Orientation for Athletes as Readers and Leaders

This week was orientation week for College of San Mateo student athletes who have signed up to read to young children who attend the campus child care center. The program, Athletes as Readers and Leaders, got off to a great start when two women basketball players toured the child care center. A young boy came up to them and told them that basketball was a guy's sport. He was shocked and totally confused when the girls said they were on the Womans Basketball Team. Apparently, stereotypes are formed very early.

Child Care Services Coordinator Louise Piper, Library Director Lorrita Ford, Woman's Basketball Coach Michelle Warner, and Library Support Specialist Bryan Gerbig kicked off the CSM Athletes as Readers and Leaders Project on May 13 and 14, with a tour and orientation of the Mary Meta Lazarus Child Development Center. CSM athletes will read picture books to children to encourage reading and open a dialog about the importance of sports, exercise and academics. The program will also help athletes appreciate their influence as role models. The program get into full swing over the Summer 2010 Semester.

The program is modeled after the CSLA Athletes as Readers and Leaders program, which was developed by Kate MacMillan in Napa Valley, CA.