Freshman exercise science major Mary Parker Davidson got to be an assistant coach at the men’s basketball game against the University of Missouri last night after she won a raffle through Coaching for Literacy.
Coaching for Literacy Organization receives a check for $13,103 Tuesday night during the men’s basketball game. (Photo by: Taylor Cook)
Coaching for Literacy is a nonprofit group that raises money for literacy efforts across the state by raffling off the opportunity for fans to become an “assistant coach” during a sporting event. It is a program sponsored by athletic departments across the country, with UM starting its chapter last year.
According to the U.S. Department of Education, 19 percent of high school graduates are functionally illiterate. Last year, students decided to do something about it in the Oxford-Lafayette community. The proceeds from the local chapter go towards Leap Frog, The Barksdale Reading Institute and The Children’s Museum of Mississippi to help with illiteracy in the state.
Leap Frog is an after-school tutoring and enrichment program for first, second and third grade at-risk students where UM students regularly volunteer.
President of Coaching for Literacy and junior managerial finance major Matt Bolton headed the initiative on campus.
“This year, we grew our chapter from 15 members to 35 members,” Bolton said. “We have trained tutors this year to help with Leap Frog in Oxford.”
In order to raise money for the cause, Coaching for Literacy held a raffle to be the “assistant coach” during the game last night. This year the raffle raised $13,000.
Davidson, the winner of the raffle, was awarded with court side seats, locker room access, attendance at the post-game press conference, autographed memorabilia, a picture with Ole Miss head coach Andy Kennedy and Ole Miss attire for her and a guest. Davidson brought freshman Alex Wilson to share the experience.
“We got a tour of almost the whole new Pavilion, like locker rooms and media rooms. It has been so much fun—definitely one of the cooler things I have ever done,” Davidson said.
Coaching for Literacy sponsored 20 Leap Frog students from the community to attend the game that were honored during halftime, along with a presentation of checks to the literacy partners.
Michael Holman is a site manager for Coaching for Literacy and a senior English major.
“It was exciting getting to see them take it all in, especially since for a lot of them it was their first Ole Miss game,” Holman said. “They loved being on the court, and I think it meant a lot to them to see how much everyone in the crowd cared about them.”
C Spire, who partnered with Coaching for Literacy, sponsored t-shirts that were given out as fans walked into the game.
Junior English major Conner Adkins is the co-vice president of Coaching For Literacy.
“As we all know, Ole Miss is very passionate about the Athletic program. Fortunately, the Ole Miss student body has a passion for service too,” Adkins said. “The Ole Miss Coaching for Literacy chapter combines the enthusiasm for athletics with the heart of service to provide Ole Miss with a one-of-a-kind philanthropic organization.”
– Tousley Leake
