Norm the Niner and 49er student-athletes distributed backpacks last week as a part of the Communities in Schools program |
Student-Athletes Share 49er Pride with Local Schools
Oct. 2, 2007
Charlotte, N.C. - Charlotte 49ers student-athletes and Norm the Niner paid a visit to the James Martin Middle School to speak with and distribute backpacks to 100 students last Thursday. The event, a part of the an initiative spearheaded by the Charlotte 49ers Athletic Department, the UNC Charlotte Division of University Relations and Community Affairs and Signature Sports Group, donates 1,100 backpacks to Communities in Schools for distribution among elementary and middle schools in the greater Charlotte/University City area.
On Sept. 20, eleven student-athletes headed out to James Martin Middle School, started things off with an excited group of sixth-grade students as Ian Andersen, Ashley Wiley, Jelaine Sellers, and Morris LeBlanc gave an inspired talk on the importance of education. This was followed by Norm, armed with mini soccer balls, being introduced to the group and individual breakout sessions with the student-athletes, which included the backpack distribution along with an autograph session.
"Communities In Schools and James Martin Middle School were delighted to host the visit from the Charlotte 49ers Athletic Department," said May Johnston, Community Relations Director with Communities In Schools, a dropout prevention program that supports students in CMS schools. "The UNC Charlotte students were great with our students, encouraging them to pay attention in class and do well in school so they can go to college later. The backpacks were a big hit, too. UNC Charlotte definitely has a new fan club of 100 sixth-graders from James Martin Middle."
Communities In Schools (CIS) is the largest dropout prevention organization in the United States. CIS champions the connection of needed community resources with schools to help young people successfully learn, stay in school, and prepare for life.
