Marietta men’s basketball renews “Dream to Read” program for 12th consecutive year
Participants invited to Saturday’s game against John Carroll

Jan. 8, 2009
MARIETTA, Ohio — Wednesday (Jan. 7) morning marked the 12th straight year that the Marietta College men’s basketball team brought the national “Dream to Read” program into local elementary schools.

17 Pioneer players and the coaching staff visited 400 students at Harmar Elementary, Phillips Elementary and Washington Elementary. The players, who split up into groups, selected 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 this Saturday’s 3 p.m. game against John Carroll University. Marietta will recognize the students that attended at halftime for their participation in the program.

Former Trinity (Texas) coach Charlie Brock originally started the “Dream to Read” program. 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.

Marietta men's basketball participated in the "Dream to Read" program on Wednesday at local elementary schools.