LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, PA. (November 11, 2008) – The Lincoln University of Pennsylvania athletics department hosted a “Lunch Bunch” activity with the Sacred Heart Academy of Oxford on Monday morning. The fourth grade of Sacred Heart Academy elementary school came to Manuel Rivero Hall for a day of introductions, information, and of course some athletic fun. (VIEW PHOTO GALLERY)
The day began with an introduction from the Lincoln University Director of Athletics, Dianthia Ford-Kee who opened up her arms, and the facilities, to a group of eager young students.
“I thought it was an excellent day of events for the youth of our community,” Ford-Kee said.”
The student-athletes of Lincoln followed Ford-Kee. Numerous members of the different athletic teams introduced themselves and then took the group of about 40 students into different groups and gave tours of the facility and playing fields. Each group had about six youngsters and they started at different areas of the gymnasium.
“It was nice,” said sophomore women's basketball player and finance major DeJuana Mosley. “I had a lot of fun hanging with the kids. They really seemed interested with all of their questions. We definitely need to do it again.”
They all started in the auxiliary gym where the entire day began and finished. Then the groups dispersed to take tours of the swimming pool, equipment room, locker rooms, and training room. Every Sacred Heart Academy student enjoyed the time they spent in the weight room where they were running on treadmills, using the stair masters, and pumped some iron using different kinds of equipment throughout the afternoon.
Along with the weight room, everyone, including the student-athletes at Lincoln and even some of the coaching staff, enjoyed some time in the bowling alley rolling balls down all eight lanes and laughing and giggling at each gutter ball and knocked down pin.
Each of the groups enjoyed some time shooting some baskets in the man gymnasium where both men's and women's basketball teams compete as well as the women's volleyball team. And finally, everyone made their way outside to the soccer field and track and all of the fourth graders took some laps around the track and kicked a few soccer balls into both nets on the field.
“I had one of the best times with the kids period,” junior baseball player Omar Ongay said. “I felt a connection with all of them and they weren't shy to ask questions at all. I would love to participate in this activity again.”
The day's events ended with all of the Lincoln Lion student-athletes signing autographs for the young boys and girls. They all gathered in one long line to have bookmarks, small plastic footballs, and t-shirts made up for the day signed by some twenty student-athletes from all the sports. When “Mr. LU” the Lions mascot came out to greet everyone, each of the future stars got a hug and an autograph from the friendly feline while taking a break from eating some chips and pizza.
“The kids were wonderful,” junior women's basketball player and health science major Chanelle Harris said. “They were full of energy and made me miss being a fourth grader again. It was real fun and we felt like celebrities.”
From one of the Academy's teachers' point of view, “The day was a great experience and the kids loved the college atmosphere.”
The purpose of the Lunch Bunch is to provide area youth with a greater appreciation of the opportunities and facilities available on the historic Lincoln University of Pennsylvania campus. Invitations are extended to elementary schools in the surrounding community.
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