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Raise Your Game

Athletic Department Partners With Waco ISD For Community Involvement




Sept. 5, 2007

As a new school year begins, students of all ages are preparing for the challenges they'll face in the classroom and beyond. For Baylor student-athletes, that means more than just training for tests on and off the field. They'll also be giving back to the Waco community by helping younger students "raise their game."

 

Baylor University Athletics and the Waco Independent School District's Adopt-A-School program have joined forces to create a unique program for Baylor student-athletes to volunteer in Waco's classrooms. The "Raise Your Game" initiative allows the athletes to give back to the local community. It has been a tremendous asset to WISD schools, students and teachers.  The Baylor student-athletes are involved across the district in all elementary schools.

 

Through "Raise Your Game," student-athletes volunteer at local schools by attending special events, reading to students, tutoring, giving motivational speeches and presenting information about their fields of study. This interaction develops maturity and character in the athletes and brings a new world of information and experiences to the students they meet.


 

 

 

"Having the Baylor students on campus is inspiring to our kids - they get to see that college is real and something that is attainable for them," Parkdale Elementary teacher Constance McCracken said. "The kids really feel special, and we are so grateful that the Baylor athletes care about our school".

 

"Raise Your Game" also gives Waco kids the special experience of attending a Baylor game. Baylor donates tickets and concession vouchers to Waco elementary schools to use as incentives and rewards for students. Each school gets its own night at a game where the name of the schools is announced and displayed on the video board. Last year, students attended men's and women's basketball, baseball and softball games. Most of the students have never attended a game and are thrilled to be a part of Big 12 action.

 

"Raise Your Game" truly is a unique initiative in the Waco community and will continue to be a cornerstone of both Baylor Athletics and WISD's Adopt-A-School programs.

 

"This program is about connecting our kids to the community," Sarah Collins, coordinator of the AAS program for WISD said. "Through this partnership with Baylor Athletics, our students have become members of the Baylor family for life."