Jan. 21, 2008
MARIETTA, Ohio — 2008 marked the 11th year that the Marietta College men's basketball team brought the national "Dream to Read" program into local elementary schools.

The Pioneers visited 400 students at Harmar Elementary, Phillips Elementary and Washington Elementary. The players, who split up into groups, were assigned a book to read to each class. They followed it up with a question and answer session where the kids asked questions about college and basketball. The players then signed autographs.

Each student received a special certificate indicating his or her participation in the "Dream to Read" program. They also received a family pass for free admission into Saturday's 3 p.m. game against the Ohio Northern Polar Bears. The students that attend will be recognized at halftime for their participation in the program.

The "Dream to Read" program was originally started by former Trinity (Texas) 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.