
Local elementary students who participated will be recognized at Saturday's game

Feb. 16, 2006
MARIETTA, Ohio — For the ninth consecutive year, the Marietta College men’s basketball team was a big hit at area elementary schools as it participated in “Dream to Read” week (Jan. 9-13). Head Coach Doug Foote brought the idea and the program to MC in 1998 and it has been both a learning and rewarding experience for his players.

The Pioneers visited 600 students at Harmar Elementary, Phillips Elementary and Washington Elementary. The players split up into groups and are given an assigned book to read to each class. They follow it up with a question and answer session where the kids ask questions about college and basketball, and then the players sign autographs.

Each student received a special certificate indication his/her participation in “Dream to Read” week. They also received a family pass for free admission into Saturday’s game against the Wilmington Quakers. The students that attended will be recognized at halftime for their participation in the program.

“The players love it,” said Foote. “I think they have a better understanding that as student-athletes they are role models and that these kids do look up to them. It has also taught them a sense of responsibility and the importance of community.”

The “Dream to Read” program was originally started by former Trinity (TX) coach Charlie Brock. Its purpose was to assist the literacy movement in America. The program hopes to motivate and encourage children to read for enjoyment as a lifelong practice. Brock presented the idea to the National Association of Basketball Coaches, and then more programs around the nation started to adopt the “Dream to Read” program.

Coach Foote first heard about the program at a convention in San Antonio. He brought the idea back with him to Marietta, and since then, the Pioneers have participated in the program.

Matt Rumer and Randy Petit read to a class at Phillips Elementary school