UC Football tackles books with local elementary school

As a child everyone has that special role model they look up to and admire. In today’s society, many athletes don’t realize the impact they have on the lives of children. However, the University of the Cumberlands football program sees the difference that can be made through their efforts to reach out to the local area youth in Whitley County. 
Every year Whitley County Primary School has Career Day. Students are given the chance to dress up like their career of choice and create a booklet about it. University of the Cumberlands Head Football Coach John Bland’s son, Bo Bland, a kindergarten, said he would like to be a professional football player when he grows up. So, in order to help bring his career to life, members of the Patriot football team decided to make a special visit to Whitley Primary and read and talk to some of the classes.
Students in Mrs. Rhodes kindergarten class, Mrs. Davis’ first grade class, and Mrs. Shelley’s second grade class were visited by University of the Cumberlands Patriots Justin Walsh (St. Cloud, Fla.), Madison McCalmon (Ringgold, Ga.), Weston Hazlehurst (Clinton, Tenn.), Matt Spangler (Pigeon Forge, Tenn.), and Kel McCarter (Sevierville, Tenn.) on Friday, Sept. 3, 2010. The players spent the afternoon reading books to the classes and answering their questions about being a football player.
Seniors Madison McCalmon and Justin Walsh have been vital components of the Patriot football team on and off the field. Over the last three years these two seniors have volunteered their services on numerous occasions to touching the lives of children while starting on the Patriots offensive line. The other players making the trip were freshmen that will be looked upon to continue reaching out to children and to help make a difference off the field where sometimes the hardest battles are fought.
“I really enjoy reading to the kids,” said Justin Walsh. “They look up to me as a role model and that makes me feel special and like I’ve made a difference.”
The Patriots home opener will be on Saturday Sept. 18, 2010 against Mid-South Conference Cross-Over Divisional Foe Georgetown College with kickoff scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Cumberlands will honor the football tradition that was established 25 years ago at the half while inducting two into the Athletic Hall of Fame prior to the opening kick.
For more information on the Cumberlands football program or Cumberlands Athletics visit www.cumberlandspatriots.com.